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Cancer researcher: Australia’s Woman of Influence

Professor Adele Green AC, a senior scientist at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, was named The Westpac Group and Financial Review Group’s 2013 100 Women of Influence overall winner last night which was presented at a gala event in Sydney.

As part of the annual 100 Women of Influence awards, Prof. Green was recognised for her leading role in melanoma research over the past 20 years. She also won the Innovation category, which is testament to her work as she fights against Australia’s most common cancer. As Head of Cancer and Population Studies, Prof. Green was instrumental in setting the benchmark for melanoma prevention by conducting research which proved that daily sunscreen use can halve the risk of melanoma.

“This is a tremendous and unexpected honour. My great thanks goes to Westpac and the Financial Review for promoting the achievements of Australia’s women in such a wonderful way. There are many highly influential women working in medical research in this country today and I’d like to think I’m accepting this award on their behalf as well. It’s very rewarding to have our work in medical research recognised like this and a source of enormous encouragement, for which I’m deeply grateful,” said Prof. Green, who was also a 2013 Australian of the Year Finalist.

The 100 Women of Influence awards also recognised ten other esteemed women across various categories including Entrepreneur, Innovation and Philanthropy.

Westpac Group Chief Executive Officer Gail Kelly said: “Professor Green is truly an inspiring woman whose work on understanding the causes of cancer and how to better prevent and manage melanoma is of great importance, particularly for Australians. She is internationally recognised not only for her achievements in medicine but also in the wider academic community.

“In this year’s awards, we’ve highlighted just some of our talented women from a number of fields. We have many women role models in Australia and we hope that by sharing their stories others will also be inspired to make a difference.”

Fairfax Media Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Greg Hywood said: “I’d like to personally congratulate Professor Adele Green on her achievements and on being awarded the 2013 Overall Winner. After being named Queensland’s Australian of the year, we are delighted to be able to recognise and reward her hard work and research in finding a cure for skin cancer melanomas.

“Each finalist should be proud of their achievements, with over 500 nominations we experienced a grueling judging process and as a result we are able to celebrate the commitment and dedication these amazing women are making on society.

“As we move towards a gender balanced work force and work towards gender equality at a board level I am delighted that Fairfax Media is able to support such a talented pool of women.”

For more information, including the full list of 100 Women of Influence, please visit www.afr.com.au/100women.