ANZUP Team
ANZUP is supported by a small, dedicated staff team who work closely with its multidisciplinary membership across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. The team supports ANZUP’s research and fundraising activities, raises awareness of urogenital cancers, and advocates for improved treatments and outcomes for people affected by these cancers.
Executive Leadership Team
Samantha Oakes
CEO
Professor Samantha (Sam) Oakes PhD FRSN AAICD brings over 20 years of experience in the Health and Medical Research and Not for Profit sectors to the role of Chief Executive Officer, ANZUP Cancer Trials Group Ltd. With an established career in medical research, Sam’s research has led to important discoveries including new therapeutic and anti-metastatic strategies for hard-to-treat breast cancers and other cancers including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Sam is a passionate advocate and communicator of Health and Medical Research that will ultimately save lives, alleviate suffering, and improve quality of life. Sam leads ANZUP with a strong focus on strategy, culture and collaboration. Having delivered the organisation’s first strategic plan and built a high-performing leadership team, she is focused on positioning ANZUP as a leading, people-centred clinical trials group that is recognised for its clinical excellence, collaborative approach and impact across the sector.
Prudence Stanford
General Manager, Cancer Research
Prudence (Prue) PhD, recently joined ANZUP and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning academic medical research, early phase oncology development, and global industry partnerships. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to collaborative, practice changing research and to supporting the people who deliver it. Prue brings a strategic and pragmatic leadership style, paired with a strong focus on people. She has led multi disciplinary, multi geographic teams, overseen complex research and scientific portfolios, and supported organisations through periods of growth and change. She is known for building collaborative, high performing teams and creating environments where people feel supported, engaged, and aligned with shared goals. What motivates Prue most is bringing clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and scientific teams together around a shared purpose. She is energised by ANZUP’s mission to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer through collaborative, high impact research, and is particularly passionate about strengthening investigator led programs and translational integration.
Jenny Arkell
General Manager, Marketing and Engagement
Jenny recently joined ANZUP as General Manager, Marketing and Engagement. She brings over 25 years of marketing and communications experience spanning local and state government, the not-for-profit sector, and private enterprise. A strategic and results-driven leader, Jenny has a proven track record of developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies that drive awareness, engagement, and measurable outcomes. She has deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, known for building trusted relationships, navigating complex environments, and aligning diverse interests to achieve shared goals. Jenny has led high-impact membership engagement programs, using targeted campaigns and data-informed insights to enhance member value and retention. Her strengths include managing brand integrity, mitigating reputational risk, and delivering initiatives that balance commercial objectives with community priorities. Jenny is committed to raising brand awareness of the ANZUP Vision and Mission to help improve the lives of people diagnosed with Below the Belt cancers.
Belinda Jago
Chair
Belinda Jago has been the Chair of the ANZUP Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) since 2013. Belinda professionally has worked in human resources in a variety of operational and strategic HR roles after completing a Bachelor of Business in 1981. Belinda’s interest in ANZUP stems from her role as a carer for her daughter who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006 at the early age of 13. Volunteering with ANZUP since 2012 has provided an opportunity for Belinda to share the knowledge and skills she has acquired during her family’s experience and to pursue her passion for assisting cancer patients, their carers and families, with a particular interest in kidney and Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) cancers and clinical trial research.
Marcel Svatos
General Manager, Business and Philanthropy
Marcel has over 15 years of management experience in large and small organisations across seven different industries in Australia and Europe. As a true generalist, Marcel's key competences include people management, leadership, customer/member/donor/stakeholder engagement, implementation of new systems and technology, and efficiency improvements as well as streamlining of processes. Marcel has corporate governance experience, including reporting to board of directors and the development of strategy and business plans.
Sandra Jeffers
Administrator
Sandra Jeffers joined ANZUP in 2025 as the ANZUP Administrator. Sandra is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the office and providing high-level executive support to the CEO, senior management team, and the ANZUP membership. Previously, Sandra served as Research Grants Administrator at the National Breast Cancer Foundation for 8 years, where she oversaw a large portfolio of grants, coordinated grant rounds, liaised with researchers and committees, and ensured accurate reporting and compliance across all funding processes. Sandra holds a BSc in Public Health and Health Promotion from University College Cork, Ireland and brings expertise in executive support, stakeholder engagement, and process management across complex and fast-paced organisations.
