Yolanda Surjan

Associate Professor Yolanda Surjan serves as Head of Discipline for Radiation Therapy and Director of the Global Centre for Research and Training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Newcastle's School of Health Sciences. With a Doctor of Philosophy from the same institution, she leads translational research bridging human and veterinary radiation oncology while advancing medical education practices.

Her pioneering research focuses on two primary domains: evaluating teaching methodologies for health professionals and translating radiation therapy applications from human to veterinary medicine. Notably, she identified a critical gap in equine cancer treatment, developing protocols for radiation therapy in veterinary clinics - particularly for ocular/periocular squamous cell carcinoma in horses. This work earned her the University's inaugural Chancellor's Award for Innovation and recognition through CSIRO's ON Prime accelerator program.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on clinical translation, with significant contributions in veterinary radiation oncology, health literacy interventions for radiation therapists, and technological advancements in treatment planning. Her research demonstrates consistent progression from foundational veterinary applications toward broader implementation in human cancer care pathways.

• Chancellor's Award for Innovation (2016)
• CSIRO Breakout Female Scientist Award (2017)
• Gladys M. Brawn Fellowship (2016-2019)
• Senior Fellowship from UK Advance Higher Education Academy (2025)
• Multiple teaching excellence awards including ALTC Citation (2010)

Surjan has successfully secured over $800,000 in research funding, including CSIRO's ON Accelerate program and multiple University of Newcastle strategic grants. She supervises numerous HDR students and has established collaborative networks spanning veterinary clinics, human oncology centers, and industry partners. Her leadership extends to directing the Global Centre for Research and Training in Radiation Oncology, which aims to elevate global cancer care standards through research and education partnerships.