At TOGA, we are dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by lung cancer and thoracic malignancies. By bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical practice, we ensure that the most promising treatments reach the patients who need them most.
TOGA’s Scientific Committee serves as the strategic engine for these research initiatives. Comprising experts across various disciplines, the committee is responsible for:
Research Oversight: Reviewing and prioritising clinical trial proposals to ensure they meet the highest standards of scientific and clinical relevance.
Strategic Direction: Identifying emerging trends and gaps in lung cancer research to guide TOGA’s scientific goals.
Collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between clinicians, researchers, and industry stakeholders to accelerate the development of new treatments.
Advocacy & Implementation: Providing the expert evidence base needed to advocate for reimbursement and ensure new therapies are integrated into the Australian healthcare system.
These Scientific Committee appointments reflect the breadth of expertise and leadership within our community, and we look forward to the contributions each will bring to the organisation.
TOGA is pleased to announce the latest appointments for our Scientific Committee:
A/Prof Malinda Itchins – Scientific Committee Deputy Chair
Malinda is a thoracic medical oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney. She is a senior clinical lecturer with the University of Sydney and Board Director with the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA).
Previously, she held the position of Co-Chair of the Advanced NSCLC Group on the Scientific Committee.
Prof Gavin Wright – Surgical Representative
Gavin is currently the Director of Surgical Oncology at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and works at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre as both a thoracic surgeon and as the Research and Education Lead for Lung Cancer at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Gavin is a leading expert on minimally invasive surgical techniques (including robotic surgery) and lung-conserving surgery for lung cancer.
Prof Kate Sutherland – Translational Research co-chair
Kate is Laboratory Head, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. From 2006-2012, she undertook postdoctoral studies under the mentorship of Prof Anton Berns at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, before returning to Melbourne in 2013 to establish an independent research group at WEHI.
Her work has established new approaches and technologies to study lung cancer, leading to seminal findings on new genetic drivers, the immune microenvironment, and the role of the metabolome in lung cancer.
Dr Xinxin Hu – Preventative and Quality Healthcare co-chair
Xinxin is a consultant respiratory physician and interventional pulmonologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH).
He completed his advanced training in respiratory and sleep medicine in NSW before undertaking a dedicated fellowship in lung cancer and interventional pulmonology at SCGH. Concurrent with medical training, he completed a Master of Clinical Epidemiology with a focus on biostatistics and clinical trials methodology.
Dr Archit Chawla – Preventative and Quality Healthcare co-chair
Archit is a Respiratory Physician based at Nepean Hospital, where he leads the Pulmonary Nodule MDM, Diagnostic Lung Cancer Service, and Bronchoscopy Service. He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and a PhD candidate focusing on lung cancer diagnostics.
Archit’s academic interests include pulmonary nodule management, early lung cancer detection, quality of lung cancer diagnostics, models of care, and improving patient experience and outcomes.
TOGA extends its congratulations to all appointees and thank everyone who had expressed their interest in joining the Scientific Committee.
Get Involved: Join a Working Group
While the Scientific Committee oversees our broad scientific strategy, our Working Groups are where the detailed, subject-specific work happens. These groups are the primary forum for members to collaborate on specific tumour types, supportive care, or quality-of-life initiatives.
Joining a working group is a fantastic way to contribute your specific expertise, stay at the forefront of clinical developments, and help shape the future of thoracic oncology in Australia and beyond.
