Westpac Scholar determined to improve health outcomes in Australia

Early career researcher, Monica Phimmachanh is on a mission to advance cancer treatment in Australia. With the backing of Westpac Scholars Trust, she just completed a PhD at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research – work that could transform health outcomes for cancer patients. 

 

Growing up in Sydney, the daughter of two migrant parents, Monica has always had a strong work ethic and a passion for learning. Alongside an unwavering belief that anything is possible, she demonstrated from an early age qualities that would prime her for a career in research.

 

After forming a fascination with biomedical science while completing her undergraduate degree at a molecular biology laboratory, Monica learnt about essential proteins in the human body that can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

 

In 2021, after her friends encouraged her to apply, she submitted an application for a Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, a program that invests $120,000 in next-generation leaders pursuing postgraduate study or research.

 

This led Monica to pursue a PhD at UNSW investigating a class of anti-cancer agents which have been developed in recent decades. Also known as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, these agents are used to mitigate the imbalance of a superfamily of enzyme by the same name.

 

“By undertaking this analysis, my research aims to provide a more robust mechanistic rationale for the use of HDAC inhibitors in the clinic and allow for the design of optimal drug combinations capable of improving survival outcomes for cancer patients,” said Monica.

 

In addition to cancer, dysregulation of HDACs has also been implicated in other disease contexts such as heart disease, neurological and metabolic disorders. By understanding the complex biological roles of these enzymes, Monica hopes to effectively utilise the inhibitors that target them in the future.

 

“This would offer additional avenues of treatment for these diseases and ultimately improve health outcomes for Australians,” she said.

 

Having now submitted her thesis, Monica is filled with gratitude for the support she received at both the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and from Westpac Scholars Trust.

 

“As I reflect on the four years of my life that have culminated in this body of work, I couldn’t be more thankful for the invaluable guidance of my supervisors, the access to cutting-edge technologies, the global travel opportunities and the collaborations with like-minded researchers and scholars.”

 

But the story doesn’t end here. Monica intends to continue working as a postdoctoral researcher and plans to publish her findings later in the year.

 

“The learnings from my thesis have been really exciting but there is still so much to uncover and pursue from this project. In five years, I hope to see our work being translated into clinical trials and on the way to improving health outcomes,” she said.

 

And while she’s at it, Monica continues to champion for women in STEM. Alongside her research, she’s passionate about being a role model for young women in science. Always seeking opportunities to showcase her work and share her experiences at conferences and events, Monica hopes to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue their passions, just as she has.

 

It’s with the same infectious optimism that she encourages others to apply for a life-changing Future Leaders Scholarship, saying:

 

“It isn’t about being the best applicant with perfect grades or a long list of achievements. It’s inherently about you and your unique experiences, struggles, passions and personality. It’s important to be yourself and to tell your story honestly.”

 

Since 2015, Westpac Scholars Trust along with its university partners have invested over $40 million into a network of 830+ scholars and is committed to awarding 100 scholarships a year, forever.

 

Applications are now open for 2026 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships, apply now.