Meet the Team

Associate Professor Michael Penniment AM is a senior radiation oncologist. He is the director of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre and also consults for Icon Cancer Centre. In 1986, he completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Adelaide and in 1995 became a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). He completed specialist oncology training in Brisbane, Queensland prior to becoming a founder of the North Queensland Oncology service in Townsville.

In 1996, Michael returned to Adelaide as a consultant radiation oncologist and completed his MBA at the University of Adelaide, receiving the honour of mace-bearer as the highest candidate of the professions. With an active interest in the provision of radiation oncology services in rural and remote areas, Michael established Darwin’s Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in 2010 and remains its Director.

Throughout his career, Michael has maintained an active interest in research, quality improvement and governance, holding key positions including with the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee from 2003 until 2010 and as a RANZCR Faculty Board member between 2006 and 2011. He is currently a member of the RANZCR Particle Therapy Group and several other leading cancer trial groups including the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the Trans Tasman Oncology Group (TROG).  In 2014, Michael was awarded the Best of ASTRO (USA) and Trial Excellence Award (TROG) for his work on a palliative oesophageal trial evaluating the efficacy of radiation therapy versus combined therapy treatment to decrease swallowing complications experienced by advanced oesophageal cancer patients.

Michael sits on the Board of the Asia-Oceania Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG-AO). He is involved in a number of Australian and international research projects with a focus on planning and developing new radiation therapy facilities and improving Indigenous cancer care and quality of life during cancer treatment. Michael’s clinical experience covers a broad range of solid tumour malignancies with special interest in breast cancer, head and neck cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer and skin cancers.

In January 2021, Michael was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to medicine, and to radiation oncology.

Julia Green is a medical physicist with a passion for clinical leadership and equitable healthcare. In 2008 she completed a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics at the University of Wollongong, followed in 2011 with a Master of Science – Research, also from the University of Wollongong. In 2021 Julia completed her Master of Business Administration (Health) at Flinders University. She completed her specialty training in Radiation Oncology Medical Physics at Genesis Cancer Care, NSW where she worked across a diverse network, igniting her interest in clinical leadership and organisational performance in healthcare.

Julia previously held the position of Chief Medical Physicist at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in Darwin, Northern Territory where she rapidly expanded the service to increase access to high quality cancer care in the region. She has been nominated for several awards in the areas of business and leadership and was the 2019 recipient of the University of Wollongong Young Alumni Award for early career excellence.

Julia is committed to inspiring more young people, women in particular, to explore STEM careers and the powerful opportunities they present, regularly participating in outreach activities and hosting students for experiential learning. Her experience in Australia’s Top End has provided perspective in equitable cancer delivery, Julia strives to ensure the best technology is available to all Australians at our national proton centre.

Associate Professor Hien Le is an experienced radiation oncologist and clinical researcher consulting at Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and Icon Cancer Centre sites in Windsor Gardens, Adelaide (Kurralta Park) and Noarlunga. He is a passionate advocate for cutting-edge cancer therapies and innovative radiation therapy technology, and dedicated to delivering comprehensive patient-centred care.

In 2003, Hien completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Adelaide and undertook specialist radiation oncology training and a clinical fellowship at the RAH. In 2011, he became a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and received the RANZCR Windeyer Fellowship award. Completing his Windeyer clinical oncology fellowship at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (UK), where he gained extensive experience in CyberKnife and MRI-guided brachytherapy techniques. He then subsequently received the RANZCR College Thomas Baker award, travelling to Massachusetts General Hospital (US) to further his knowledge and understanding of proton beam therapy.

Hien enjoys a mixture of clinical work, contributing to leading national and international publications and conferences and attending multidisciplinary meetings. He was the first in SA to treat a patient with stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy. A/Professor Le is the chair of the main neuro-oncology multidisciplinary meeting in SA and a supervisor for Masters and PhD students investigating the management and biology of cancers.

Hien is the Head of Research in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the RAH, Associate Professor at the University of South Australia, and continues to play a key role in the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research team’s proton-photon comparative planning services.

As an active member of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) and several leading cancer trial groups, Hien is the lead principal investigator of several open clinical trials. In 2020, he was appointed chair of the TROG Particle Therapy Special Interest Group. Hien has been awarded a number of research grants including the Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grant ($3M in 2023) and Medical Research Future Fund grant for the SOCRATES clinical trial ($2.3M in 2021).

