Scholar award for cancer researcher

Dr Katie Dixon, 26, of Umina Beach, was recently presented with the Outstanding Cancer Research Scholar Award for 2008 at the Cancer Institute NSW Premiers Awards.

The awards were held at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre, Sydney.

Minister for Science and Medical Research Ms Verity Firth, medical research scientists and many other health professionals were in attendance.

The scholar of the year is awarded to a Cancer Research Institute NSW supported scholar who has demonstrated significant achievement and progress in their research over the previous year.

Dr Dixon, who recently completed her doctorate at the University of Sydney's Bosch Institute, was recognised for her research on ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer.

Her study was the first to demonstrate a role for vitamin D compounds in reducing tumour formation and skin cancer progression.

"Cancer touches us all," Dr Dixon's brother-in-law Kyle Williams said.

"The current lifetime risk of being diagnosed with cancer in NSW is one in two for men and one in three for women

"Dr Dixon is fully committed in continuing her research into the causes responsible for this disease.

"Reducing cancer incidence and the associated morbidity is her number one priority."

The $10,000 prize which accompanied the award will be used for ongoing cancer research.

Press release, 17 Jun 2008 Kyle Williams