Quinn Lab - Brain Cancer Discovery

A little look behind the camera and behind the scenes of the work supporting the Canberra Brain Cancer Biobank at @wearejcsmr , a vital program enabling brain cancer research through the safe storage of donated brain tumour tissue. Over the past year, ABCF has been focused on building a sustainable, long term funding pathway for the biobank. This work has been led by ABCF Founder and CEO, Milena Skepev, who worked very closely with Professor Quinn @quinn_lab , developing a three phase funding strategy to ensure continuity and stability for this critical research infrastructure. We are pleased to share that Phase 1 of this strategy has now been secured for the next three years, providing certainty while longer term solutions continue to be developed. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with @ouranu and proud to back the extraordinary brain cancer researchers and brilliant minds here in Canberra. We will be announcing the founding partners who helped secure Phase 1 funding in the coming weeks. Stay tuned, the full video is coming soon. Because every sample matters. Every discovery matters.

Gail McCulloch, a beloved teacher, mother, grandmother, and one of ABCF’s first Brain Cancer Support Team patients, has made it to her 64th birthday last week. Her wish to see her rose garden bloom one more time was fulfilled. She spent the day surrounded by family, love, and the beauty she nurtured, It was a moment full of grace and beaming smiles. A couple of weeks earlier, Professor Leonie Quinn the head of the Brain Cancer Discovery Group at ANU @quinn_lab visited Gail. It was deeply emotional for both of them. Professor Quinn shared how honoured she was to meet Gail in person, a woman whose courage and generosity will shape the future of brain cancer research. The Quinn Group will carry Gail’s extraordinary gift with the utmost care and privilege, a legacy they hold with reverence. Gail is now at Clare Holland House, peaceful and well cared for. Her donation pathway is in place, and we’re all on standby to honour her final wish. Thank you, Gail for your strength, your generosity, and the quiet power of your legacy. You are changing the future for others, even now.

We had a fantastic day yesterday at the Canberra Times Marathon, raising money for @abcf_brain_cancer_australia . Members of the Quinn lab ran to fundraise and promote awareness for the devastating disease that is brain cancer. Thank you to all the members of both the Quinn lab and the ABCF that ran and showed up for support to help bring us one step closer a world without brain cancer 🧠🧡🏃🏽‍♀️ #quinnstagram #abcf #canberrarunners 📸: @c.a.t.h.y.z.h.a.n.g

Congratulations to our amazing 2025 Honours student Lucca, who recently gave his first project seminar! We are so excited to see where you go with this project 🪰#quinnstagram

Big congratulations to our incredible students, Sarah, Julia, and Jithmi, on completing their Honours projects! 🥳 We were so proud to attend your final seminars and see the outstanding work you've accomplished this year. So excited to see where you go next! Go team 🤩 #quinnstagram

Celebrating 75 years of progress and innovation at @wearejcsmr ! 🎉 Quinn lab’s star post doc Olga Zaytseva had the honour of sharing some of the work we’re doing in brain cancer research. Here’s to continuing the fight for improved patient outcomes🧠 #quinnstagram

This week, PhD students Tanya and Lizzie had the pleasure of presenting their projects at the AusFly conference in Marysville🌞 Thank you to the organisers for hosting such a fruitful conference🪰

Last week, lab members Olga, Teresa, Brooke, Lizzie and Tanya had the fantastic opportunity to present their work at the 2024 Biomolecular Horizons Conference in Melbourne 🪰 Thank you to the organisers for hosting such an amazing conference! It was a great opportunity for all those who attended! #quinnstagram

We had the absolute pleasure of attending the official launch of @abcf_brain_cancer_australia here at @wearejcsmr @ouranu The ABCF strives to raise awareness and funds to support the Canberra brain cancer community. It will bring together researchers and clinicians to help fight this disease and assist families and those suffering from the emotional, financial and practical challenges that brain cancer brings. The aim will be to improve outcomes for patients both here in Canberra and hopefully around the world. A huge congratulations to founder and CEO, Milena Skepev and all those involved for bringing this incredible initiative to life. #quinnstagram

Last week we hosted a very special lab lunch to celebrate Damien submitting his PhD thesis! Congratulations on this huge achievement Damien, we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what your future holds! 🤩🎉 #quinnstagram

Congratulations to Tanya, who last week presented an amazing PhD entry seminar! 🥳 We can’t wait to see where you go with this awesome project over the next few years! 🤩 #quinnstagram

We could not be more proud of the amazing achievements of young Zara Skepev, who has now raised over $30,000 towards brain cancer research. Zara has been making and selling earrings for two years to raise money to support female researchers in the field of brain cancer as they return from their maternity leave, beginning the Zara Skepev Fund for Women in Brain Cancer Research. Last Friday, a ceremony was held at the JCSMR where Zara and her wonderful friend Indie Gocevski, handed over a cheque of more than $16,000 to this year’s recipient, new mother and Quinn lab superstar, Nan-Hee Kim. Zara’s parents Nick and Milena then generously pledged another $13,500 donation, bringing this year’s total amount raised to $30,000. They further pledge to continue these donations for the next 5 years to maintain $30,000 per annum towards Zara’s fund. Our hearts are full and we are so grateful for the amazing work of Zara, her family and friends to support our talented and hardworking female researchers as they strive to improve our understanding of the devastating disease that is brain cancer and aim to improve patient outcomes in the future. A special thanks to all who attended and celebrated such a significant day! #quinnstagram @zandm.co @abcf_brain_cancer_australia @wearejcsmr