YOUNG ONCOLOGISTS GROUP OF AUSTRALIA (yoga) cOMMITTEE

Young Oncologists are consultant medical oncologists who are working in all States and Territories of Australia, are financial members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA) and who are within five years of receipt of their fellowship (FRACP or equivalent).

YOGA SUB-COMMITTEE ROLE

The role of the YOGA Sub-Committee is to provide young medical oncologists with a networking framework and assistance to facilitate their transition from advanced trainee to consultant. This is achieved through:

  • Creating and implementing educational and professional programs relevant to young Australian oncologists in their daily practice and/or research activities.

  • Informing and advising the MOGA Executive about workplace, professional challenges and career development issues concerning Australian young oncologists.  

  • Encouraging and facilitating the professional development, peer support and representation of young oncologists. 

  • Promoting opportunities for developing research skills and conducting research among young Australian oncologists. 

  • Working and collaborating with global young oncologist networks and organisations. 

 YOGA Committee MEMBERS

  • Dr Andrew Parsonson is an early career medical oncologist affiliated with the Nepean Cancer Care Centre in Sydney, Australia. He was the inaugural advanced trainee representative on the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) council and has a strong interest in the education and professional development of trainees and young oncologists. His current research interests are in the role of digital health in cancer care and clinical trials and he has recently commenced a part-time PhD through the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) at Macquarie University. He has recently been appointed to be a member on the drug utilisation subcommittee (DUSC) to provide advice on oncology drug utilisation to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).

  • Dr Mark Nalder is a Medical Oncologist and early career researcher. He is currently the Medical Oncology Fellow at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD. He has strong clinical interests in thoracic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and melanoma malignancies. His research interests include precision medicine, pharmacogenetics and the utilisation of real-world evidence to guide treatment decisions for patients with cancer. He is currently completing a PhD at the University of Queensland, investigating the real-world outcomes of patients treated with immunotherapy. He is passionate about reducing treatment related toxicity and is the principal investigator on a multi-site trial of prospective DPYD genotype guided dosing for patients receiving fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.

  • Dr Connolly is an early career medical oncologist and clinician researcher who is affiliated with Chris O Brien Lifehouse (COBLH), the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) and the University of Sydney. She is currently undertaking full time PhD research in sarcoma proteomics after completing a sarcoma clinical research fellowship at COBLH. Her interests include sarcoma, rare cancers and AYA care. She is passionate about education and professional development of trainees and young oncologists. She is a current member of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Young Oncologists Committee (YOC) and has been an inaugural member of the NSW/ACT Medical Oncology Advanced Trainee Committee (MOAT) and several Royal College of Physicians (RACP) education committees. Through these she has facilitated the development of a number of physician education resources and programmes.

  • Dr O'Neil is a Medical Oncologist located in Perth, WA and is currently dual-training in cancer genetics at the Genetic Services of WA with the aim of working in investigation and treatment of rare cancers and in the care of patients with hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes.

  • Dr Meagan Inglis is an early-career Medical Oncologist who is currently completing a Clinical Research Fellowship at Western Health, Victoria. She studied undergraduate Medicine at the University of Melbourne prior to completing her Basic Physician Training at Ballarat and Western Health. She subsequently completed her advanced training across Western Victoria at Bendigo Health, Barwon Health, Western Health and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centres. Meagan’s clinical interests are in Gynae and GI cancers, and she is a volunteer speaker for the Counterpart Organisation, providing training at their Peer Support Training Program on the role of systemic treatment in the management of cancers. Meagan has a passion for medical administration, and is also undertaking a Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Public Health at UNSW. In her free time, Meagan enjoys spending time with her young family keeping her toddler entertained at the various Zoos across Victoria.

  • Dr Tim Slattery is an early career medical oncologist, currently working at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Geraldton Regional Hospital. He completed his training across Fiona Stanley Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia, as well as the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London, United Kingdom. His interests include genitourinary, colorectal, lung and skin cancers, as well rural & regional cancer care, and exercise & well-being in cancer. He also has a passion for education, career equity, advocacy & mentorship, and is involved in various related service improvement programs. He is currently working across many solid tumour clinical trials, including the active development of a phase 1 trial looking at the addition of chemotherapy to radionuclide therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

    Tim is also a qualified general & acute care physician with significant regional experience, having received RACP fellowship in 2020.

  • Dr James McCracken is a Medical Oncologist, with expertise in the management and care of patients with breast, lung and gastrointestinal (oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, bowel and liver) cancers.

    Dr McCracken is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & Epworth Freemasons. He is currently undertaking a MPhil through the University of Melbourne, investigating clinical, genomic and transcriptomic landscape of HER2-low breast cancer, supervised by Prof Sherene Loi & Prof Sarah-Jane Dawson.

