Staff Profile: Professor Christobel Saunders AO

Professor Christobel Saunders AO was recently appointed as the Research Director of the Melbourne Medical School. Having previously served as the interim Research Director, Christobel will continue to drive the research strategy, oversee research performance and provide academic leadership of the Melbourne Medical School research portfolio.

Professor Christobel Saunders AO

Christobel is renowned for her strong translational research track record, particularly in improving patient care. Her research and advocacy have transformed the management of breast cancer in Australia, including introduction of new diagnostics and treatments and supportive care.

The team have a busy year ahead, including supporting MMS academics in grant rounds, running a series on using AI in research, a mentoring program for early and mid-career researchers and a suite of supports for our nearly 700 graduate research students.

In addition to her role at the Melbourne Medical School, Christobel is the James Stewart Chair of Surgery, Board Director at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance and consultant breast surgeon at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and co-lead of the MDHS Transforming Healthcare Impact Domain.