Hien’s clinical experience covers a broad range of solid tumour malignancies, with a special interest in brain and spinal (CNS) cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. He can also speak fluent English and Vietnamese, and takes pride in caring for patients in their preferred language.

In 2026, he was appointed President-elect of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG). He is a member of several leading cancer trial groups and is the lead principal investigator of a number open clinical trials. Hien has been awarded a number of research grants including NHMRC and MRFF ($17M career research funding).

A/Prof Hien Le has been a key collaborator in the dissemination of information and international key stakeholder involvement for the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research.

Associate Professor Peter Gorayski is a radiation oncologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR), with a focus on complex cancer management. He also serves as Associate Professor at the University of South Australia and holds an honorary position at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

At RAH, Associate Professor Gorayski plays a significant role in introducing advanced technology in radiation oncology, including the use of automation and machine learning. He led the development of prostate stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and the Rapid Access Palliative Radiotherapy Service (RAPRS). His research interests include leveraging artificial intelligence for tumour and normal tissue segmentation as well as model-based selection in proton therapy, aiming to improve treatment planning and outcomes.

In addition to his clinical and research roles, Associate Professor Gorayski offers comparative photon/proton planning for patients under the Medical Treatment Overseas Program (MTOP). He mentors radiation oncology trainees at RAH and supervises postgraduate and PhD students at UniSA. He serves on the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Scientific Committee and is a long-standing member of the RANZCR particle therapy working group. He also helped establish the ABCPTR consumer advisory group, highlighting his dedication to patient-centered care.

Dr Jeremy Khong is committed to a holistic, patient-centred approach to care, ensuring each patient’s needs, values, and concerns are understood and respected with empathy. He values delivering personalised, evidence-based treatments aimed at achieving optimal clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and enhanced quality of survivorship.

Dr Jeremy Khong is a Radiation Oncologist at The Royal Adelaide Hospital, Icon Cancer Centre Noarlunga. Dr Khong also provides weekly consultation services in Mt Gambier. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Adelaide in 2015 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) in 2023. Dr Khong has trained extensively across Australia and the United Kingdom, including a Clinical Fellowship in Proton Beam Therapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Khong has a strong commitment to research, having authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in radiation oncology, including studies on cochlear sparing techniques and radiotherapy for skin cancers. He is currently the Principal Investigator for a clinical trial exploring Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA clearance during proton beam therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Dr Khong is also an Honorary Research Fellow at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and a Clinical Associate Lecturer at the University of Adelaide.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr Khong is deeply involved in clinical research and consumer engagement. He has presented at international conferences such as the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society Congress and hosted workshops with patients and the public to better understand their unmet needs. Through his combination of clinical acumen, research innovation, and educational contributions, Dr Khong remains dedicated to delivering world-class cancer care and advancing the field of radiation oncology.

Dr Hui Tee is a senior consultant radiation oncologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and visiting medical officer at Icon cancer Centre – Windsor Gardens, with clinical expertise in paediatric, adolescent and young adult tumours with a special interest in proton therapy and advance delivery techniques.

Upon completion of her specialist training with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, she was appointed the Proton Fellow in 2014 where she co-led the Comparative Planning for Proton and X-Ray Therapy research project that provided the foundation to the current proton versus photon treatment planning service.

Hui is currently responsible for the paediatric radiation oncology treatment for South Australia and Northern Territory including clinical work, teaching, technology implementation and protocol development. Her other major clinical interests include management of adolescent and young adult malignancies, lymphoma, sarcoma and central nervous system tumours.

Dr Tee currently serves as the RAH Director of Training for the RANZCR South Australia and Northern Territory Training network, lectures at the University of South Australia and an active member of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, Faculty of Radiation Oncology Particle Therapy, Paediatric Interest Group, Australia and New Zealand Children’s Oncology Group, the American Society of Radiation Oncology and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology.

She has also maintained active research collaborations internationally with the Children’s Oncology Group, International Society of Paediatric Oncology and the Proton and Photon Consortium Registry, and nationally with the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) as an investigator in a number of TROG trials.