Clinical Trials Team
Prudence Stanford
General Manager, Cancer Research
Prudence (Prue) PhD, recently joined ANZUP and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning academic medical research, early phase oncology development, and global industry partnerships. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to collaborative, practice changing research and to supporting the people who deliver it. Prue brings a strategic and pragmatic leadership style, paired with a strong focus on people. She has led multi disciplinary, multi geographic teams, overseen complex research and scientific portfolios, and supported organisations through periods of growth and change. She is known for building collaborative, high performing teams and creating environments where people feel supported, engaged, and aligned with shared goals. What motivates Prue most is bringing clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and scientific teams together around a shared purpose. She is energised by ANZUP’s mission to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer through collaborative, high impact research, and is particularly passionate about strengthening investigator led programs and translational integration.
Tom Cusick
Senior Clinical Trials Project Manager
Thomas has an academic background in medical sciences and research. The excitement, challenges and opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others inspired Thomas to pursue a career in clinical trials research. Prior to joining the ANZUP team in June 2020, he previously worked at The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and the St Vincent’s Prostate Cancer Centre; where he accumulated substantial research experience managing multiple clinical trials.
Antoinette Fontela
Senior Clinical Trials Project Manager
Antoinette has an academic background in science and has worked in the health industry for over 20 years, with the majority of that experience being in medical oncology clinical trials research. Prior to joining the ANZUP trials team in March 2022, she worked at St George Hospital, Cancer Care Centre as a Senior Trials Coordinator managing a number of clinical trials in different cancer types and phases including ANZUP sponsored trials. Antoinette wanted to continue working in oncology clinical trials and loves how ANZUP transitions concepts and ideas into clinical trials. She finds it highly rewarding knowing participants have access to clinical trials and are able to benefit from research.
Vinod Subhash
Translational Research Operations Manager
Vinod Subhash, PhD is a biomedical scientist with over 10 years of experience in cancer research, specifically focusing on solid tumors. At ANZUP, Vinod leads the Translational Research Operations, bringing a unique combination of academic research expertise and operational insights to cancer clinical trials. Prior to joining ANZUP, Vinod's post-doctoral research focused on biomarker studies for early detection and response monitoring in cancers.
Archana Nair
Senior Clinical Trials Project Manager
Archana has been working in the field of clinical research for the last 12 years, with an academic background in biochemistry. Being a recipient of the New Zealand Association of Clinical Research Scholarship in 2015, she was able to achieve a certificate of proficiency in Introduction to Clinical Research and Clinical Trial Practice, Ethics and Clinical Research, and Qualitative Methods in Clinical Research, offered by Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand. Her experience in clinical trials spans across medical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology, CAR T-cell, DMD and achondroplasia clinical trials. Prior to moving to ANZUP, she worked as a clinical research team lead at the Clinical Research Centre, in The Children’s Hospital at Westmead managing a portfolio of DMD and achondroplasia clinical trials. She also worked as a Clinical Trials Start Up Officer for early phase/complex – advanced therapeutics portfolio in secondment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Stephanie Attwell
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Stephanie is the Clinical Trials Coordinator for ANZUP. She holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. She joins the team with more than five years' experience in oncology clinical trials having worked in various roles in both academic and hospital settings. She has also previously worked on other research areas, such as mental health and musculoskeletal conditions. Prior to a career shift to clinical trials, she was previously an educator for ten years, having taught both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Alex Paine
Clinical Trials Assistant
Alex completed his Bachelors of Medical Science from UNSW in 2022, majoring in medical microbiology and pharmacology. Prior to joining ANZUP, he spent 3 years developing and revising health policies and procedures within the education sector. At ANZUP, Alex provides support to our Project Managers, manages trial finances and liaises with trial sites, staff and vendors to ensure smooth trial operations. Alex is passionate about clinical trials and is dedicated to advancing medical research and fostering innovation in the development of cancer treatment.
Marketing and Engagement Team
Jenny Arkell
General Manager, Marketing and Engagement
Jenny recently joined ANZUP as General Manager, Marketing and Engagement. She brings over 25 years of marketing and communications experience spanning local and state government, the not-for-profit sector, and private enterprise. A strategic and results-driven leader, Jenny has a proven track record of developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies that drive awareness, engagement, and measurable outcomes. She has deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, known for building trusted relationships, navigating complex environments, and aligning diverse interests to achieve shared goals. Jenny has led high-impact membership engagement programs, using targeted campaigns and data-informed insights to enhance member value and retention. Her strengths include managing brand integrity, mitigating reputational risk, and delivering initiatives that balance commercial objectives with community priorities. Jenny is committed to raising brand awareness of the ANZUP Vision and Mission to help improve the lives of people diagnosed with Below the Belt cancers.
Nicole Tankard
Membership and Engagement Manager
Nicole has over 15 years’ communications experience, and has worked across a range of industries including financial services, professional services, telecommunications and energy. Nicole holds a Bachelor Degree in Communications majoring in Public Relations and Marketing and joined ANZUP in 2019.
