Anna completed her medical training at UWA in 1990, medical oncology training (FRACP) in 2000, and a PhD at UWA in 2003 in tumour immunology. With her laboratory-based PhD thesis, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical trials and quality of life research, Anna has gained a unique translational perspective with expertise in laboratory science, clinical trials, patient-rated outcomes and quality of life. She has longstanding research and clinical interests in malignant mesothelioma. As the Director of NCARD Professor Nowak leads and collaborates with around 35 scientific staff and graduate students. Anna is passionate about patient-doctor communication, mentoring, and women in oncology and science.