Five minutes with…
2024 ASMR Medallist Professor Matt Dun
Professor Matt Dun, from the Univeristy of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, has a deeply personal connection to his world-leading research into childhood cancers. Motivated by the 2018 diagnosis of his two-year-old daughter Jospehine with the incurable brain cancer Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), he has dedicated his career to finding more effective treatments, while also starting the charity RUN DIPG to fund research and support affected families.
Describe your job: As a Professor of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Research, I lead preclinical studies focused on understanding the biology of the most aggressive childhood cancers, using tumour and leukaemia cells donated by the families of affected children.
We aim to uncover what drives these cancers and identify unique vulnerabilities that can serve as targets for treatment. Our approach involves repositioning existing therapies used for other cancers or developing new drugs, which we rigorously test in the lab and in living avatars of the cancers. Once optimised, we collaborate with clinical colleagues to test these therapies in clinical trials, aiming to improve outcomes for young patients.
If you weren’t doing your job, what would you be doing? Maybe a medical entrepreneur, leading a startup or pharmaceutical company focussed on developing new medical technologies or drugs aimed at improving cancer treatment.
Where were you born? I was born in a small country town called Casino, located in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
What are the best things about where you live now? The best things about where I live in Dudley, NSW, are its incredible natural surroundings and tight-knit community. We’re located along the coast, surrounded by National Parks that offer stunning walks, trail runs, and breathtaking views. The beaches are fantastic, with great surfing conditions. Our community is hardworking, generous, and loyal, with a strong sense of looking out for one another.
What Is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you? I served in the military with the Australian Submarine Service. I was part of the commissioning crew for the second Collins Class Submarine, HMAS Farncomb, and I was the youngest sailor onboard at the time.
What do you want to be remembered for? A great dad, husband and community member.
My earliest memory is: My earliest memory is of my mum picking me up from daycare one day in a taxi and taking me to the police station in Sydney. We were there to report that her car had been stolen from the train station while she was at work.
When I was a child I wanted to be: A police officer at 10, Olympian swimmer (12-16), chef at 13, pilot at 16.
In my spare time: I enjoy surfing and playing guitar. I’ve recently started passing these skills on to my children, and I’m sure that they will soon exceed my abilities in both. I also enjoy the very rare moments when my wife and I get time to be together without the kids, no offence kids x.
The scariest thing I’ve done is: I’ve faced some terrifying moments in my life, like being on a submarine when a major pipe burst, sending us plunging past the maximum diving depth. But without a doubt, the scariest thing I’ve ever done is living through a childhood cancer diagnosis and journey.
Favourite saying: Success comes before work only in the dictionary. What you practice in private pays off in public.
Next year I hope to: Qualify for the Boston Marathon. I’ve been chasing this goal since Josie’s diagnosis, but the qualifying time (under 3 hours 20 minutes) has eluded me in seven out of the nine attempts I’ve completed. Maybe marathon attempt number 10 is my chance. Also, if the grants come through and the research team remains stable, I’d love to take some time off and travel with my family to Tasmania.