Lung Foundation Australia has given a $10,000 award to Melbourne lung cancer researcher Dr Tracy Leong to further her professional development.

Dr Leong was recognised with the Foundation’s second annual Professor Christine Jenkins AM Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award at the Celebrating Women of Influence in Lung Health dinner.

Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said Dr Leong, who is the Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Respiratory Lung Cancer Lead at Austin Health had shown incredible dedication to furthering our understanding of lung disease.

“On International Women’s Day and every day, we champion the vital contributions made by influential women in the lung health and research community. Our industries rely on the inspiring and life changing discoveries the work of Dr Leong and others make,” he said.

Dr Leong, who is also a Senior Lung Cancer Clinician Researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Chair of the national TRACKER biobank, said she felt the award raises hope in the industry and community.

“The award raises the visibility of lung cancer research. It raises the profiles of women and men who work relentlessly to make lung cancer a condition with which you live well and to which you do not succumb,” she said.

“I believe strongly in the power of women to lead in clinical medicine and research and will continue to be an active mentor of the next generation of female leaders in respiratory health.”  

The Professor Christine Jenkins AM Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award provides an early to mid-career practitioner $10,000 to use towards professional development in next year. The award was named in honour of Prof Jenkins whose career in respiratory practice and clinical research has made considerable contributions to advocacy, leadership and guideline development for lung health in Australia and internationally.

Professor Christine Jenkins AM said Dr Leong was a truly deserving recipient.

“I am looking forward to seeing her continuing to advocate and research for lung health in Australia,” she said.

“This award is exciting because it acknowledges the achievements of dedicated clinicians and researchers early in their careers, helps and encourages their professional development.”