Our Team

Our Scientific Stream Leaders

Professor Michael Fay, Foundation MHF Chair in Brain Cancer and Centre Director

Professor Mike Fay Photo Credit: Jonathan Carroll © Newcastle Herald/ACM.

Mike brings to the Centre 25 years of clinical oncology and cancer research leadership experience. A dual-trained Medical and Radiation Oncologist, he has particular interest in brain tumours and the development of new imaging and treatment techniques.

Mike completed his undergraduate degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Otago and has worked clinically in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the US and spent research time in Germany (Universität Tübingen). He has a PhD in the development and clinical translation of theranostics - a treatment using diagnostic imaging to identify if target receptors are present on cancer cells, followed by precision radiation treatment that target these receptors.

Funded by the Mark Hughes Foundation, Mike was named as the inaugural recipient of the HMRI Mid-Career Research Fellowship dedicated to brain cancer. He is the principal investigator in a number of international cancer and theranostics trials and has research collaborations with investigators in Canada, the UK and Germany.

Mike is also a radiation oncologist at GenesisCare.

Kylie Hugo

Centre Manager

Kylie has been one of the senior managers in the Research Grants team for nearly 12 years. Prior to that she spent 14 years in various research and research management positions in Canada within breast cancer and knowledge translation. Kylie is excited to build the centre profile and reputation of the Centre and to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by brain cancer.

Kylie lost a family member to brain cancer, so the Mark Hughes Foundation is a cause that is close to her heart. The role of Centre Manager will allow Kylie to help the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research achieve its aims both locally and nationally.

Emily Callaghan

Centre Coordinator

Emily is highly focused and efficient with over 5 years of administrative experience. New to the University of Newcastle professional staff and working directly with the Centre Director & Centre Manager, Emily looks forward to assisting with growth in the Centre and being a part of a team working towards finding a cure for Brain Cancer.

A family member passing away from Glioblastoma Multiforme Stage 4 brain cancer was a strong motivation for involvement in the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research. Providing support and coordination as an active member of the centre creates opportunities to ensure that critical research programs are maintained by the MHF Centre and continue to provide support and improve the quality of lives of people living with brain cancer.

Sally Wivell

Centre Coordinator

Sally Wivell is currently in the role of Centre Coordinator while Emily Callaghan is on maternity leave. Prior to joining the team, Sally worked at the University of Newcastle in the Research Advantage team in the Research & Innovation Division.

Sally has extensive experience in event management, administration and organisational management. She welcomed the opportunity to work with the MHF Centre as she saw an opportunity to work collaboratively within a team making a difference in her community and beyond.

She is embracing the opportunity to help with the growth of the Centre and to work alongside the researchers, students and community who are such a key to the Centre’s success.

Linda Drummond

Communications and Engagement Coordinator

Linda is a science communicator with a strong background in health and medical journalism. She has a firm commitment to the work of the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research, an organisation that has its heart in the Hunter and is making a worldwide impact.

Linda has spent the past 10+ years working with researchers, clinicians and their communities at the University of Newcastle, HMRI and HNE Health – and is looking forward to focussing on the incredible work of the team at the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research.

She believes that it’s important that communities can really get to learn more about the vital work they’re funding in brain cancer research and patient support and cannot wait to share the Centre’s work with our communities – wherever they may be.

Trudi Wynne

Consumer & Clinical Trials Coordinator

Lived experience has led Trudi to her current position of Consumer & Clinical Trials Coordinator within the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research.

Trudi has undertaken considerable Consumer training through Cancer Council NSW, Health Consumers NSW, Telethon Kids, and Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners since 2019. She has been actively involved in the NSW Regional Health Partners External Consumer Committee as well as the Sydney Health Partners Consumer Advisory Group.

Trudi has also acted as Consumer Reviewer on behalf of the NHMRC for several MRFF grant rounds. She has a particular interest in working with researchers and other consumers to improve the disadvantage of regional & remote patients and their access to clinical trials and treatment options.

Dr Kelsey Maddison

Early Career Researcher

Kelsey is an early career researcher who submitted her PhD, which investigated abnormal blood vessel development by tumour cells in glioblastoma, at The University of Newcastle earlier this year. Previously, Kelsey completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) at The University of Newcastle.

Kelsey is interested in the glioblastoma microenvironment, the surrounding environment in which the tumour grows, which consists of not only cancer cells but also blood vessels, immune cells, and supporting cell types. Interactions between the tumour cells and the microenvironment drive tumour progression and impact the tumour’s response to treatment. Kelsey’s research aims to understand how the unique aspects of the glioblastoma environment can be targeted to inhibit tumour growth and increase response to cancer therapies.

Dr Nikitas Koussis

Postdoctoral researcher

Nikitas earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2017 and started his career at QIMR Berghofer as a Research Assistant, recruiting and scanning people for research studies into epilepsy and ageing, as well as quality control and analysis for imaging data.

In 2024, he completed his PhD in psychology, using advanced brain imaging and computer-based methods to study psychosis. Nikitas now works as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, where he uses machine learning and large imaging datasets to develop personalised treatments for brain cancer.

Sandy Nixon

Translational Research Coordinator

Sandy Nixon has been an immensely proud Brain Cancer Care Coordinator for the Mark Hughes Foundation for over 8 years and has transitioned to the Translational Research Coordinator role at the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research. Sandy completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle in addition to a Masters in Clinical Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Oncology Nursing.

Sandy is deeply passionate about providing patients and their families with empathy, understanding and the highest quality of care and advocacy during the most traumatic and devastating time of their lives. Sandy’s driving force in this role is to assist in bridging the gap between patients and research in order to improve outcomes sooner and provide hope to those who need it most.

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.