RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Jordan Hansford, MD

Dr. Jordan R. Hansford

Clinical Lead – Neuro-Oncology group

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne

1. Where are you from?/Where did you study?

I was born in Winnipeg, MB, Canada and grew up in Toronto, ON. I did pre-med/life sciences and Masters in pathology (cancer genetics) at Queen’s University in Canada. I did my medical degree through University of Sydney, Australia. My fellowship training was in many institutions throughout Australia but my brain interest and training was fostered through my time with Dr. Nick Gottardo of Perth.

2. What are you researching right now?

My interest is diverse as primarily a neuro-oncology clinician. We have several collaborative projects including rare embryonal brain tumours, ependymoma and brain tumour diagnostics. One of our newer and exciting projects is our DIPG immunotherapy project in collaboration with Dr. Misty Jenkins of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.

3. Who is your all-time favorite scientist and why?

Tough question, but I would probably go with Judah Folkman. I learned of the anti-angiogenesis story as a student and found his approach from a totally different field to oncology amazing and the work his group did, fascinating.

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am an avid, avid ice hockey fan. Sunday morning Australian time is Hockey Night in Canada and I am usually watching!

5. Favorite food?

Pizza, steak, ribs. I can’t choose!

6. Why science?

I always had an aptitude to maths and sciences as a young man. I was drawn to Oncology after my grandfather passed of cancer, and paediatrics found me, as I loved the energy and attitude of the kids undergoing therapy. You just want to work harder and harder for them!

7. Who/What has inspired you to work on DIPG?

The families of our children inspire us to work on DIPG. If we can contribute in even the smallest way to finding a cure, we should!

8. What are you reading right now?

I’ll admit I am not an avid reader of non-medical literature, but been working on Sapiens, A brief history of human kind by Yuval Noah Harari. I not infrequently will read The Hockey News too!

9. If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering a research career, what would it be?

Work hard and treat people nicely. You never know where life will take you, but if you do those things, good things are sure to follow. I would like to think I am a testament to that.