Min Liu
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Min has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, which involves journalism, production, social media and digital marketing. She joined ANZUP in March 2023. Min is a skilled writer and storyteller, with a knack for distilling complex ideas into compelling narratives. She is also adept at creating multimedia content, including videos, graphics and infographics, to help bring our work to life for our audiences. Min holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master’s Degree in Digital Communication and Culture.
Belle Healy
Digital Marketing and Fundraising Specialist
Belle has a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive and Brain Sciences and a background in nonprofit marketing and communications. A wordsmith with a passion for science, she digs into research to find the stories that matter, spotlighting the human side of cancer research and the real-world impact of clinical trials. Belle joined ANZUP in July 2024 and is driven to raise awareness and inspire action to help change lives.
Liz Peetz
Database Specialist
Liz is an experienced professional in database management and membership administration, working within the not-for-profit sector for over 16 years. Prior to joining the ANZUP team in July 2021, Liz worked in membership associations, including Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA). Being experienced in CRM database management and customisation, she brings a variety of beneficial skills to ANZUP.
Business and Philanthropy Team
Marcel Svatos
General Manager, Business and Philanthropy
Marcel has over 15 years of management experience in large and small organisations across seven different industries in Australia and Europe. As a true generalist, Marcel's key competences include people management, leadership, customer/member/donor/stakeholder engagement, implementation of new systems and technology, and efficiency improvements as well as streamlining of processes. Marcel has corporate governance experience, including reporting to board of directors and the development of strategy and business plans.
Christine Brooks
Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Manager
Christine Brooks Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Manager Originally from New Zealand, Christine has lived in Australia for over 25 years. After spending her teenage years in Melbourne, she returned to Australia in 2004 and has been in Sydney ever since. Christine began her career in finance then when children came along, she moved to the health and education sectors, delivering conferences and continuing medical education (CME) events in New Zealand. When she moved to Sydney she transitioned into higher education where she remained for 18 years. Christine has held a variety of roles at UNSW and the University of Sydney spanning alumni relations, development, student employability, entrepreneurship and start-ups, and external engagement. A consistent theme, and passion, throughout her career has been building trusted relationships and connecting people, she loves creating opportunities for engagement that generate meaningful outcomes. In 2025 she returned to philanthropy, joining a not-for-profit as part of their major gifts team. When the opportunity to join ANZUP came up, Christine knew it was the right place for her. With children working as doctors, and an equine veterinarian, health and science are always of interest in her family. ANZUP is a great fit with her experience and interests, and Christine is excited to have the opportunity to build a philanthropic community that supports our clinical trials.
Sarah Johnson
Grant Development Officer
Sarah joined ANZUP in January 2025 as Administrator and has recently transitioned into the role of Grants Development Officer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and brings extensive experience in research compliance, research support, administration, and project management. Before joining ANZUP, Sarah worked at the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Sydney and, during 10 years overseas, in the Research and Education Department at the Equine Veterinary Medical Centre in Qatar. In her new role, Sarah is responsible for strengthening ANZUP’s fundraising efforts by identifying and securing grants from trusts and foundations to support ANZUP’s investigator-initiated clinical trials.
ANZUP FELLOWS
Carole Harris
Senior Clinical Fellow
Dr Carole Harris is a Medical Oncologist specialising in genitourinary oncology, currently appointed as Senior Staff Specialist at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (St George and Sutherland Hospitals), Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, and Senior Research Fellow at both ANZUP and The George Institute for Global Health. Her clinical practice spans the full spectrum of GU malignancies, and clinical trials have been central to her work throughout her career. She has served as site Principal Investigator on multiple industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials across renal, bladder, and prostate cancers, contributing to practice-changing research. Within ANZUP, Dr Harris is is involved in all aspects of clinical trial development. She is a member of the ANZUP Scientific Advisory Committee, Assistant Chair of the Renal Cancer Subcommittee, and she sits on numerous national and international trial management committees. In addition she is committed to teaching and mentoring junior doctors and medical students through both her clinical and research roles, and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Nadia Hitchen
ANZUP WEHI Joint Fellow
Dr Nadia Hitchen is an ANZUP Clinical Research Fellow, contributing to the development and delivery of investigator-initiated clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for people with genitourinary (GU) cancers. In this role, she works closely with multidisciplinary teams across Australia and New Zealand to support innovative trial design, trial management, and collaborative research initiatives. Alongside her ANZUP role, Dr Hitchen is a medical oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, specialising in GU cancers, colorectal cancer, and phase I clinical trials. She also holds a Clinical Research Fellowship at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, where she focuses on real world GU oncology research.
