Dr Maree Bilandzic

I’ve had “grant tunnel vision” lately. I just finished one submission, only to dive straight into the next two! Im what is called ‘successful’ funding wise however the constant pressure to find enough funding to keep my research group going is a huge weight to carry. That’s why emerging for World Ovarian Cancer Day was so vital. Connecting with the community at recent events gave me back my sense of purpose. It’s easy to get lost in the stats, but meeting the people we do this for reminds me why I’m back at my desk today. The hard truth: * There is still no early detection test. * Current treatments are inadequate. * The odds of surviving this disease if YOU were diagnosed today is less than 50%, a coin toss. Research is the only thing that changes this. With NHMRC success rates at only 8%, the burnout is real but so is the need. Huge thanks to @witcheryfashion , The Spicer Family & Co @lilspic and @merrypeople for having me and raising funds for the @ocrf and @mothersdayclassicaus AND most of all to the amazing women who attended and you reading this now. Your support is what keeps me writing. Back to the lab @hudson_research well the desk with my eldest child in tow 🧬💻 #WorldOvarianCancerDay #HudsonInstitute #OvarianCancer #WomenInScience #MedicalResearch

Congratulations to one of our members, Maree Bilandzic who has been awarded one of Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s new proof-of-concept grants ($260,000 over 1.5 years) to study “safe zones” that form around treatment-resistant cancer cells after chemotherapy, which can lead to recurrence. Funds are raised as part of the Mother’s Day Classic run happening on 10th of May. Get involved to help Maree get these funds through .au/

Introducing the 2026 OCRF Mother’s Day Classic research grant recipients: Prof Anna DeFazio AM, A/Prof Liz Caldon and Dr Maree Bilandzic 🔬Prof DeFazio (Westmead Institute / University of Sydney) has been awarded $654,000 over three years to screen new drug combinations for Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer — a type with limited treatment options and poor patient outcomes. 🔬A/Prof Caldon (Garvan Institute) has received $517,000 over three years to investigate why ovarian cancers stop responding to PARP inhibitors, with the goal of making treatments effective again. 🔬Dr Bilandzic (Hudson Institute of Medical Research) has been awarded one of OCRF’s new proof-of-concept grants ($260,000 over 1.5 years) to study “safe zones” that form around treatment-resistant cancer cells after chemotherapy, which can lead to recurrence. Three remarkable women driving progress in ovarian cancer research. These projects are made possible thanks to the Mother’s Day Classic community, who raised $1.37 million for the OCRF in 2025. They form part of OCRF’s largest-ever annual funding pool,$4.6 million for 2026. Want to help power more breakthroughs? Join us at the Mother’s Day Classic on Sunday, 10 May 2026, and be part of a community raising vital funds for ovarian cancer research. This is what showing up on Mother’s Day looks like: your fundraising fuels life-saving science. Registrations are open, sign up today via the link in bio. #ocrf #ovariancancer #ovariacancerresearch #mothersday

We are proud to share that our team at Hudson Institute of Medical Research has been awarded a significant research grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) as an official Mother’s Day Classic sponsored project for 2026 🎉 (now to dust off my walking shoes !👟) Our research addresses a critical challenge in ovarian cancer: why the disease so often returns after initially successful treatment. We have discovered that chemotherapy can paradoxically remodel the tissue environment into ‘safe zones’ or survival niches that shield residual cancer cells from further treatment and the immune system. It is a particular honour to be selected as the Mother’s Day Classic project. As a team that unites breast and ovarian cancer expertise, with Professor Delphine Merino (Olivia Newton John ) and Professor Thomas Cox (Garvan) joining our team dedicated to ensuring that the focus shifts from simply tracking the disease to actively preventing its return. Working with Delphine and Tom has been on my life goals list so happy it’s been achieved ! We are deeply grateful to the OCRF and the Mother’s Day Classic community for their support in our mission to improve long-term survivorship for women facing ovarian cancer. @hudson_research @ocrf @mothersdayclassicaus @onjcri @garvaninstitute

Today is World Cancer Day. I attended a parliamentary event to advocate for ovarian cancer research, alongside others who have been doing this work for years. What struck me again was how familiar the conversations were. We meet, we talk, we acknowledge the need, and then we ask the same question. What has actually changed in funding and support? Ovarian cancer remains underfunded relative to its impact. Most patients are still diagnosed late. Relapse is still the rule, not the exception. Survival gains remain modest. Researchers are expected to deliver breakthroughs while competing for shrinking pools of funding. Many of us are fighting for scraps, despite the scale and urgency of the problem. I’m grateful for organisations like Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, who continue to advocate relentlessly for increased investment in ovarian cancer research, and for campaigns like ASMR Campaign, which help keep this disease visible in rooms where decisions are made. World Cancer Day is a reminder that awareness alone is not enough. Progress requires sustained investment, long-term commitment, and the willingness to back research that is difficult, slow, and essential. @hudson_research @ocrf @ocrf_ceo @nicolecbakes @ovariancanceroz @theasmr1

