Cure Cancer - Dr Melissa Cantley
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself?
I’m Melissa, a Medical Researcher and a mum. I am working as an Early Career Research Fellow as part of the Myeloma Research Laboratory at the University of Adelaide, located at SAHMRI, supported by a NHMRC Early Career Fellowship. I am 35 years old, married to Chris and we have two young boys, William (5) and Alexander (4). I have grown up in Adelaide and love living close to family.
2. What inspired you to become a cancer researcher?
My research prior to joining the Myeloma Research Lab was focused on bone loss diseases such as including periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis to identify new treatment options. My interest in the myeloma research space stemmed from the fact that up to 80% of patients with multiple myeloma experience bone disease with many similar features and cells types that I worked on. Upon commencing in the myeloma field, I was astounded by the knowledge that myeloma patients are only treated when they show signs of organ damage which in many cases can be irreversible. This sparked my interest in understanding changes that occur with progression from pre-cancerous stages to cancerous myeloma and how we may be able to reduce chances of patients actually going on to develop cancer and end organ damage. Entering the area of cancer research really opened up my eyes to the impact of the research that we do and how it directly affects the lives of patients. It really is a rewarding career.
3. What is your favourite thing about being a researcher?
My favourite thing about being a researcher is be able to ask the big questions about human biology and what goes wrong in disease. I love coming up with ideas and different approach of how we can go about exploring and investigating them to provide new understandings of how cancer develops, new ways to identify high risk patients and new treatment options.
4. Are there any challenges you have experienced/that concern you as a female researcher specifically?
Being a part time working mother sure has its challenges! Being able to divide my focus between work and family and not allowing work to overtake is a challenge. I had two periods of maternity leave close together and now working in a part time capacity, there have been impacts on my research productivity and outputs. There have also been many benefits, in that being a mum has also taught me so much and strengthened my skills particularly in organisation, efficiency and time management. I am very realistic about the competitiveness of a research career and am so thankful to have an amazing support network around me both at work and at home which makes things so much easier to juggle.
5. Everyday Cashmere have partnered with Cure Cancer and are donating 10% of every purchase towards cancer research between April 19th – May 9th. Why are partnerships like this important to young researchers like you?
Cure Cancer provides a valuable source of grant funding for early career cancer researchers. This is invaluable when the research grant landscape is so competitive with limited opportunities to obtain successful funding. Supporting Cure Cancer means increased opportunities for them to support early career researchers to undertake projects and make discoveries that have potential to change approaches and outcomes for patients with cancer. Being able to obtain competitive funding during the early stages of career really helps to build your track record and make you competitive for subsequent funding opportunities.
6. Everyday Cashmere are passionate about wellness and sustainability. How do you try to practice wellness in your everyday life?
I try to limit working on weekends and at night so that I am able to spend quality time with my family. I find having time after my children are in bed to relax and unwind is really important. I also enjoy spending time catching up and chatting with close friends and family. I love taking photos to capture moments spent with family and friends.
7.What do you think of your Everyday Cashmere piece and where will you be wearing it?
The everyday cashmere shrug is beautiful, it is such a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down and perfect for wearing on weekends.
8. What is your favourite thing about being a mum?
My favourite thing about being a mum is watching my boys grow and experiencing and learning new things. They are such inquisitive, resilient and loving little individuals. It really helps me to appreciate the small things in life when I see how they react to something they are seeing for the first time or how happy and excited they are when they achieve something or learn something new. Being a mum helps remind me to celebrate the small things and to have as many adventures and experiences together as possible.
9. How will you be celebrating Mother’s Day this year?
I will be celebrating Mother’s Day with my family, my husband and two boys along with mum, mother-in-law and families. We have very close families, and our boys love to spend time with their grandparents and so this will be a day to show them how grateful we are for all the help and support they provide us.
