A dedicated specialist and researcher in pancreatic cancer, Brett Knowles is the lead investigator for the DIRECT-InspIRE Nanoknife clinical trial, a Principal Investigator for the Pancreatic organoid project and a member of the PURPLE registry steering committee.

A dynamic researcher, A/Prof Pilgrim is the Principal Investigator (PI)  for both the IRE Nanoknife study and the PURPLE Translational Registry at Alfred Health, the MASTERPLAN trial at The Alfred and Cabrini, and the PanTher Trial at the Alfred. 

Recently awarded an Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant for the SCANPatient study, A/Prof Pilgrim is the PI for a nationwide study that will test a diagnostic radiology synoptic report designed to support the accurate assessment of a patient's suitability for pancreatic cancer surgery. 

A/Prof Pilgrim also consults at Upper GI Robotic Surgery at Cabrini Medical Centre and at the Peninsula Private Consulting Suites in Frankston.

Dr Ko is subspecialist fellowship-trained in breast imaging (Melbourne, AUS), imaging research (Toronto, CAN) and paediatric radiology (Heidelberg, GER).

Since her experimental laboratory-based medical doctorate (Mairbäurl, Effects of Hypoxia on NaK-ATPase in A549 epithelial lung cells), Dr Ko’s focus has been on harnessing clinical and research data to advance translational medicine. Her most recent research includes higher computational analysis, artificial intelligence, and radiomics to develop predictive imaging biomarkers. In recognition of her contribution, Dr Ko was chosen as one of six finalists at the 19th Annual Research Australia Award 2022.

She has won multiple national and international grants (e. g. Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Grant, Neuhauser Fellowship Award by the European Soc. of Paediatric Radiology and the Children’s Hospital Boston, USA).

Dr Ko is an active member of RANZCR Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence and of the German Roentgen Society (DRG) Working Party Methodology and Research.

A strong supporter of evidence-based medicine, Dr Ko believes in the strengths of multidisciplinarity and inclusiveness as key ingredients of research innovation and impact.