Professor Ross Hannan

Professor Hannan is also the founder and Head of the Department for Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at the John Curtain School of Medical Research, ANU.

Professor Hannan’s research career spans over 25 years of internationally competitive research in Australia and the US, during which he has published over 190 papers focusing on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of ribosomal RNA gene transcription and extra ribosomal roles for the nucleolus in cellular homeostasis.

He is a leading international authority on drugging the ribosomal RNA to treat disease. Most recently he has worked with multi-disciplinary teams of laboratory and clinician researchers and industry collaborators to help develop ‘first-in-class’ cancer therapies targeting RNA Polymerase I transcription of the ribosomal genes. These drugs are now in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for a range of human cancers.

He has served on numerous medical research boards including Director on the Board of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and Chair of the NBCF Scientific Advisory Board and also as Executive Director of Research for the Centre for Health and Medical Research, Australian Capital Territory Health Directorate.

Professor Hannan’s medical research and health administrative achievements have been recognised among others, by his election to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.