Rodney Scott

Laureate Professor Rodney Scott is an internationally recognised leader in genetics who has been instrumental in bringing the Hunter to the forefront of personalised medicine.

Professor Scott has been involved with HMRI since it was established in 1998. His first appointment in the Hunter was as Professor and Head of the Discipline of Medical Genetics at the University of Newcastle and as Director of Molecular Medicine in the Hunter Area Pathology Service, positions he still holds.

His research focuses on the identification of genes associated with inherited forms of colorectal cancer and breast cancer. In 2005 Professor Scott was appointed the inaugural HMRI NBN Telethon Chair of Childhood Cancer in recognition of his outstanding research track record in genetic predispositions to cancer. The work involved looking at the genetics of leukaemia and brain tumours in children which is ongoing.

Professor Scott is involved with the Hunter New England Health Family Cancer Genetic Counselling Service and first initiated testing for familial breast and familial colon cancer in the Hunter New England Region to ensure early risk detection for patients and their families that could lead to preventative strategies and better.

Recently, Professor Scott found a new suite of genetic biomarkers that are associated with the “triple negative breast cancer", a subtype of breast cancer that lacks the three critical receptors and is difficult to treat since none of the newer therapies target this type of breast disease. In women with this type of cancer, the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were found to be present in up to 10% of patients.

Professor Scott’s work has led to collaborations with other HMRI Research Programs and collaborators across the globe, now having more than 500 peer reviewed scientific publications in genetics research spanning the fields of cancer, asthma, stroke, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, lung disease and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). He has attracted over $45 million in grant funding over the course of his career.

Professor Scott currently leads a program of over 30 research staff and is supervising over 20 post-graduate students working on multiple aspects of genetic research.