Maree Bilandzic

Dr. Maree Bilandzic is a senior research officer and Research Group Head at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia. She is a molecular cancer biologist specializing in ovarian cancer research.12 Her work focuses on developing effective strategies to block the harmful actions of leader cells in ovarian cancer, aiming to improve treatment efficacy and prevent tumor progression.4

Dr. Bilandzic's research interests include:

1. Investigating leader cells in ovarian cancer, which make up less than 10% of a tumor but significantly impact cancer severity due to their ability to survive conventional treatments.1
2. Screening existing approved drugs to target leader cells, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets.1
3. Studying how leader cells interact with other cancer cells and healthy cells, as well as the mechanisms that enable them to resist chemotherapy.4

In addition to her laboratory work, Dr. Bilandzic is actively involved in raising awareness about ovarian cancer. She participates in fundraising events, media interviews, and campaigns such as the annual White Shirt Campaign in partnership with Witchery and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF).1

Dr. Bilandzic's career in ovarian cancer research was inspired by her personal experience of helping her grandfather navigate the healthcare system during his cancer diagnosis. This experience led her to question why cancer couldn't be a manageable disease and ultimately drove her to focus on ovarian cancer, an area she found relatively neglected compared to breast cancer research.1

As of February 2025, Dr. Bilandzic continues to be an active researcher and advocate for ovarian cancer awareness and research funding.23