    Dr McCracken graduated from the Australian National University in 2011, graduating with the Australian Medical Association Leadership Prize in his final year. He then went on to complete Basic Physicians Training through the Royal Melbourne Hospital. During this time, he also concurrently completed a Master’s in Public Health, through the University of Sydney.

    Dr McCracken did his Medical Oncology training through the Victorian Medical Oncology Training Programme, at St Vincent's, Northern, Western and Austin Hospitals, before completing a 2 year fellowship in Breast and Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute at the Austin Hospital. He is also a member of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the European Society of Medical Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

    In his spare time, he enjoys time with his wife Laura and children, Hamish and Hattie. He’s also a keen cyclist, amateur chef and sommelier and one-eyed Hawthorn fan.

If you have any state-specific questions please feel free to email the MOGA secretariat and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person

Join our network of over 600 medical oncologists who receive: 

  • EDUCATION PROGRAMS

    Specialist quality education via MOGA Annual Scientific Meeting and access to other programs and workshops throughout the year, including the Australia and Asia Pacific Clinical Oncology Research Development (ACORD) Workshop » ALL PROGRAMS

  • Professional opportunities

    Exercise your leadership skills by joining our committees, conveining education programs, nominating to provide advice to government and attending MOGA mentoriship program. Newer Fellows can also join the Young Oncologists Group of Australia (YOGA) » ALL Committees

  • Mentorship

    The National Oncology Mentorship Program (NOMP) is exclusive to MOGA members. The program provides a forum for oncology trainees and young oncologists to debrief with more senior colleagues on the challenges they face, whilst also increasing professional fulfilment for mentors

  • Awards

    MOGA Members can apply for Travel Awards to fund their attendance at MOGA Annual Scientific Meeting and ESMO Asia. Members can also be nominated for our annual Cancer Achievement and Professor Martin Tattersall Heroes Award

  • ESMO Membership

    MOGA’s reciprocal agreement with ESMO allows members to receive the benefits of ESMO membership at a 25% reduction. Members also enjoy a simplified application process when applying for ESMO membership

  • Public policy and advocacy

    MOGA represents Medical Oncology specialists at the national level. MOGA contribute to the training of Medical Oncologists in Australia and advocate for improved access, affordability, and equity of cancer services

  • NEWS

    Members receive our monthly E-News which includes news, education and the latest jobs, and occasional alerts on priority issues of key professional interest (such as drug shortages). Members also connect with each other on our social networks.  

  • Access to The Lancet Oncology

    Members receive free access to the monthly digital version of The Lancet Oncology, which publishes original research, authoritative review, opinion pieces, and news to provide coverage aiming to advance clinical practice, advocate change in health policy and tackle issues related to global oncology 

  • Job postings

    Members have access to unlimited complimentary position advertisements via MOGA E-News, website and social media. Supervisors can reach their target audience and save more than their annual membership fee with just one posting per year

  • Clinical BEST practice

    MOGA collaborates with all Australian oncology stakeholders in the preparation and dissemination of practice guidelines and clinical tools to guide and support medical oncologists in the provision of quality cancer care and management both locally and globally

  • Resources

    MOGA website and communications provide useful professional materials including the Resources section with position statements, clinical practice guidelines, publications and e-learning materials

  • Research

    MOGA takes a leading and supporting role in research and discovery regarding cancer, oncology drugs as well as patient care. Many opportunities are available to support your research activities throughout your training including the Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology 

get involved

There are many ways for members to get involved in supporting our work and help us in shaping the future of the Australian Medical Oncology profession.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Members enjoy exclusive professional development programs specifically designed for medical oncology trainees and consultants

JOIN THE COMMITTEE

Exercise your team and leadership skills by applying to join the Committee

become a member

Young oncologists receive discounted rates - explore the many benefits of MOGA membership

YOGA ON THE NEWS

Cancer trials, and the need for a greater diversity of participants

Dr Abhi Pal is a young medical oncologist at Bankstown and Liverpool Hospital who is currently undertaking his PhD and advocating for the pertinent issue of equity and inclusion in cancer clinical trials. Trial participants are significantly less likely to be from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Listen to Dr Pal talk about his important research and the need for change on ABC listen.

Dr BEN Shum awarded the best poster award in translational science section at ESMO Congress

Dr Ben Shum is a young medical oncologist currently working at the Royal Marsden Hospital, conducting research and completing his MD at the Francis Crick Institute in London. Dr Shum completed his medical oncology training at Westmead, Blacktown and Nepean Hospital. Dr Shum was recently awarded the best poster award in the translational science section at the ESMO Congress for his poster entitled MHC-II neoantigens and copy number alterations drive immune checkpoint inhibitor response in metastatic melanoma. Congratulations Dr Shum!