Dr. Jessica L. Chitty is a Senior Postdoctoral Research Officer at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, where she works in the Matrix and Metastasis Lab. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex and completed her PhD at the University of Queensland, where she investigated novel drug targets in fungal pathogens within the fungal pathogenesis laboratory. Since joining the Garvan Institute in 2017, Dr. Chitty has focused on understanding and targeting the fibrotic tumour microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Her research explores the role of copper-dependent enzymes in driving tumour fibrosis and resistance to therapy. She has led preclinical studies on a novel pan-LOX inhibitor, SNT-5505, demonstrating its ability to reduce tumour stiffness, limit cancer cell invasion, and improve survival in mouse models of PDAC. Dr. Chitty has received several early-career awards, including the Matrix Biology ANZ Paper of the Year. She is also the Chief Investigator on a Cancer Council NSW project grant, supporting the advancement of anti-stromal therapies that target copper-dependent pathways in pancreatic cancer.

A/Prof Fear (MA, Oxon) graduated from Oxford University in 1996, subsequently working at Northwestern University, USA before completing their PhD in non-melanoma skin cancers in 2003 at the University of London. Subsequently A/Prof Fear worked for Phylogica (now PYC therapeutics, ASX:PYC) in Perth, Australia until rejoining academia and working with Prof Fiona Wood in burn injury, skin repair and scarring in 2007. In addition to over 100 research publications, A/Prof Fear has extensive industry collaborations, focused on developing therapeutics and technologies for wound repair, scarring and fibrotic disorders.