About Us
Sydney Blood Cancer Research Institute is a charity which supports laboratory research, clinical research, supportive care research and the provision of specialised care to haematology patients.
The board consists of highly specialised clinical and research staff who are affiliated with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown and several experts from external organisations creating a rich, diverse and responsive panel to progress, accelerate and facilitate improved patient outcomes, quality care, choice and service delivery.
Our People
Professor P. Joy Ho
MBBS (Syd) DPhil (Oxon) FRACP FRCPA FFSc(RCPA)
Professor Joy Ho is Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney and a Senior Staff Specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She has had a long history of working in myeloma, with interests in the molecular pathophysiology, immunopathology and clinical trials. Professor Ho was the President of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand 2013 -2015.
Professor Harry Iland AM
MBBS (Hons) FRACP FRCPA MHGSA
Professor Iland is a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney and a Senior Staff Specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. His major clinical and laboratory passion has been the investigation and management of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), and he has been responsible for the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) clinical trial program in APL since 1997.
Dr Christian Bryant
BSc MBBS PhD FRCPA FRACP
Dr Christian Bryant is a Staff Specialist and research fellow at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with major interests in Multiple Myeloma, Amyloidosis, T cell lymphoma and Transplantation.
After finishing a PhD in the immunology of Multiple Myeloma at Sydney University he returned to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital to Prof Ho’s Myeloma Research Group. In both laboratory and clinical studies, he continues to work on T cell biology and the development of new therapies in Myeloma, as well as novel approaches to measure minimal residual disease and the develop patient-tailored response-adapted treatment.
Associate Professor Stephen Larsen
Associate Professor Stephen Larsen is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and a Senior Staff Specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
He is head of the SLHD Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit as well as the Apheresis Unit. He undertook a PhD in stem cell mobilisation at the Centenary Institute through the University of Sydney and has research interests in methods to improve stem cell transplantation and graft versus host disease.
Dr Alberto Catalano
PhD
Dr Alberto Catalano is a Principal Hospital Scientist and Laboratory Manager in the Haematology Laboratory at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He has over 25 years of experience in molecular haematology.
His research interests are in the molecular biology of myeloid malignancies.
Dr Catalano completed his PhD supervised by Prof Harry Iland on the molecular and computational analysis of gene rearrangements in acute leukaemia.
Professor John Gibson AM
MBBS (Syd) PhD (Syd) FRACP FRCPA FFSc (RCPA)
John Gibson is Consultant Emeritus Haematologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital having previously been Director of the Institute of Haematology and the Allan Ng Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney.
In addition to his ongoing involvement with SBCR he is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, the Scientific Advisory Group of Myeloma Australia, the Steering Committee of the Australian Aplastic Anaemia Registry, The National Blood Authority’s Immunoglobulin Advisory Group, the Myeloma and Lymphoma Scientific Subcommittees of the Centre for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation and a member of the Professional Services Review Panel Medicare.
Ms Tracy King
PhD MN RN
Tracy King is a Myeloma Clinical Nurse Consultant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor and Lecturer at the Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney University.
With over 30 years’ experience in the field of Haematology / BMT, Tracy developed a specialist interest in myeloma 20 years ago working with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), now Myeloma UK.
Mr Viswanathan Narayanaswamy (Vishy)
Viswanathan Narayanaswamy (Vishy) is a Chartered Accountant by profession with extensive experience in audit, accounting advisory and tax for over 20 years in India and Australia. Vishy is a member with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He is also a member of The Tax Institute and a registered tax agent with the Tax Practitioners Board. He currently works as an Executive Manager with the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation and is a board member with Rare Voices Australia, the national peak body for Australians living with a rare disease.
Speed Family Representative
Family representative of the late Mr Robin Speed LLM OAM, Founding Director of Sydney Blood Cancer Research Institute. Robin was a highly respected and gifted Australian lawyer who not only excelled in his legal career, but was passionate in the many interests he promoted for the good of the community and he was instrumental in the establishment of Sydney Blood Cancer Research Institute.
In 2016, Robin was crucial in guiding and mentoring Haematologists at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for the Sydney Blood Cancer Research Institute to be established and registered as a charity, to support research and clinical trials – with the aim of improving the outcomes for Haematology patients, to advance our knowledge of blood cancers, and to allow the opportunity to develop additional skill sets for staff who conduct research and care for patients in Haematology.
With his vast experience in the set-up of not-for-profit organisations, Robin guided us, providing not only advice on governmental regulations and ensuring all due processes were followed, but assisted us in formulating an appropriate structure with Board, administrator, financial oversight, as well as patrons and ambassadors. Robin took a keen interest in our laboratory and clinical research, and was always excited about our new projects and directions. For Robin, strategic thinking was the key to success and effectiveness. In his work on the Board, nothing was ever too difficult or insurmountable, an approach we adopted as a team to great benefit, for our patients, our staff and projects.
In particular, Robin had the unique skill of being able to assess a situation, provide advice and a practical solution. For example, Robin would identify the skill set we required at a given time, and then tap into his networks to find an appropriate contact. His success is reflected in the fact that the individual talents he identified for us all remain connected to our organisation. His kindness, discernment and loyalty will always be remembered.
We are honoured to have a Speed family representative to continue to guide and support Sydney Blood Cancer Research Institute to assist us in our goals and objectives