Internationally recognised cancer researcher Professor Si Ming Man has been appointed the Inaugural Chenhall Chair of Cancer Therapeutics in the QUT School of Medicine.
Professor Man is globally recognised for his research that identified the fundamental and molecular mechanisms triggering inflammation that revealed anti-cancer capabilities of the immune system.
His findings on the immune system in cancer and other diseases have had an impact across multiple fields and have been published in multiple prestigious journals including Cell and Nature, to name a few.
Professor Man said he was excited to be joining QUT as Inaugural Chair.
"In this role, I look forward to engaging with the QUT community and developing collaborative and interdisciplinary programs on cancer therapeutics and immunotherapies, to contribute to the world-leading research ecosystem at QUT,” he said.
Professor Man completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours I, University Medal) at the University of New South Wales in 2007, and a PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2013. He completed postdoctoral training at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital USA in 2016.
On his return to Australia, Professor Man established his independent laboratory as a Level C academic at the Australian National University (ANU), followed by his promotion directly to Professor at Level E in 2019.
He has been awarded more than $20 million in research funding, including two highest ranked NHMRC Fellowships, a CSL Centenary Fellowship, NHMRC Investigator and Synergy grants, and is part of the chief investigator team for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Vaccine Adjuvant Discovery and Development.
Professor Man has been a primary supervisor of 81 staff and students from nine countries and was recognised for his supervision with the ANU Vice Chancellor’s Award and the Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Supervision. His trainees have gone on to become independent group leaders, postdocs, PhD and medical graduates, and Rhodes Scholars.
He has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher across multiple years, his research has been recognised by 30 prizes and honours, including the Australian Academy of Science Gottschalk Medal in 2023, Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science as Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in 2022, and as Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Society for Microbiology.
QUT Executive Dean of Health Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates said Professor Man was leading work that is shaping the future of therapeutics.
"His appointment reinforces QUT's commitment to delivering research with real-world impact,” she said.
"The Chenhall Chair will play a pivotal role in expanding our cancer research capability, attracting outstanding researchers and collaborators, and creating new opportunities for discoveries to progress from the laboratory to clinical trials and, ultimately, to benefit patients and their families."
The William and Hilde Chenhall Research Trust has supported cancer research at QUT since 2015 and is extending support with the newly created Chair in Cancer Therapeutics.
The Chenhall Chair in Cancer Therapeutics will add to the expertise in Queensland to create new opportunities for translational research in Queensland and nationally.
QUT Media contacts:
07 3138 2361 or media@qut.edu.au.
