Robert Thomas

Biography

 Professor Robert J S Thomas, OAM is the Chief Cancer Advisor to the Victorian Government and Chair of the Advisory Board of Cancer Australia. He is co-chair of the National Cancer Expert Reference Group. As past Chair of the Victorian Cancer Agency he was instrumental in funding a cancer research program in Victoria. Professor Thomas is passionate about cancer reform, working to provide all Victorians with the benefits of multidisciplinary care, appropriate psychosocial support for cancer patients and carers, and access to the best translational research.  He has implemented an innovative Cancer Service Framework for Victoria over the past decade which has created a new system of care for cancer suffers in that State. Professor Thomas holds positions on many State and Federal government cancer-related committees and brings a wealth of experience as both a cancer surgeon and researcher.  He is the previous Director of Surgical Oncology and interim CEO at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, in Melbourne, Australia. He has been heavily involved in the development of cancer reforms within Australia, serving as President of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Chair of the National Committee creating the Colorectal Cancer Guidelines, and a member of the Ministerial Taskforce on Cancer. He was instrumental in the development of the discipline of Surgical Oncology in Australasia and initiated the creation of the Surgical Oncology Group within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.  He is a past long-time Editor-in-Chief of the ANZ Journal of Surgery, and has served as Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council panels.  Professor Thomas has ongoing research interests in the molecular pathology of gastrointestinal tumors. He is currently Chair of the international WISH (World innovation Summit on Health) Forum entitled Delivering Affordable Cancer Care.

Research Interest

 HPV and Cervical Cancer Imaging and Interventional Radiology Cancer Research and Immuno-Oncology