Bowel cancer

Sandra Sursock is a PhD student at the University of Melbourne. She completed a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced (Honours) Degree in 2021 at Monash University. Following her studies, she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in the department of Radiation Oncology. Sandra is also currently working as a Project Officer in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Melbourne.

After completing her 4^th year Psychology thesis in 2006 on the effect of resilience and hope on adolescent academic engagement, Mandy Gibson worked with the Department of Communities Qld, and Child and Youth Mental Health Services (Qld Health). Mandy has over a decade of clinical experience as a Psychologist providing suicide risk assessments to young people following near lethal attempts and treatment to young people experiencing suicidality, complex trauma, self-harm and other mental health issues.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia, I commenced my medical training at the University of Notre Dame. I have subsequently worked as a doctor in both the public and private health sectors, being involved in the treatment of a number of patients with colorectal cancer.

I am currently involved in medical education at the University of Notre Dame and have completed further post-graduate training in health professional education.

I started medical school at the age of 16. I was actively involved in leadership activities and research throughout medical school. During clinical years, I initiated and coordinated surgical literature and technique based tutorials for medical students. I graduated in 2009 with an overall rated 1st Class Honours for the purpose of entry to the University of Melbourne PhD Program.

I obtained my general surgery fellowship in 2017.Following completion of my PhD, I will pursue further training in colorectal surgery. Subsequently, my long term plan is to work in a tertiary centre as a colorectal surgeon with a university appointment to allow me to stay involved in ongoing research.