Dr Christopher Scarlett

Biography

I undertook my Bachelor of Science (Hons I) studies at the University of Newcastle. I then completed my PhD through the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine where I established a novel proteomic initiative with the specific aim of using proteomics as a tool to answer clinically relevant questions. Using this approach I identified unique markers of pancreatic and bile duct cancer by creating powerful new diagnostic models for the improved diagnosis of pancreatico-biliary malignancies. I then continued my interest in pancreatic cancer research by joining the Pancreatic Cancer Research Group at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in 2007. In my early post-doctoral years, I was awarded an NHMRC Postdoctoral Training Fellowship (Peter Doherty) and was funded as a Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Development Fellow at the Garvan Institute. My research interests primarily focussed on signalling pathways in pancreatic cancer to identify novel therapeutic and chemopreventative strategies, as well as defining the role of bone marrow derived cells in the development of the normal pancreas, pancreatic injury and regeneration, and pancreatic cancer. Recognition of these contributions included a feature article in the CINSW Cancer Research Achievement Report 2008; A celebration of the outstanding contributions made to cancer research in NSW. I am also is a Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellow investigating novel therapeutic approaches to pancreatic cancer, and was awarding the Cancer Research Network Innovation Award (Sydney Cancer Conference 2010). I am also investigating the personalised treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer based on genomic sequence data acquired through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative, as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium. I moved to the University of Newcastle in early 2012 to take a position within the School of Environmental and Life Sciences,and am now driving a research program investigating aberrations in nutrient-gene interactions to define clinically relevant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer, as well as examining the efficacy of bioactive compounds as novel therapeutics in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Sydney, 2007
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 2000
• Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle, 1999

Research

Research keywords

• Carcinogenesis
• Metastases
• Mouse Models
• Novel Therapeutics
• Pancreatic Cancer

Research expertise

My research interests have primarily focused on signalling pathways in pancreatic cancer to identify novel therapeutic and chemopreventative strategies, as well as defining the role of bone marrow derived cells in the development of the normal pancreas, pancreatic injury and regeneration, and pancreatic cancer. I am also investigating novel therapeutic approaches to pancreatic cancer in addition to investigating personalised treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer based on genomic sequence data acquired through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative, as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). Upon my move to the University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, I have been investigating aberrations in nutrient-gene interactions to define clinically relevant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer, as well as examining the efficacy of bioactive compounds as novel therapeutics in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Collaboration

I am an Associate Investigator for the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Network, based at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, which provides direct links to the clinical management of patients facilitating rapid translation of scientific discoveries to patient care, providing a unique opportunity for translational research efforts in pancreatic cancer in Australia. I am also contributing to the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative (APGI), which aims to sequence ~400 individual pancreatic cancers as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). I have been awarded project grant funding through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme, co-funded by Cancer Australia and the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation (CIA; 2012-1013). I am also a Co-Investigator on a successful NHMRC program grant ($11,128,320; 2009-2013), and a Co-Chief Investigator on successful project grants through the NHMRC (CI-B; 2011-2013) and The Cancer Council NSW (CI-C; 2010-2012) in collaboration with Dr Tao Liu at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia.

Languages

• English

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Cancer
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Chemical Biology

Group

• Nutrition Food and Health Research Group

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Research Methods

Teaching expertise

I have been involved in coordinating and teaching core courses for the Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Program, in particular BIOL2011 - Fundamentals of Biology and Biochemistry; and FSHN2100 - Microbiology, Food Safety and Immunology.