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Dr. Moana Tercel
The team is creating a new, easier way to make powerful cancer-fighting drug ingredients so they can be used in the next generation of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). Building on earlier BCC-funded research, their work helps position New Zealand scientists at the cutting edge of future cancer treatment development.
Read moreDr. Hossein Jahedi
Researchers have discovered immune cells that “shield” triple-negative breast cancer from chemotherapy, making it harder to treat—especially for Māori and Pacific women. This project will figure out how these cells work and how to block them, helping doctors predict treatment response and improve outcomes.
Read moreDr. Thiranja Prasad Babarenda Gamage
An AI tool is being developed to read breast MRI scans in under 30 seconds, helping doctors spot and understand breast tumours faster and more accurately. It will reduce delays, ease radiologists’ workload, and improve outcomes for women across Aotearoa, especially Wāhine Māori.
Read moreDr. Maxine Ronald
Dr. Ronald’s three-year fellowship aims to address breast cancer inequities for Māori and Pacific women by building Māori research leadership, improving screening participation, and implementing culturally responsive interventions to reduce mortality rates.
Read moreAssociate Professor Anita Dunbier
Inherited genetic factors play a role in the risk of many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Researchers have discovered a particular genetic variant associated with an increased risk of breast and other cancers.
Read moreDr. Yue Wang
Breast cancer is hard to treat, partly due to two hormones, GH and prolactin, which help tumours grow. Current drugs only block one hormone at a time, with limited success. This project aims to develop a treatment that blocks both hormones to slow tumour growth and improve outcomes.
Read moreDr Annette Lasham
Investigating Breast Cancer Detection Disparities and the Cost-effectiveness of an Expanded Screening Programme in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Nicholas Knowlton
Breast cancer is a major health concern that often goes undetected until it's too late, particularly among Māori and Pacific women in New Zealand. Our new research project aims to change that by using advanced Artificial Intelligence to analyze mammograms more precisely. The focus is on 'breast density,' a factor that can hide cancer from traditional screenings and is an independent risk factor.
Dr Magdalena Ratajska
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for up to 20% of all breast cancer cases. For nearly half of all TNBC patients, their cancer will spread, frequently to the brain. Notably, for TNBC patients the spread to the brain happens earlier than in other breast cancers, which reduces both quality of life and life expectancy. Sadly, once the cancer has spread to the brain treatment options are limited, have severe side effects, and often only give minor improvements in overall survival.
Dr Christoph Goebl
A new class of anti-cancer drugs called CDK-inhibitors has recently entered the international market and PHARMAC funds these drugs for specific breast cancer treatments in Aotearoa New Zealand. These novel compounds are highly efficient and greatly expand our ability to treat this deadly disease. Nevertheless, only about one third of patients respond positively to this drug treatment and unfortunately, there is no predictive measure of which patients will benefit.