🇭🇷💁‍♀️ When you realize your heritage is your superpower A massive thank you to the @ausnzcroatianwomeninleadership Conference for the invitation to speak. It was really tough for me to prepare but an incredibly eye opening experience. I had the chance to discuss something very personal: how my Croatian heritage essentially shaped my approach to life as a mother and a researcher. Only while preparing did I truly grasp the connection that famous Croatian ‘tvrdoglavost’ (tenacity) isn’t just a trait, it’s my core asset. Clearly, our Croatian Bakas have always been teaching us the masterclass in resilience! 😉 Connecting with so many brilliant women was the highlight of the event. I left the conference, feeling so much pride seeing how successfully Croatian women are making their mark in various fields. When we commit, we don’t just open doors; we kick them wide open. 💪 Thanks again for the wonderful hospitality and the inspiring conversations!

Last day of #Frocktober for @ocrf @frocktober_ocrf 💙🩷🧡💜💚 All month, everyday legends have frocked up and shared ovarian cancer facts to raise funds for life-saving research. These funds support the @hudson_research team, including the four stars in this pic: • Prof simon chu @simon_chu01 : developing treatments for the rare ovarian cancer subtype GCT • Dr Nicole Campbell @nicolecbakes driving new therapies for ovarian cancer • @teharn PhD candidate in Simon’s team • Dr Laura Moffitt @laurarmoffitt who manages the ovarian cancer biobank that gives researchers access to precious donated tissue to fuel discoveries In loving memory of our fave frocker and consumer advocate @sarah_j_e_tidey , who hosted the greatest frock exchange events on record you’re thought of often and missed. 💜 Huge shout out to @michthatcher in her 9th year of fundraising, about to crack $100k. If you can, help her get over the line today 🙏 her link is in my bio! #OvarianCancer #OCRF #HudsonInstitute #Frocktober #BecauseSheMatters #ResearchMatters

An honour to finally speak with @justinflynn100 after many years of touring the speaking circuit with @leaneflynn12 . Hearing the impact of cancer through a partner’s eyes was powerful. Thank you for your bravery and for helping elevate ovarian cancer awareness and research. Thank you, @michthatcher , for your ninth @frocktober_ocrf event and to the phenomenal community who returns every year to champion this cause. #OvarianCancer #Awareness #Research @ocrf

Honoured to represent Hudson Institute at the ASMR Gala. The keynote on implanting a fully artificial heart was a reminder that breakthroughs are built on resilience and community. Before the big grants, it was philanthropic gifts that kept the work alive. As rejection season rolls in for many researchers, your support can be the bridge between “not yet” and “now.” Wishing all of the women here with me all the best for their grants they deserve it. @hudson_research @theasmr1 @aamri_aus

Last night, the Hudson Institute’s Ovarian Cancer team joined in celebrating 25 years of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation 💙✨. OCRF gave me my very first major grant a game-changing step that enabled incredible science and helped shape my career. Over the years, they’ve enriched the work and lives of ovarian cancer researchers across Australia. An inspiring night to honour a foundation that’s driven innovation, collaboration, and hope and to celebrate with the brilliant Hudson team who keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. 🙌🔬 #HudsonInstitute #OCRF25 #OvarianCancerResearch #ResearchImpact #TeamHudson @hudson_research @ocrf

Thank you to Witchery and the OCRF families for having me at today’s World Ovarian Cancer Day / White Shirt Day event. It was an honour to join you at country road group HQ and stand in solidarity with the families, researchers, and advocates driving change. So lovely to catch up with familiar faces for this incredible cause and represent the Hudson institute of medical research ovarian cancer research teams. Miss you @leaneflynn12 @ocrf @hudson_research @witcheryfashion

✨ Happy International Day of Girls & Women in STEM! ✨ Being a scientist is tough, this field can be isolating, competitive, and relentless. But the best thing about STEM? The incredible women who lift each other up. To every girl and woman pushing boundaries, asking the hard questions, and refusing to be overlooked, we see you, we support you, and we celebrate you. Today is a reminder that we thrive not just by breaking barriers, but by building each other up. 👩‍🔬🔬✨ I’ve tagged the women in STEM who inspire me who are the ones that inspire you? Let’s keep lifting each other! 💡 #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM