We are thrilled to announce that Associate Professor Rishi Kotecha, Co-Head of Leukaemia Translational Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia Cancer Centre and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Perth Children's Hospital, has been named Cancer Council WA’s 2024 Cancer Researcher of the Year.
The prestigious award recognises Associate Professor Kotecha’s contributions to advancing leukaemia research and improving access to clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies for infants and children in Western Australia.
In particular, his research has made a significant impact on improving the outcomes for infants diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
“Outcomes for infants under one year of age with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia have remained stagnant over decades, with five-year event-free survival rates less than 40 per cent,” Associate Professor Kotecha said.
“My vision has been to improve this grim outcome through the establishment of a research program to identify novel therapies and develop innovative models to rigorously assess promising candidates for translation into clinical trials.
"I would like to thank Cancer Council WA for the incredible honour of being recognised as their 2024 Cancer Researcher of the Year.”
Associate Professor Kotecha’s dedication to advancing both scientific understanding and clinical applications is exemplified by a recent pilot clinical study, which drastically improved participant outcomes using immunotherapy in addition to chemotherapy.
"A small pilot clinical study we conducted recently with the addition of an immunotherapy called blinatumomab improved survival outcomes by 30 per cent – findings which indicate we are on the cusp of changing the paradigm for infants with ALL,” he said.
"We will now investigate this approach further in larger international trials.”
Professor Catherine Elliott, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia, acknowledged the profound impact Associate Professor Kotecha's work has had on children and their families through the integration of clinical research into treatment.
"Rishi's work exemplifies the transformative power of research, driven by his sustained collaboration with both local and international partners,” Professor Elliott said.
“This approach has not only advanced our understanding of leukaemia but has led to life changing outcomes for children and this award is a testament to the significant progress he has made.
"Rishi’s achievements go beyond the laboratory and clinic. His mentorship of young researchers and collaboration with international teams are helping to build a brighter future for paediatric cancer research globally. We are fortunate to have such a visionary leader here at The Kids."
As part of this honour, Associate Professor Kotecha – who is also an Associate Professor at Curtin University, University of Western Australia and Monash University – will receive $20,000 towards his research program, further supporting his team’s innovative work.