Sophy Athan is a lived experience consumer leader and advocate with several academic qualifications, including a Bachelor and Master of Arts, two graduate diplomas and leadership certificates. She has substantial experience as a consumer representative in cancer research projects including the role of chief investigator and associate investigator. In her role as Chair of the Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre from 2015-2023 she has been involved in several oncology-specific committees and advisory panels. Sophy currently serves on a number of boards, committees and advisory panels within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Chair of Health Issues Centre (2012-2024), Victorian Clinical Council (2018-2025), Health Information Exchange Victorian Department of Health, Outer East Primary Care Partnership Chair of CAC (2016-2023), Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. She has previously served on many other committees, including steering committees for the Department of Health and Human Services of the Victoria State Government. Sophy continues to be involved around issues of mental health, disability, aged care and diversity advocating for better health outcomes for everyone. Sophy has been a regular presenter at conferences at national and international levels and has contributed to a number of published research papers.

Jeff Cuff has a long-term interest and involvement in a number of research projects and committees within Cancer Council NSW and the Daffodil Centre, including on MCD Spotlight and the Australian Cancer Risk Study.

Jeff’s interest in cancer research started following the death of his wife Shirley to colorectal cancer 12 years ago. Jeff is currently part of studies at QIMR; ONJCRI, Westmead Institute of Research, and GI Cancer trials. He has a lab position at UNSW and Chairs the Community Advisory Panel for the AGITG – now GI Cancer Trials.

Mario Corena is a South Australian health advocate, cancer and cardiac survivor, and passionate voice for consumer-led healthcare reform. At just 15, Mario was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and given only five months to live—a prognosis he defied, beginning a lifelong journey through the health system. He later faced Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the stomach in his mid-30s, followed by a heart attack requiring triple bypass surgery at 38, and a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implant (TAVI) procedure at 57.

Drawing on decades of lived experience, Mario is deeply involved in health advocacy, particularly in mental health, where he works to bridge the gap between physical illness and psychological wellbeing. He contributes to research, advisory groups, and community initiatives across South Australia, championing patient voices and improved care outcomes.

A committed survivor and advocate, Mario continues to support cancer and cardiac research while raising awareness of the lasting mental health impacts of serious illness.

Howard Lance brings a distinctly rural, lived experience lens to the MCD Spotlight Research Program. As a long standing consumer advocate and trusted community anchor in Western Australia, his work centres on dignity, emotional safety, and the practical realities faced by people navigating health, ageing, and social systems.

Howard’s research interests grow out of decades of community engagement, committee work, and whole person advocacy. He contributes a voice shaped by real stories, rural constraints, and the quiet persistence required to build trust in small communities. His focus is on translating lived experience into insights that strengthen policy, improve service design, and honour the humanity of those most affected by decisions.
Through MCD Spotlight, Howard aims to elevate grounded, narrative rich perspectives that are too often overlooked—bringing forward research that listens first, includes widely, and keeps people at the centre.

Renee McNab is a passionate advocate with lived experience, known for her commitment to driving meaningful change across both the healthcare and justice systems. Her work is grounded in a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals navigating complex institutions, and a belief that lived experience should be recognised as valuable expertise in its own right.

She has a particular interest in improving outcomes within healthcare, including cancer care, patient support pathways, and advocacy, with a focus on ensuring individuals are heard, respected, and properly supported during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Renee is also committed to justice system reform, with a focus on fairness, accountability, and rehabilitation. She advocates for systems that not only hold people accountable but also provide genuine pathways for change and reintegration.

Her approach is driven by empathy, integrity, and a commitment to creating safer, more equitable systems for all.

A keen advocate for preventive health, Robyn began her connection with Inherited Cancers Australia by volunteering & connecting with her local high-risk community back in 2012. She has a background in finance and more recently extensive experience in the Not-for-Profit preventative health sector. Robyn is a keen advocate for informed decision making around managing cancer risk. She is part of several research teams and working groups contributing to studies relevant to the hereditary cancer community and is currently on the Genomics Australia Advisory Council. 

Jenny Timor is a dedicated advocate for vulnerable members of the community. Recently retired, she continues to contribute her expertise as a Consumer Representative across several groups, including Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Community Champions, Indigenous Genomic Healthcare, the Consumer Advisory Group for Genomic Healthcare, the Queensland Clinical Senate, and most recently as a Consumer and Research Advocate with the MCD Spotlight Research Program.

A proud woman of Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander heritage, Jenny brings strong cultural knowledge and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations communities in the Mackay region.

Through her ongoing advocacy, Jenny actively supports the development of culturally informed, evidence-based healthcare. She is particularly passionate about the potential of genomic precision medicine to deliver more personalised treatments and improved health outcomes for future generations.

Nick Verry is an injury management professional, Exercise Physiologist, and law student based in Queensland. Diagnosed with Stage 3 oesophageal cancer in April 2023 at age 34, Nick brings a unique “both sides of the scalpel” perspective to his advocacy work. Following cancer treatment and a complex surgical recovery, he has dedicated himself to improving patient experiences, survivorship, and advancing early diagnostic strategies. Nick leverages his clinical background and lived experience as a high-acuity patient to advise on critical health initiatives. Alongside his role with the Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) study, he serves as a consumer advisor for the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP) and actively raises funds for upper GI cancers through his marathon running.