Sandra O'Toole

Professor Sandra O'Toole is a distinguished Professor of Pathology at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences. She also serves as a Senior Staff Specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a Senior Pathologist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. With internationally recognized expertise in breast cancer and molecular pathology, Professor O'Toole contributes significantly to both clinical practice and academic research in oncology.

Professor O'Toole holds an MBBS (Hons I), BMedSc (Hons I), PhD, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA) and Fellow of the Faculty of Science (RCPA) (FFSc). Her extensive academic credentials reflect her deep expertise in pathology and medical sciences.

Professor O'Toole's research spans multiple critical areas in cancer pathology, with a primary focus on breast cancer. She has internationally recognized expertise in breast cancer and molecular pathology, particularly in tumor microenvironment, DNA methylation in phyllodes tumors, and immune evasion in triple-negative breast cancer. Her groundbreaking work includes identifying collagen XII as a driver of metastasis and contributing to the development of a single-cell and spatial atlas of human breast cancers. She leads an international project to develop a single-cell and spatial breast cancer atlas, supported by significant funding from the National Breast Cancer Foundation (>$1.5 million) and the US Department of Defence (over USD $6 million). Professor O'Toole also leads research focused on phyllodes tumors of the breast, a rare and understudied tumor type, providing critical new insights into their epigenetic regulation.

With over 150 publications to her name, Professor O'Toole's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on advancing breast cancer diagnostics and treatment. Her work spans molecular pathology, tumor microenvironment analysis, and the development of novel diagnostic approaches. Recent publications highlight her leadership in creating comprehensive breast cancer atlases and refining diagnostic criteria for rare breast tumor types. Her research has significant translational impact, with findings directly influencing clinical practice and health policy.

Professor O'Toole's exceptional contributions to cancer research have been recognized with prestigious awards:

• Eureka Prize 2022 (ANSTO prize for innovative use of technology) as part of NanoM team led by Prof Brian Abbey
• Roche scientific e-poster prize for DNA methylation in phyllodes tumors (RCPA Updates 2024)

Professor O'Toole is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of pathologists and researchers. She supervises research focused on translational cancer pathology, with particular interests in breast cancer. Her leadership extends to national policy and curriculum development, ensuring pathology remains central to medical and clinical scientific education. She has secured significant research funding, including a National Breast Cancer Foundation grant exceeding $1.5 million and US Department of Defence funding over USD $6 million for her international breast cancer atlas project.

Professor O'Toole leads a collaborative research program centered at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She serves as the lead pathologist on an international project to develop a single-cell and spatial breast cancer atlas, working with Professor Alexander Swarbrick. She is also part of an international breast pathology expert group focused on phyllodes tumors, led by Professors Puay Hoon Tan and Emad Rakha. Her work involves close collaboration with institutions in Singapore, Sweden, Duke University, and McGill University, reflecting the global impact of her research.