Affiliate Professor Jordan Hansford is the lead in paediatric neuro-oncology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and lead of the Paediatric Neuro-Oncology at the South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute. He is cross-appointed at the South Australia ImmunoGenomics Cancer Institute at the University of Adelaide. He has collaborative preclinical and clinical projects nationally and internationally, and has published widely in paediatric neuro-oncology with over 85 papers cited >5000 times. He is PI or co-PI on several national and international brain tumour studies including early phase studies. He currently runs the paediatric brain cancer biobank in South Australia.

He has been awarded or co-awarded nearly $20M in funding for pre-clinical or clinical trials.

He is an advisor for the Rare Brain Tumours Consortium based out of the Hospital for Sick Children Toronto. He is a director of ANZCHOG and is the chair of our Brain group. He has led or contributed to many paediatric brain tumour trials leading to disease specific improvements to clinical care and outcomes in many disease types including the practice changing targeted therapy in LGG.  He was invited to participate in the Australian Minister of Health’s National Roadmap to tackle Brain Cancer and the development of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission and now sits on their board. Most recently his ANZCHOG team has been focussed on the translation of methylation profiling to the upfront diagnostics of paediatric brain tumours that is now offered nationally as a NATA approved pathology test. This has led to changes in clinical practice across the country.

Prof. Hansford is an integral part of the Bragg team and has a keen interest in proton therapy, research and the equity of care for young brain cancer patients.

Associate Professor Scott Penfold is the Lead Medical Physicist at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR). He is an Affiliate Associate Professor with the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences at Adelaide University. He previously worked as a medical physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Scott first started working in the field of proton therapy during his PhD studies at the University of Wollongong in 2007. The project investigated image reconstruction methods in proton computed tomography. During his PhD, Scott was supported by a Cancer Institute NSW Research Scholars Award to spend time at Loma Linda University Medical Centre, the site of the world’s first hospital-based proton therapy system.

Following the announcement of Commonwealth Funding to support the Australian Bragg Centre project, Scott instigated the Particle Therapy Working Group (PTWG) within the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM). Scott is also a member of the TROG Particle Therapy Special Interest Group, and the PTCOG Asia-Oceania Steering Committee.

Scott’s ultimate objective is to use physics to improve the patient experience in radiotherapy, be it through more precise delivery, shorter treatment courses or improving access by reducing costs.

Associate Professor Alexandre Santos is a Medical Physicist at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR). He is also a Senior Medical Physicist at Central Adelaide Local Health Network and an Affiliate Associate Professor at Adelaide University.

Alex completed his PhD in Medical Physics at the University of Adelaide in 2016 and, in the same year, completed the Training, Education and Accreditation Program to become a certified ROMP with the Australasian College of Physical Scientists & Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM). Early in his career, he undertook a research project and clinical observership in proton therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, supported by a Cancer Council SA Beat Cancer Project Travel Grant.

Since then, Alex has played a leading role in proton therapy treatment planning, clinical translation, and research within South Australia. His work focuses on the development, evaluation, and implementation of particle therapy technologies and pathways in Australia. He has been actively involved in national professional initiatives, where he chairs the ACPSEM Particle Therapy Working Group, supporting the growth of proton therapy capability across the region.

Kelly Skelton is Registry Project Manager for the Australian Particle Therapy Clinical Quality Registry (ASPIRE) at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research, where she co-leads Australia’s first radiation oncology specific clinical quality registry. She also serves as Project Manager for the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Paediatric Proton Photon Consortium Registry (PPCR), at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, , overseeing international data-sharing initiatives focused on paediatric cancer outcomes.

Kelly is a PhD candidate at Adelaide University, where her research focuses on the development and pilot of a national proton therapy survivorship program. Her work aims to generate evidence on long-term outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors treated with proton versus photon radiation therapy.

With over 20 years’ experience in radiation oncology nursing and research, Kelly has a strong background in clinical registries, data management and multidisciplinary project leadership. She previously worked as a Research Nurse and Data Manager for the Youth Cancer Service SA/NT and as a Clinical Research Associate with the Australasian Oncofertility Registry (FUTuRE Fertility), contributing to research on long-term reproductive health outcomes.

Kelly holds a Master of Cancer Sciences from the University of Melbourne and a postgraduate qualification in adolescent health and well-being (oncology stream). She is actively involved in national leadership and advisory groups, including executive roles with the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA), Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), eviQ, and TROG Cancer Research.

She has received awards for her contributions to research and clinical practice, including the SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award and the TROG Cancer Research Excellence Award. Kelly is passionate about improving equity of access to advanced cancer treatments and embedding patient-centred outcomes into clinical care and research.

