UNSW children’s cancer researcher appointed AIMBE Fellow
31 March 2025
Professor Maria Kavallaris was inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows in Virginia, USA.
Photo: Supplied
Professor Maria Kavallaris has been recognised by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), which represents the most accomplished individuals in the fields of medical and biological engineering.
UNSW Sydney Professor Maria Kavallaris AM has been elected a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), putting her among the top 2% of medical and biological engineers globally.
The fellowship to the prestigious institute, which was announced in Virginia, USA this week, honours her pioneering interdisciplinary research in cancer biology and therapeutics.
Prof. Kavallaris has dedicated her career to developing safer and less invasive treatments for children with cancer. She was inspired to work in the field when, aged 21, she was diagnosed with cancer and endured many rounds of aggressive treatment.
“I had the privilege of meeting many kids who were receiving the same type of treatment, and I knew then that I wanted to be a scientist, finding better ways to diagnose and treat paediatric cancer patients that were less invasive and toxic.”
As the Founding Director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine at UNSW and Head of Translational Cancer Nanomedicine at the Children’s Cancer Institute, Prof. Kavallaris is internationally recognised for her scientific leadership.
She is best known for identifying how tumour cells become resistant to commonly used chemotherapy drugs and how this resistance can be reversed. Her innovative research is also dedicated to designing pathways for nanotechnology to package and deliver therapy to cancer cells.
Professor Kavallaris said she was grateful to see her contributions acknowledged by the AIMBE.
“Being inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows is a profound honour,” she said.
“This recognition of my work at the interface of cancer, chemistry and engineering is incredibly meaningful, and it motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of medical and biological engineering.”
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Research is not an individual endeavour and where I am today is because of all the wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring, training and collaborating with.
From cancer survivor to expert in her field
Prof. Kavallaris says her experience as a cancer survivor has had a profound influence on her research.
“I had a lot of toxic side effects throughout the treatment, just like a lot of kids do,” she said.
She said she witnessed many other children and young people go through a similar journey.
“And I thought, look, these kids get dragged to the hospital by their loving parents and (they’re) thinking ‘why are you putting me through this?’
“And I knew we had to be able to do things better.”
A push to change the statistics
When asked what keeps her motivated, Prof. Kavallaris says that despite advancements to date, there’s still a long way to go. “We can’t be complacent in our work. We’re excited about what we’re doing and even if the impact is small, every little progress adds up to make a difference,” she said.
She said that becoming a Fellow of the AIMBE means more opportunity for advocacy for her research and people with cancer.
“The recognition that comes with this fellowship will give me the authority to speak to people and represent the groups who need it,” she said.
“Research is not an individual endeavour and where I am today is because of all the wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring, training and collaborating with.”
UNSW Dean of Medicine & Health, Professor Cheryl Jones, extended her congratulations to Prof. Kavallaris on the recognition.
“Being elected a fellow of the AIMBE is an incredible honour and Maria is truly deserving of this achievement,” Prof. Jones said.
“Her work in cancer nanomedicine offers hope to children affected by aggressive cancers, and their families.
“We’re thrilled to see her recognised by her peers at the top of this field and I am excited to see what the future holds, both for Maria’s research and for the future of nanomedicine.”
AIMBE fellowship is a peer-nominated election process, and candidates must have made a significant contribution to medical and biological engineering research, pedagogy or practice. Fellows also need to be prominent in professional societies, public service or advocacy.
Throughout her career, Prof. Kavallaris has received many accolades for her work. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW. In 2019 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to medicine and medical research in the field of childhood and adult cancers and, in 2020, she was named NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year.
