About SAiGENCI

Our vision

We enable transformative cancer discovery research that is efficiently translated into clinically meaningful strategies and improvements in clinical care to prevent cancer development and improve the lives of patients with cancer.

Our ambition is to drive groundbreaking cancer research in South Australia’s biomedical precinct through enabling South Australia in the growing Australian network of cancer institutes, and national and international cancer research partnerships.

SAiGENCI is founded on a team-science strategy to coordinate the diverse expertise required to both prevent cancer and increase the efficacy of treatments and decrease the burden of cancer care. The SAiGENCI team is comprised of internationally recognised laboratory clinical researchers. The Institute is also collaborating with like-minded centres of excellence across the globe and is part of the global effort to deliver world-class and life-changing treatments and outcomes for cancer patients.

SAiGENCI governance

SAiGENCI is guided by strong, collaborative governance that ensures its research delivers meaningful impact. The Institute is led by a team of research program leads and overseen by an independent Advisory Board, comprising nominees from government, academics and local health networks.

The Board sets and monitors the strategy and policy direction for the Institute, reviews and approves its activities and expenditure, and supports the University in meeting its obligations under the Commonwealth Funding Deed. It is advisory and resides within the overarching framework within the College of Health at Adelaide University.

This combination of leadership and advisory expertise allows the Institute to respond effectively to complex projects, strengthens connections, encourages collaboration, and amplifies the impact of the Institute’s work on communities across Australia.

Professor Brandon Wainwright AM is a skilled molecular geneticist renowned for discovering the genetic pathway that causes most human cancer known as the 'Hedgehog Pathway'. He is Co-Director of the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre at the University of Queensland, Chair of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Robinson Research Institute and serves on the boards governing Australian Genome Research Facility, as well as several national and international scientific review committees including the MRFF Brain Tumour Roadmap Committee.

The primary focus of his current research is brain cancer, but he is also applying his expertise to common cancer generally (particularly skin cancer), and neurodegenerative disease.

Dr Janine Bilsborough is a leading research scientist and immunologist specialising in therapeutic drug development for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. She is widely recognised for her work in precision medicine and her leadership in bridging the gap between academic research and clinical application.

She is currently the Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Drug Development Unit and an Associate Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr Bilsborough is a Scientific Founder and Consultant for several biotech ventures, including SRT Therapeutics Inc. (founded January 2025) and Prometheus Biosciences Inc (2016–2023, acquired by Merck). She previously held senior research roles at major biopharma companies, including Amgen (2009–2012) and ZymoGenetics (2002–2009).

Mr Stirling Griff is an accomplished board director and former Senator for South Australia. Recognised for his longstanding advocacy in medical research, public health and palliative care, he played a central role in securing the Commonwealth Government’s initial funding commitment to establish SAiGENCI within the South Australian Biomedical Precinct. He now serves on the Advisory Board as a Commonwealth Government representative.

Mr Griff brings extensive expertise in public policy, health policy, governance and stakeholder engagement. He has led major national initiatives to improve cancer research funding, advance palliative care policy and support, and strengthen transparency and accountability across IVF, FASD and health system spending.

Professor Michelle Haber AM is Executive Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute and Head of the Experimental Therapeutics Group, as well as a Conjoint Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. She has served as President of the International Advances in Neuroblastoma Research Association and remains a member of its Steering Committee.

Professor Haber’s research is focussed on improving treatment for neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children through identifying molecular targets that drive cancer growth and development, developing new drugs to inhibit the action of these targets, and combining existing and new drug treatments into novel therapeutic approaches.

Professor Ricky Johnstone is the Head of the Gene Regulation Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Centre, Head of the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at the University of Melbourne, and Executive Director of Cancer Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

In his cancer research, Professor Johnstone has used genetic mouse models of hemopoietic malignancies and solid tumours to understand the epigenetic changes that underpin tumour onset and progression, and develop new therapies that target epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory proteins.

Dr Emma McCahon is Chief Executive Officer of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN). Starting her career in health as a paediatrician, Dr McCahon has held senior executive roles in large health services across metropolitan and regional areas over the past 20 years. She has extensive leadership experience that draws the expertise and experience of people on the ground and focuses on building the capability of our workforce.

In addition to her clinical training, Dr McCahon has invested in building her leadership skills through completing a Graduate Certificate in Change Management, an Executive MBA, completing the advanced training program in quality and safety at Intermountain Healthcare and an executive coaching certificate.

Professor Anton Middelberg is Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research and Innovation at Adelaide University.

Professor Middelberg is an internationally recognised research and thought leader in chemical and biomolecular engineering. His research is fundamental but directed toward significant problems including in the health and advanced biomanufacturing sectors. Professor Middelberg has researched, patented and licensed new technologies in the fields of rapid vaccine scale-up, soft condensed matter and bio-nanotechnology, including for cancer immunotherapy.

Andrew Roberts AM is Cancer Theme Co-Leader at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, a clinical haematologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Metcalf Chair of Leukaemia Research at the University of Melbourne. Alongside his extensive leadership experience, he is currently a Director of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance and chairs the Life Saving Drug Program Expert Panel for the Australian government.

Professor Roberts’ laboratory and clinical research pioneered the way for venetoclax, the first in a new class of targeted anti-cancer drug, to become a routine treatment for selected leukaemias. For this work, he and colleagues have received multiple awards, including the Prime Ministers Prize for Innovation in 2019.

Professor Andrew Zannettino is Pro Vice Chancellor, College of Health at Adelaide University. He is a Professor of Experimental Haematology and co-directs the Myeloma Research Laboratory within the Precision Cancer Medicine Theme at the South Australian Health Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), focussing on identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of myeloma disease progression and myeloma-associated bone loss. In addition, he is a founding member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Group (MSAG) of the Myeloma Australia, the peak body in Australia focused on PBAC submissions, guidance documents and advocacy for myeloma.

With strong connection to industry, Professor Zannettino is a recognised leader in the field of mesenchymal stem cell biology and holds numerous patents covering the composition and regenerative properties of Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPCs), a rare cell population present in many postnatal tissues. The family of patents underpin the world’s largest cell therapy company, Mesoblast Ltd. In addition, Andrew serves on the Executive Management Group for the Cancer Council and is a non-executive director of AusHealth Pty Ltd and a member of a number of intramural and extramural boards.