The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) research program supports collaborative research and currently has partnerships with clinical and research institutions both nationally and internationally. This is an integral part of the core business.
We believe successful collaboration among researchers and other health care stakeholders leads to innovation in research and more rapid translation into clinical practice. The Institute maintains relationship, with The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) and Western Sydney Local Health District Research & Education Network and works together towards improving community healthcare and advancing medical research.
The research program at BCI comprises broad research streams investigating the development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of early-stage breast cancer through investigator-initiated research projects. We also participate in industry sponsored clinical trials that allows us to access treatment that otherwise may not be available to patients. In doing this we are also contributing towards better understanding of disease process and treatment advancement for the future.
Research streams and lead clinicians
| Stream | Lead clinicians |
| Breast Surgery | Elisabeth Elder / James French /Farid Meybodi |
| Axilla | Elisabeth Elder / James French /Farid Meybodi |
| Pathology & Prognostic factors | Nirmala Pathmanathan |
| Radiotherapy | Kirsty Stuart / Tim Wang |
| Behavioural Medicine & Health Psychology | Geaty Hamid |
| Breast Screening | Nirmala Pathmanathan / Susan Grayson |
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
All research undertaken at the BCI is governed by the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC conduct a clinical review of all proposed research projects undertaken at BCI.
RAC members assist in the review of project proposals. They are also responsible for overseeing the efficient conduct of each study within their area of specialty according to good clinical practice guidelines ensuring appropriate milestones are achieved.
BCI Research Team
- Director of Research (chair) – A/Prof Elisabeth Elder
- BCI Service Director – A/Prof Nirmala Pathmanathan
- Strategic Operations Director – Masrura Kabir
- Research Operations Director – Shashi Prasad
- Research Nurses – Vasumathy Varadarajan and Jobelle Ruiz
- Study Coordinators – Surabhi Bhargava, Chelsea Hendy and Mona Oudi
- Data Officer – Anuradha Jayaseelan
- Health Psychologist – Geaty Hamid
- Representative from radiation Oncology- Dr Kirsty Stuart and Dr Tim Wang
- Representative from medical oncology – Dr Phuong Dinh and Dr Anuradha Vasista
- Representative from Westmead Institute of Medical Research – Dr Dinny Graham
Researchers interested in undertaking research with the BCI
If you are interested in undertaking research with the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, or if you would like to discuss your research project or the approval process with a member of the committee, please email us at BCI-ClinicalTrials@health.nsw.gov.au.
Once the BCI Research committee approves the project, you must obtain ethics approval from a lead Human Research Ethics committee. Usually, we submit our projects to the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for the ethical review, but researchers are free to choose any lead ethics committee. All research conducted at the BCI must obtain site specific assessment approval (SSA) by Western Sydney Local Health District Research Governance Office (RGO) prior to the project commencement post HREC approval. SSA must be obtained for each site.