Katherine E Francis Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2020

Katherine E Francis

Katherine is a medical oncologist who currently works at Wollongong and Shoalhaven hospitals on the beautiful south coast of NSW. She considers clinical trials a core aspect of delivering optimal cancer care and currently also works part-time for the University of Sydney NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, supporting the conduct of current and future clinical trials for gynecological cancer and for difficult-to-manage cancer symptoms. An active cancer researcher, Katherine holds a second degree in Electrical Engineering and is using her skills in biostatistics and computer programming to develop innovative ways to better evaluate and communicate the potential harms from cancer treatments to clinicians and patients. She is finalizing her PhD at the University of Sydney, where she has developed novel tools that focus on overlooked aspects of cancer treatment side effects, including lower-grade but persistent or recurrent harms, and their impact on treatment adherence, and outcomes. Beyond her clinical and research work, Katherine has a long-term love of art, particularly music and visual arts. She plays both the piano and cello and many evenings, once her daughters are asleep, will be found with brush or pen in hand, creating into the night. Art brings her joy, was a source of sanity during the challenges of medical training, and continues to be her happy place.