This World Pancreatic Cancer Day, we would like to recognise the importance of continued research to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.

In 2022 RPH Research Foundation is proudly funding Miss Arunima Panda and her team led by Professor Krish Ragunath as they work to uncover improved diagnostic options for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases globally, with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%. Pancreatic cancer does not develop specific symptoms in the early stages, making early detection and treatment challenging.

RPH Research Foundation’s Springboard Plus Grant program supports early career researchers like Arunima Panda who are translating their ideas into clinical practice that could lead to a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our community.

Miss Arunima Panda will receive a total of $35,160 in support from RPH Research Foundation from the Springboard Plus Grant that will allow her to conduct research to gain insight into potential pancreatic cancer biomarkers to identify patients in the early stages of the disease.

Miss Panda’s research looks at a specific protein found uniquely in small extracellular vesicle functional cargo released from pancreatic cancer cells, which may have a role in the progression of the disease. If the hypothesis is true, these small extracellular vesicles could be used to help diagnose and detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages, resulting in earlier intervention.

Click here to hear Miss Arunima Panda presenting some of her research at our 2022 Research Symposium and Awards Day.

Pictured from left to right: Professor Krish Ragunath and Miss Arunima Panda