The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases

23/06/2026

James O’Loghlin’s recent ABC Conversations interview is a moving reminder that asbestos disease affects individuals, families and communities in deeply personal ways.

In the episode, James speaks about his friendship with Jum Wallner, who developed mesothelioma after living in a Canberra “Mr Fluffy” home.

Listen to the episode:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/james-ologhlin-asbestos-mesothelioma-friendship/106812852

At NCARD, we are currently inviting people with lived or professional experience of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related disease to help shape future research priorities through the Asbestos Voices survey.

We welcome input from people who have been exposed to asbestos, people diagnosed with asbestos-related disease, carers, family members, advocates and healthcare professionals.

The survey takes around 10–15 minutes and is anonymous.

More information: https://www.ncard.org.au/asbestos-voices/

17/06/2026

Mackenzie Lighton was 19 when her mum, Debra, was diagnosed with mesothelioma. After Debra passed away in 2023, Mackenzie completed her biomedical science degree and joined NCARD as a research assistant, working with Dr Alistair Cook on combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy to improve outcomes for people with mesothelioma.

She also sits on our Consumer Advisory Panel and is the face of the Institute for Respiratory Health's EOFY tax appeal.

"If sharing my story can make a difference, then it's worth it."

Read Mackenzie's story: https://ncard.org.au/from-loss-to-laboratory-mackenzie-lighton-on-mesothelioma-asbestos-and-the-research-that-gives-her-hope/

When Mackenzie Lighton was 19 years old, her mum, Debra, was diagnosed with mesothelioma. What followed was a period of caregiving, grief and a growing determination to do something that mattered.

15/06/2026

08/06/2026

Meet Cher van der Heijden, an honours student from Murdoch University who reached out to NCARD and spent the past year investigating whether cholesterol-lowering drugs could help make cancer immunotherapy more effective for mesothelioma patients.

From animal science to cancer research, Cher has navigated a steep learning curve with curiosity and persistence.

Read her story here: https://ncard.org.au/spotlight-on-cher-van-der-heijden/

Institute for Respiratory Health

03/06/2026

“I never planned to go into research, but everything changed when I lost my mum to mesothelioma.” Mackenzie Lighton, researcher at the Institute.

Mackenzie’s mum, Debra, was brave, funny and full of love. She could find beauty and joy in almost anything and had a cracking sense of humour. Even when she was in pain, she still tried to make people laugh.

She did not live in fear. She encouraged Mackenzie and her sister to live boldly and to go after what mattered to them.

What Mackenzie misses most is her mum’s love. Her smile. Her warmth. The way she backed Mackenzie in whatever path she chose.

When Debra was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Mackenzie wanted more time with her. More treatment options. More hope.

After Debra passed away, Mackenzie could not shake the feeling that she needed to do something.

Research gave her a way to turn grief into something meaningful.

Today, Mackenzie works alongside Dr Alistair Cook at the Institute on mesothelioma research that could help change what families face after a diagnosis.

For Mackenzie, this work is a way to honour her mum and help other families facing mesothelioma.

If you would like to support this research, please donate before 30 June. Your gift will be doubled and help give back more time to families facing mesothelioma.

https://fundraising.resphealth.org.au/tax-appeal-26

📸 – Mackenzie with her mum Debra.

The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases Aerodrome Management Services

02/06/2026

Researchers at The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases are working on a new approach to cancer treatment that could change the way we think about personalised medicine.

Dr Francois Rwandamuriye is developing mRNA cancer vaccines that train the immune system to recognise the unique mutations in each patient's tumour. His current focus is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, where treatment options remain limited.

"What excites me most about the mRNA vaccine approach is its flexibility and precision. mRNA vaccines can be rapidly designed to target the unique features of a patient's tumour, making personalised cancer treatment more achievable."

The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated interest in applying this technology to cancer, and Dr Rwandamuriye's work is at the forefront of that effort here in Western Australia.

UWA Research

29/05/2026

On 27 May, NCARD researchers took to the stage at the WA National Imaging Facility (NIF) Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Laboratory launch, joining scientists, clinicians and industry leaders from across Western Australia.

Prof. Ros Francis, Co-Director of WA NIF, presented on PET imaging in cancer care. Dr Alistair Cook and Dr Tracy Hoang presented NCARD and IRH's work on whole-tumour PD-L1 ImmunoPET mapping, a technique with the potential to better predict how patients respond to immunotherapy.

It was a proud moment for NCARD to contribute to a landmark day for WA's research and medical imaging landscape. 🔬

UWA Research Institute for Respiratory Health

27/05/2026

Behind every scan, treatment study and new therapeutic idea is an extraordinary amount of infrastructure, expertise and careful preparation.

NCARD recently toured the new RAPID Labs Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility at the WA National Imaging Facility node. It was fascinating to see the technology, safety systems and specialist workflows that support radiopharmaceutical production and imaging research.

For patients and the broader community, much of this work sits behind the scenes - but facilities like this are critical for advancing imaging, radiopharmaceutical research and future therapeutic development, including work relevant to cancers such as mesothelioma.

We are grateful to everyone involved in bringing this important capability to Western Australia.

National Imaging Facility Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital The University of Western Australia UWA Research

27/05/2026

This morning, members of the NCARD team attended the official opening of the WA National Imaging Facility preclinical PET-SPECT-CT and RAPID Labs Facility Launch.

The event highlighted the strength of the QEII medical research precinct and the importance of collaboration across health, universities, government, philanthropy and medical research institutes. Advanced imaging infrastructure is not only about equipment - it also depends on the people, expertise, data systems and partnerships needed to turn research capability into better care.

A particularly meaningful part of the morning for NCARD was seeing the story of the first participant in our PDL1-PET mesothelioma trial featured as part of the launch.

We are deeply grateful to the people who take part in medical research, and to those who generously choose to share their experiences so that research can move forward. Their contribution is at the heart of progress in health and medical research.

Congratulations to the National Imaging Facility, The University of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, RAPID Labs and everyone involved in bringing this important capability to Western Australia.

20/05/2026

Today is International Clinical Trials Day, a moment to recognise the research that continues to change outcomes for people affected by serious diseases.

NCARD's Professor Gary Lee and Dr Wee Loong Chin have co-authored a new review on the diagnosis and treatment of pleural mesothelioma, published in Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. The paper draws on recent clinical trial evidence to chart how care is evolving, from earlier detection and less invasive management to new immunotherapy combinations now used as first-line treatment.

Read more via the link below. 🔬

https://ncard.org.au/ncard-researchers-publish-update-on-pleural-mesothelioma-research-and-treatment/

NCARD researchers Professor Gary Lee and Dr Wee Loong (Melvin) Chin have co-authored a review outlining recent changes in the diagnosis and treatment of pleural mesothelioma.