Conference 2026

Programme

NZSO 2026

Programme

Below is a programme outline for the 2026 Conference. Our three days consist of a SIG day on Thursday and two days of plenary sessions. The programme will be updated as sessions are finalised. Programme is current at 28 August and subject to change.

Friday 16 October

Conference day two

7.30am – 5.30pm
Registration desk open
8.30am - 10.30am
He Akoranga Whakahoungia
Mārire Goodall Keynote
Prof Misty Jenkins, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Hāpai te Hauora
Cheryl Davies, Kokiri Hauora and Jeannine Stairmand, University of Otago
10.30am – 11.15am
Morning tea
11.15am – 1.20pm
Session two - Advocacy in Translation
11.20am
International speaker
Prof Tony Mok, Chinese University of Hong Kong

12.00pm
Inclusion of complex immunological analyses in cancer clinical trials in Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr Kirsten Ward-Hartstonge, University of Otago

12.10pm
From Patient Donation to Therapeutic Discovery: Insights from a Rapid Research Autopsy Program in Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer
Dr Karin Schelch, Medical University of Vienna

12.20pm
Characterisation of a ctDNA-based blood test for the detection of colorectal cancer in the symptomatic population
Dr Michael Dunnet, University of Otago

12.30pm - Pharmac Award
Head and Neck Cancer Incidence and Two-Year Mortality in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2009-2020
Dr Angad Chauhan, CCDHB | Te Whatu Ora

12.40pm
Uncovering a New Driver of Glioblastoma: BCL6 Promotes Tumour Growth and Survival
Naychi Myo Min, Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington

12.50pm - Pharmac Award
Multi-Drug Repurposing in Glioblastoma: Exploiting Synergy to Reduce Inter-Patient Variability
Freya Weth, Gillies Mcindoe Research Institute & Victoria University of Wellington

1.00pm - Pharmac Award
Digitial Assessment of Potential Predictive Biomarkers for Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Response in Maori and Pacific Lung Cancer Patients
Grayson Schwalger, University of Auckland

1.10pm - Pharmac Award
Beyond the Genomic Report: Retrospective Analysis of the First 100 Cases Reviewed by Aotearoa New Zealand's National Molecular Tumour Board
Dr Yifei (Faye) Zhu, National Cancer Centre Singapore

12.00pm - 1.20pm
Nursing breakout session
Whānau Voice – a conduit to Co-designing Māori Primary Care Pathways for Earlier Cancer Diagnosis
Gill Potaka-Osborne, Whakauae Research Services & Lucia Gribble, Nurse Practitioner
1.20pm – 2.50pm
Lunch
1.35pm – 2.35pm
Roche Lunch Symposium
Elevating Outcomes: Streamlining Care and Tailoring Treatment in Breast Cancer- Learnings from NZ’s First Funded SC Medicine
2.50pm – 5.00pm
Session three - Advocacy in Innovation
2.55pm
Bruce Cain Memorial Lecture
Prof Robert Weinkove, Malagan Institute

3.35pm
Exploring gastric cancer subtypes to uncover novel therapeutic vulnerabilities
Dr Silke Neumann, University of Otago

3.55pm
mRNA vaccines incorporating NKT cell agonists enhance immunotherapy efficacy in preclinical liver cancer models
Dr Olivia Burn, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

4.05pm
Targeting mitochondrial and epigenetic vulnerabilities in acute myeloid leukaemia
Dr Annika Seddon, University of Otago

4.15pm - Pharmac Award
MRD-Seq: a flexible approach to residual disease monitoring in AML
Mariam Alhilali, University of Auckland

4.25pm - Pharmac Award
Mouse model-guided discovery of secreted biomarkers of early ovarian cancer
Dr Sarah Sczelecki, Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington

4.35pm
Investigating accelerated epigenetic age as a molecular driver of early-onset colorectal cancer
Olivia Damiano, University of Otago

4.45pm
Chemoprevention of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer
Dr Lyvianne Decourtye-Espiard, University of Otago

4.55pm - Pharmac Award
The Incidence of and Mortality from Biliary Tract Cancers in New Zealand: A Population-Based Study, 1997-2023
Dr Vicki Cho, Palmerston North Hospital

3.55pm - 5.00pm
Nursing breakout session
Dr Jo Bird, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
5.00pm – 6.30pm
Poster session
Networking and poster presentations
Saturday 17 October

Conference day three

7.00am – 3.30pm
Registration desk open
7.15am – 8.40am
MSD Breakfast Symposium
8.45am - 10.30am
Session four - Advocacy in Implementation
8.45am
International speaker
Prof Chris Booth, Queen’s University in Kingston - Canada

9.30am
Bowel Cancer New Zealand
Peter Huskinson

9.40am
Bridget Robinson Award Lecture
A/Prof Margaret Currie, University of Otago

10.10am
Building the Foundations of a Person-Centred Exercise Oncology Model of Care in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
Dr Jessica Allan, University of Canterbury

10.20am
Taonga Ora – Advocacy in Action: Patient and Whanau-centred inter-disciplinary outpatient cancer support enabling equal access to standard Cancer Care
Dr Scott Babington, Canterbury Regional Cancer and Blood Service

10.30am - 11.15am
Morning tea
11.15am - 1.00pm
Session five - Advocacy in care delivery
11.20am
Post-Treatment Immune Related Toxicity: The Long Term Impact for Patients
Jo Bird, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

12.00pm
Patients can't wait: Acting whilst the system takes time to change
Lou James, Pinc and Steel

12.20pm
From Bench to Belonging - A Relational Approach to Translational Cancer Research
CRTNZ NZSO Award winner Nikki Ross, University of Otago

12.30pm
Nga Hua o te Hononga: The Impact of a Maori Radiation Therapist Specialist in Oncology
India Mikaere-Girvin, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha

12.40pm
Te Puawaitanga Tuatahi: Ko te mana o nga wahine -The Management of Breast Cancer Risk in HDGC Whanau
Gemella Reynolds-Hatem, University of Otago

12.50pm - Pharmac Award
Pharmacist-Led Stewardship to Reduce Intravenous Cancer Treatment Drug Wastage in a Secondary Care Hospital: A Model for Equitable and Sustainable Cancer Care in Aotearoa
Gihwan Song, Lakes Health New Zealand

1.00pm – 2.30pm
Lunch
1.15pm – 2.15pm
GSK Lunch Symposium
Advancing Personalised Care in Women’s Cancers
2.30pm - 4.00pm
Session six - Common Sense Oncology
2.35pm
Common Sense Oncology Panel
Facilitated by Prof Chris Jackson
Panel: Prof Chris Booth, Queen’s University in Kingston -Canada
Edmond Ang, University of Auckland
Christina Edmond, CNS
Cheryl Davies, Kokiri Hauora

3.40pm
Roche Fellowship presentation
4.00pm - 4.15pm
Conference closing
4.15pm
NZSO AGM
6.30pm – Midnight
Conference dinner
Evening celebration and networking event
Theme: OSCARS: Oncology Scientific Cancer Care And Research Super Stars