Simon Chu

Riding For Ovarian Cancer Research

Raising funds for: Ride for Research 2024
160.00% Raised
$8,000.00 donated of $5,000.00 goal
36 Donors

Simon Chu – Profile

My name is Simon Chu, much more a lab rat than a cyclist!!

I completed my PhD at Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (now Hudson Institute of Medical Research), where I studied the role of the estrogen in the pathogenesis of an uncommon ovarian cancer known as granulosa cell tumours. This led to my interest in the impact of specific molecular signalling pathways that are responsible for these tumours arising, and looking for ways to target these as a form of cure. After gaining my PhD, I continued his work at Prince Henry’s examining the consequences of blocking some of these pathways using new therapeutic compounds in the hope that they might lead to a new chemotherapeutic approach to treating this disease. In 2007, I took up a postdoctoral position at the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, where I helped develop a new molecular technique to investigate the incidence of exposure to avian influenza in the human population in that country, allowing me to develop skills in a completely different area of research, which I am using today in our research on granulosa cell tumours.

When I returned to Australia in 2009, I re-joined the Hudson Institute, and continued my work on finding the causes as well as therapeutic options for granulosa cell tumours. I established my own research group, Hormone Cancer Therapeutics in 2018 and focused on the two type of granulosa cell tumours – adult and juvenile.

The main theme of our research is as follows:

1)   Development of a strategy which facilitates better service integration, resources and information sharing for those with GCT and their carers;

2) Performing genomic analysis of GCT to enable establishment of a precision medicine approach to tackle this disease;

3)   Development of better diagnostic techniques, not only for initial diagnosis, but for continual monitoring for recurrence; and

4)  Discovering better therapeutics through the repurposing of existing drugs.

I feel incredibly privileged and honoured that I can join this distinguished list of riders who are making a difference to girls/women who are survivors of this disease. The funds raised are much needed as rare cancers often are overlooked when it comes to larger funding bodies.

At home, I am wonderfully supported by my loving partner Vivien, with her sons Jeremy and Luther, and my children, Jono and Isabella. Being a relatively later starter when it comes to cycling, this ride is quite nerve wracking as my only sporting achievements in the past have been in rugby union. However, I have participated in a couple of Murry to Moyne Ride for Research relay events (512km over 2 days), which were a fantastic foray into team cycling. And so I am now madly getting into training for this event, one which I cannot wait to happen and ride with truly inspirational and amazing people wanting to make a difference!

I really would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who is supporting our ride!

 

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24 Comments

  1. So proud of you Brother/Brother-in-law/Uncle Simon! This work will only make the future of our precious girls that little bit safer xo

  2. Thank you , SImon, for bringing greater awareness of the potential risk of this rare type of ovarian cancer on women regardless of their age. Wish you all the best on your bike ride near Oceans River. Stay safe. Jason

  3. This ride should sort out your hemorrhoids one way or the other. Keep those wheels turning. Proud of ya.
    Kevin & Lisa

  4. Thank you to Simon and to ROC Inc for all there work toward improved outcomes for girls and women with juvenile GCT

  5. Happy riding and hope you have a great time and raise lots of funding for this important research.

  6. Good luck Simon, Some great Weather ahead for the weekend. The Bright Brewery will be beckoning!

  7. Golden Resources Engineering Limited, Chu Chi Hoi, Raymond Cheung, Man Yee and Man Ping

  8. Incredibly inspired by all of you who are riding to raise funds against this disease. Thank you, it means so much to all of us who are having to live through this experience.

  9. Well done to all the riders on this incredible event! We are sure that the research team will make great in roads in fighting this disease! So proud of you all!

  10. As someone suffering from GCT, I can only hope that we find a cure for this disease some day. Please keep up with your research and good work. It gives many of us hope for the future.

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