Melanie Penfold is the Lead Radiation Therapist at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR), bringing over 20 years of experience across Australia, England, and the United States. With a strong clinical foundation and global perspective, Melanie has developed extensive expertise in advanced radiation therapy practices, including proton therapy.

Melanie has demonstrated sustained leadership within the profession, serving as Chair of the ASMIRT Particle Therapy Reference Group for six years and currently holding the position of Chair of the SA/NT ASMIRT Branch. Her commitment to advancing the field is underpinned by both clinical excellence and strategic insight, further strengthened by the completion of her MBA in 2018.

At ABCPTR, Melanie oversees the consumer group, ensuring that patient and family perspectives are central to the design and implementation of new services. She is passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for patients, not only through innovative treatment but also through holistic, supportive care.

Dr Mikaela Doig is the Research Radiation Therapist at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR). She is a practicing Radiation Therapist at Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens.

Driven by a deep passion to enhance outcomes for children with cancer, Mikaela’s PhD research investigated the quality of life in childhood cancer survivors after photon and proton radiation therapy. Mikaela is the primary investigator for multiple research studies including collaborations with local and international teams. Mikaela is committed to translating research findings into clinical practice to enhance patient-centred care and ultimately improve treatment outcomes.

In 2023, Mikaela spent three months as a Visiting Researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. She led a research study with the Pediatric Proton Photon Consortium Registry team and gained clinical experience shadowing Radiation Therapists, Dosimetrists and Medical Physicists.

Mikaela is actively involved in the national particle therapy community as an enthusiastic member of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) Particle Therapy Reference Group. Committed to ensuring comprehensive access to high-quality care, she is an advocate for improving access, outcomes and equity for First Nations and LGBTQIA+ people with cancer. Her consistent involvement in both professional and community organisations underscores her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in healthcare.

Rosanna Crain is one of our Comparative Planning Radiation Therapists at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR). She has more than 13 years’ experience as a Radiation Therapist with previous positions at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in the Northern Territory and currently in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

Rosanna has a high level of technical knowledge across a number of modalities & multiple Treatment Planning Systems including but not limited to conformal, Superficial X-Rays, Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, Deep Inspiration Breath Hold, Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy and paediatric treatment and planning.  She also has significant experience in proton planning on Raystation, Eclipse and Monaco Treatment Planning Systems.

Rosanna has been part of the implementation team of new and developing techniques such as SABR prostate & the viability of free-breathing VMAT Breast & Chest wall plans at the RAH. With significant experience in drafting protocols for new techniques & reviewing documentation. While working in the Northern Territory she was a key collaborator in creating a range of Indigenous information videos and was actively involved in Closing the Gap activities within the First Nations patient cohort.

Rosanna is also an exceptional artist and has been a pioneer in painting the immobilisation masks for treating paediatric patients at the RAH ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.

Emma Shierlaw is one of our Comparative Planning Radiation Therapists at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR). She has more than 14 years’ experience as a Radiation Therapist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

Emma has led the RAH Proton Comparative Planning team for the past four years. She is highly experienced in radiotherapy treatment planning and has developed advanced planning skills across a variety of treatment planning software programs, including RayStation, Pinnacle, Eclipse and Monaco.

She is adept at managing data transfers from interstate referrers, communicating with the multidisciplinary team, completing high quality comparative photon and proton plans and producing documentation to summarise the comparative planning process. Emma has been a leader in the training development arena and has been responsible for the implementation of training programs for other Radiation Therapists in RayStation planning and Intensity Modulating Proton Therapy planning.

Emma also has a strong background in research and has been an active part of the RAH Research Team including dosimetry specialist for the Paediatric Proton Photon Consortium Registry.

Amber Murray is the Senior Data Manager for the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR) Clinical Quality Cancer Registry.

Amber was previously employed to coordinate and manage data of all phases of clinical trial research conducted in the Radiation Oncology department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

With an honours degree in Bachelor of Psychological Science with a secondary interest in Pathology Amber comes with extensive experience in managing clinical research documentation and data collection. Including experience in clinical trial submissions, reporting and maintaining governance approvals that are required by Lead Ethics Committee’s and local Research Governance Offices.

Amber previously held an academic tutoring position at Adelaide University in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences for the Health and Illness in populations public health course.