UNDERST DI J

For her services to medicine, tertiary education and Indian community

USHARARVIND

AlcohoJ -induced pancreatiris and pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive form of cancer with high mortality to -inc idence ratio, have been the focus of Dr :Minoti Vivek Apte's research for neacly tluee decades no\v. Hirl1erco, pancreacic cancer has defied traditional tl1erapeuric approaches, spreading aggressively before v isible symptoms appear.

A professor in the Facuh:y of Medicine at University of New South Wales and rile lngbJltn lnstimte of Applied Medical Research and Director of the

Pancreatic Research Group, Dr Apte was the first in the wotld co isolate and characterise the pancrearic scellate cell (PSC), the key cell responsible for producing scar tissue in the pancreas. An internationally acknow ledged researcher in rl1e field of alcohol-i.nducecl pancreatic injury, sbe is particularly recognised as a pioneer in the field of pancreatic /ibrogenesis. More recently, her work has established rl1ar close cross -talk bet\veen srellate cells and cancer cells is responsible for rapid progression of pancreatic cancer These pioneering srudies, have helped put Australian pan creatic research on the world map.

Dr Apte has a very accive sen,ice record at Faculty, University and Discipline Jevds. She is a fouoding member of the Australasian Pancreatic Club and Asian Oceanic

D CPancreatic Association. As past chair of tbe Faculcy HJgher Degree Committee and as pose-graduate coordinator for tl1e South \Western Sydney C linical School, Dr Apre has mentored numerous medical and science smde nts.

"Nurturing talenc is a very important respons ibility to preserve the future of medicine and research in our country," Dr Apte acknowledged.

"Students need tl1e right stmctnre and guidance rl1r0t1gh their journey. As medicine becomes more evide nce- based, we have ro engender stro ng research skill s and critical rl1inking," she added. She also regularly engages with the research community worldwide through gastroencero logical forums. 1n recognicion of her significant contrib u tion, she was recently made a Fellow of the American