Professor Grant McArthur to drive even better patient outcomes as inaugural Lorenzo Galli Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers

Source: Peter Mac, August 2014

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s Professor Grant McArthur will spearhead a new era of Victorian melanoma and skin cancer research following his appointment as the inaugural Lorenzo Galli Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers.

Professor McArthur: Chair, Melanoma and Skin Service and Co-Head, Cancer Therapeutics Program at Peter Mac (pictured, second from right) was selected from an international field for the position, established at The University of Melbourne through a generous $5m gift from Mrs Pamela Galli (pictured, second from left), in honour of her husband, Mr Lorenzo Galli, who died as a result of melanoma.

Ms Dale Fisher: Chief Executive (pictured, left) says Mrs Galli’s generous gift will enable Professor McArthur, to guide, via a formal structure, the efforts of some of the best and brightest minds in skin cancers and melanoma in the state.

‘While we have made great advances in skin cancer and melanoma research, far too many people succumb to their disease — we know the best plan of attack is to work together and this appointment will enable Professor McArthur to strategically focus the efforts of skin cancer and melanoma clinicians and researchers from across the seven organisations that comprise the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance.’

Professor McArthur says melanoma and skin cancers are biologically complex and remain a large health burden, requiring a concerted response to improve outcomes for patients.

‘I am proud to be the inaugural Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers and this gift from Mrs Galli will allow us to build stronger research programs, teach the next generation of doctors and refine better treatments to accelerate the survival rates of these insidious diseases, for the benefit of people across the globe.’

Also pictured, right, is Professor Stephen Smith: Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne.