08/06/2026
The Australian Melanoma Research Foundation pays tribute to Professor Richard Scolyer AO, who has sadly passed away at the age of 59.
A world-leading melanoma pathologist, researcher, clinician and advocate, Richard dedicated his life to advancing cancer research and improving outcomes for patients around the world. His contributions to melanoma diagnosis, treatment and research have transformed countless lives and helped establish Australia as a global leader in the field.
Richard believed in the power of research and the value of evidence in improving treatments for melanoma and approached his own illness with the same courage, curiosity and determination that defined his career. Drawing on decades of melanoma research, he and his colleague and friend Professor Georgina Long, AO, pioneered an experimental treatment approach that provided invaluable insights into the potential of immunotherapy for the treatment of brain cancer.
Despite being given a prognosis of just six to twelve months, Richard lived for 22 months after his diagnosis, using his own journey to advance knowledge that may benefit future generations of patients.
"I hope this has the power to transform how we treat all cancers, to think big and be courageous." Professor Richard Scolyer AO
Dr Wayne Harvey, Executive Chair of the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, said:
"Richard was more than a brilliant scientist and clinician; he was a source of hope for patients, families and researchers alike. His courage in the face of his own diagnosis inspired people around the world, while his life's work transformed the landscape of melanoma research. On behalf of the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation (AMRF), we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, and our profound gratitude for a life dedicated to improving the lives of melanoma patients."
Our thoughts are with those closes to Richard and the many people whose lives he touched. We are deeply grateful for his extraordinary contribution to melanoma research and the global cancer community.
