The PC4 and PoCoG Joint Consumer Advisory Group (JCAG) provide advice on research directions and priorities from a consumer perspective.
Co-Chair
Max Shub
Co-Chair
| Location | VIC | |
| My Contribution | Max is a qualified pharmacist and a cancer survivor having been diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago. He has a desire to improve the quality of cancer research by bringing an understanding of patients concerns through his extensive involvement with support groups including the Prostate Cancer Support Group network, National Support and Advocacy Committee of PCFA, Cancer Voices Victoria, Prostate Registry Steering Committee, PoCoG SAC, NEMICS Reference Group and the Austin Hospital Uro-Oncology Research Group |
Elizabeth Kuczek
| Location | QLD | |
| My Contribution | Elizabeth sees the value of consumer input and interaction with research groups and feels her involvement with the JCAG brings her a step closer to a clinical setting and as such, complements her research activities and project/operational management experience. Elizabeth is a Project Manager for a large collaborative breast cancer research programme and has a PhD in biochemistry |
Nicki Ottavi
| Location | TAS | |
| My Contribution | Nicki cared for her best friend who was diagnosed and passed away from stomach cancer in 2009. Her passion lies in helping people with cancer and being a proactive participant in eradicating cancer. Along with the JCAG, Nicki is a member of the Consumer Reference Group for the Department of Health and Human Services Cancer Screening and Control Services, both groups being very dear to her heart |
Nikki Davis
| Location | VIC | |
| My Contribution | Nikki is a breast cancer survivor who would like to see more people living well with their cancer. In addition to her own cancer experience, she is aware of those of many others through her work as a peer support volunteer with women experiencing breast and gynaecological cancers. Nikki works in book publishing |
Co-Chair
Nikola Stepanov
Co-Chair
| Location | VIC | |
| My Contribution | Nikola brings the perspective of a rural cancer practitioner to the JCAG and an understanding of the problems faced by rural patients who have difficulty accessing and affording cancer services, care and opportunities to enrol in trials. This also involves an awareness of the limitations of living rurally including access to the internet, transport issues and lifestyle factors including work life differences (i.e. farming versus office work). Nikola is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne; and an academic at the University of Ballarat. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne |
Julie Marker
| Location | SA | |
| My Contribution | Julie has gained a consumer’s perspective from being a 3 times metastatic colon cancer survivor and a 2 times secondary liver cancer survivor. Julie previously worked as a clinical trial coordinator, and has worked with Divisions of General Practice mostly in rural South Australia. These life experiences have given Julie an insight into ’both sides’ of the research picture, enabling her to recognise the challenges and opportunities |
Dennis Armstrong
| Location | VIC | |
| My Contribution | Dennis is a prostate cancer survivor and is committed to raising awareness about Prostate Cancer and encouraging men to become more involved in the management of their health. He holds an undergraduate degree in Asian History and Japanese and postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and in Change Management |