NSW Young Woman of the Year Dr Samantha Wade plans to use the recognition to spread the word about the importance of funding support to deliver medical research breakthroughs sooner.
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A device she has been working on with cancer biologists, oncologists and material scientists at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHRMI) has the potential to make more cases of pancreatic cancer curable and help patients avoid major surgery.
But it is still in the pre-clinical stage of development and it could be years before it is at the point where it may change how medicine is delivered.
Dr Wade said funding support had the potential to move that time-frame forward.
When she was named Young Woman of the Year by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, she was acknowledged for dedicating her career to science in a bid to improve outcomes for people living with cancer.
Dr Wade has played a key role with other researchers at IHRMI in inventing a potentially life-changing delivery device that can shrink pancreatic tumours and improve outcomes for patients.
Human trials cost millions of dollars and funding is often one of the big things that helps us move forward
- Dr Samantha Wade
"It is still a way off. We are hoping to be able to reach that point within five years," she said.
"One of the biggest things we need is funding. The human trials cost millions of dollars and funding is often one of the big things that helps us move forward."
Dr Wade is passionate about the groundbreaking work she said could also help treat other cancers.
"We are not just focusing on pancreatic cancer. We spent a lot of time developing our fabrication platform. The bulk of our research has been in pancreatic cancer but we are now expanding into other cancer trials.
"We are trying to expand the application to other hard-to-treat cancer types. We have done some stuff with breast cancer."
During her acceptance speech Dr Wade revealed how she might never have had the opportunity to do what she is doing now if it hadn't been for a supervisor. That's why she also wants to use the title of NSW Young Woman of the Year to share that story and encourage other young women to be persistent, find a mentor and never give up on their dreams.
She revealed she was almost ready to drop out of uni when her supervisor took her under her wing and changed her life.
The determination and hard work that followed that encouragement helped her succeed and she now is using that story to motivate other young women.
Born in Mount Isa, she moved to Wagga Wagga when she was 10 and has always enjoyed science.
"It was always an interest of mine throughout high school. I then moved to Wollongong for uni in 2010. I did my undergraduate (Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology) here and my PhD."
Dr Wade's interest in medical research was reignited when she was doing an undergraduate project with Dr Kara Vine-Perrow.
"That is why I stayed. I liked the project and I liked the morals of that particular lab," she said.
Prior to that project Dr Wade was on the verge of leaving uni.
"I wasn't very good in my undergraduate degree. I wasn't a high achieving student and I wasn't very good at exams," she said.
But meeting senior research fellow Dr Vine-Parrow changed all that.
"It was really nice to find a supervisor who took me on when she had no reason to and take me into an environment where I did really well and flourish.
"I spoke about that at the awards ceremony and I had some people come up to me afterwards saying they know people in the same position I was. They said it was really nice to hear that even if you are not getting 100 per cent in your exams you can still make something of yourself. That was really nice to hear."
Dr Vine-Perrow said it was amazing to think her guidance had made such an impact.
"I like to think I take most of my students under my wing and support them to the best of my abilities to become the best researchers they can be.
"I was really humbled and flattered by Samantha's comments. It was gratifying to hear the work I did was so appreciated by her, and made such a significant difference to her experience."
Dr Vine-Perrow said the significance of the recognition for Dr Wade was still sinking in. As were the kind words she said in her acceptance speech.
"You just think this is what they need and this is what I need to do," she said.
"And you forget that means quite a lot to them. I think it is unbelievable that Sam was recognised for all her hard work and achievements in the lab which is looking at developing new and improved ways to treat pancreatic cancer.
"She had a little bit of support from me but ultimately she is the superstar here. It is a very prestigious award.
"She has just completed her PhD and has taken the first steps in her career.
"I think this recognition early on is really going to put her in a great place to establishing that independent career."
Dr Vine-Perrow said what researchers were working on at IHMRI was really important.
"We've been working on this project since 2014 and it is a fantastic collaboration of scientists. But all the success of the project and the technology will depend on funding and whether or not we have available funding to push it through to the next level."
Dr Vine-Perrow said seeing the effort and funding thrown into research to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 showed what could be done with enough resources.
"I think the development of the vaccine shows that when we inject funding to the right people you can get amazing outcomes."
Dr Wade said work she is doing now is still related to the sparked her desire to work in medical research.
"We have the funding that has enabled me to be employed on the same project in the same lab," she said
The NSW Young Woman of the Year announcement was made during International Women's Week to help celebrate and elevate the voices of inspirational young women in NSW.
Among those present when Dr Wade's name was read out was NSW Woman of the Year Award recipient Dr Kerry Chant who heard how she also regularly attends cancer fundraising events and gives public presentations to fundraising bodies and community groups including Illawarra Cancer Carers..
She helps the lab reach out to the community and invite them to feel part of what is being achieved because of their fundraising efforts.
Dr Wade can't see herself leaving the Illawarra after falling in love with the region on first sight.
"I did a school excursion here and it was just so green," she said.
"At the time Wagga was in a huge drought so everything was brown and dirty. When I came here I thought it was so pretty. And I really liked the science program here."
Funding vital: Dr Samantha Wade where she works on developing a new treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Dr Wade is also an avid outdoor rock climber who enjoys pottery.
She said being named NSW Young Woman of the Year was a big surprise and it was very humbling to meet the other finalists and hear about the significant work they are doing.
"It was unexpected but I am very grateful to get it because it has raised the profile of this institute as well," she said.
"A lot of people I spoke to on the day didn't know we do cancer research here. The exposure for our team is going to be great."
Dr Wade is eager to use any opportunities that come from being named NSW Young Woman of the Year to spread the word about research being done at IHMRI.
"I really like getting our there and talking about what we do," she said.
"Community engagement is so rewarding. There are a lot failures in research, things go wrong all the time and it is easy to loose sight that you are actually doing something quite good."
Dr Wade said community connections help researchers re-engage their enthusiasm.
She also wants to speak to female students in high school about the opportunities there are for women at institutions such as the University of Wollongong.
"We owe it to women everywhere to lift, support and encourage one another wherever possible, she said.
"I would encourage young women to find or create a support network of other driven and passionate women who will push and encourage them to get outside their comfort zone and grow.
"Its extremely motivating to work with women in senior roles whose mentorship inspires you to achieve."
Dr Wade's message to other young women is that if they are passionate about a particular thing they should not only stick at it but find someone who is willing to support them so they can fulfill their dreams.
"My best bit of advise is find someone you admire and aspire to be," she said.
"Dr Vine-Perrow has a very successful career and a wonderful family. She showed me you can be successful and find a really nice life balance."
"And it was really nice to meet Dr Chant. In the time we had we spoke a little bit about the research I am involved in."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
