Professor Rod Hicks

Professor of Medicine and Radiology at the University of Melbourne and Director of the Centre for Cancer Imaging at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Hicks led a project which aims to generate a more faithful model of NMYC driven neuroblastoma for therapeutic testing (by transfecting tumour cells arising from MYCN mice with a key receptor) to evaluate the efficacy of radionuclide therapy alone and in combination with other therapies.

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Latest

August 2026

On Sunday 9 August 2026, take on Australia's most iconic fun run and help make a difference for children with neuroblastoma. Starting in Sydney's CBD at Hyde Park and finishing at Bondi Beach, City2Surf is a 14km event that brings together thousands of runners, walkers and fundraisers each year.
National Childhood Cancer Roadmap Recognises CAR T-Cell Therapy as a National Priority

Neuroblastoma Australia has welcomed the release of the National Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Roadmap, describing it as an important step forward for children and families affected by cancer.
Neuroblastoma Australia Responds to Federal Budget Announcement

Neuroblastoma Australia is extremely disappointed the Federal Budget did not include specific funding for CAR-T Cell treatment for solid tumours - it’s a devastating omission for Australian children diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
Oaten's | Raising funds for research into neuroblastoma

I'm fundraising for Neuroblastoma Australia, to raise funds for vital research into better, kinder and more effective treatments for the children's cancer neuroblastoma. Please show your support by donating via this page.

Dr. Emmy Dolman

Grant recipient 2024.
Received: $150,000.
Research project: Enhancing Immunotherapy in High-Risk Neuroblastoma.
Associate Professor Tao Liu

Grant recipient 2024.
Received: $150,000.
Research project: Targeting an RNA Methyltransferase to Treat Neuroblastoma.
Dr. Toby Trahair

Grant recipient 2024.
Received: $150,000.
Research Project: Developing Humanised Immunocompetent Mouse Models of High-Risk Neuroblastoma.
Professor Maria Kavallaris

Grant recipient 2023.
Received: $175,000.
Research project: Improving treatment outcomes using nanoparticle therapy.
Associate Professor. Daniel Carter

Grant recipient 2023.
Received: $175,000.
Research project: Identify key genetic features that allow resistance to chemotherapy
Associate Professor Belamy Cheung

Grant recipient 2021.
Received: $172,000.
Research project: Chromatin and Mitochondria Directed Therapy.
Associate Professor Tao Liu

Grant recipient 2021.
Received: $125,000.
Research project: High-risk neuroblastoma with TERT oncogene.
Assoc. Professor Tao Liu

Grant recipient 2020.
Received: $125,000.
Research project: TERT oncogene rearrangement
Dr. Jamie Fletcher

Grant recipient 2021.
Received: $175,000.
Research project: Venetoclax combination study.
Dr. Alla Dolnikov, PhD

Grant recipient 2020.
Received: $125,000.
Research project: Using MYC inhibitors to potentiate CART cell therapy for neuroblastoma.

What is neuroblastoma?
Donate today

One in two children with aggressive neuroblastoma will not survive. Neuroblastoma is the number one toddler cancer. We need your help to find effective treatments. Donate today to support world class Australian research into developing less toxic, more effective treatments, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Donate as an individual or business and receive a tax-deductible receipt for all donations over $2.
Detection, diagnosis & staging

Know about symptoms of neuroblastoma, detection, diagnosis and different stages of neuroblastoma childhood cancer.
How common is neuroblastoma?
How dangerous is neuroblastoma?
Our Story

Neuroblastoma takes the lives of more children under five than any other cancer. Help us fund new research to find a cure within our lifetime and save toddlers' lives.
How is it diagnosed?
Why does this cancer form?
Golf2Cure 2025

Our 2025 charity golf day, Golf2Cure, will take place on Thursday, June 26 at the prestigious Lakes Golf Club at Eastlakes, Sydney. The aim of the day is to have fun, increase awareness of neuroblastoma, and to raise funds for research into this devastating childhood cancer so we can find treatments that are more effective and less toxic.
Key Statistics

Know key statistics about the childhood cancer, neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour of childhood and its treatment. Most neuroblastomas, made up of cells found in nerve tissues of the body, start in the adrenal glands.