Professor Nick Gottardo recognised for advancing childhood cancer treatment in WA

The Child Cancer Research Foundation (CCRF) congratulates Professor Nick Gottardo on being named a finalist for Western Australian of the Year 2026, recognising his significant contribution to childhood cancer treatment and research.

Professor Gottardo is Clinical Director of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre and a leading paediatric oncologist whose work has helped improve outcomes for children facing cancer, particularly children diagnosed with brain tumours.

According to reporting by The West Australian, Professor Gottardo has led the Australian and New Zealand AIM BRAIN project, which uses advanced molecular profiling to improve diagnosis and personalise treatment pathways for children with brain cancers. The program has helped move childhood cancer care away from a “one size fits all” approach and toward more precise, targeted treatment based on the individual biology of each child’s tumour. Importantly, the work also focuses on reducing the long-term impacts many survivors experience following treatment.

“The goal is not only to cure more children, but to do it with kinder, less toxic treatments,” Professor Gottardo told The West Australian.

That focus strongly aligns with the growing recognition across the childhood cancer sector that survival alone is not enough. Today, around 80 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer survive, but many continue to face lifelong physical, cognitive and emotional impacts from treatment. Research that improves both survival and long-term quality of life is critical.

At CCRF, we know progress in childhood cancer happens because of researchers, clinicians, families and supporters all working together to improve outcomes for children and young people. Recognition like this highlights the importance of continued investment in childhood cancer research, innovation and survivorship support here in Western Australia and across the country.

We congratulate Professor Nick Gottardo and the wider childhood cancer community on this well-deserved recognition.

Source: The West Australian, Kirsty Lichtenstein, 22 May 2026.