Roslyn Francis

Ros is an academic Nuclear Medicine Specialist and combines clinical practice with an active and impactful research career. After graduating from University of Western Australia in 1994 she held a Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Fellowship for 4 years, undertaking a PhD at the Royal Free Hospital London on antibody therapies. Following relocation back to Australia in 2003, Ros completed Australian requirements for physician training and specialisation in Nuclear Medicine. Ros has held positions in Western Australia as Nuclear Medicine Specialist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital from 2007 (Head of Department 2013-2023) and an academic appointment at UWA from 2010 as A/Prof Molecular Imaging, UWA Medical School. In 2024, Ros commenced in Brisbane as Nuclear Medicine Specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Professor and Group Leader UQ-AIBN and Director Herston Imaging Research Facility.

Ros has a research portfolio encompassing discovery research to clinical trials with radiopharmaceuticals for imaging or therapy (theranostics). Her research has spanned preclinical and human imaging, with a strong focus on image quality and quantitation. Ros is chief investigator on competitive research grants > $36million in the last 10 years, including NHMRC CRE, MRFF clinical trials and ACRF infrastructure grants. In Queensland, Ros is leading an $1.8 million MRFF grant investigating a new radio-imaging agent to guide targeted therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer. Ros has 95 publications, 52 the last 5 years, including in leading journals Lancet x2, Lancet Oncol x4 and J Nucl Med x 5 (h index 31, >5000 citations).

Ros has been inaugural Scientific Chair of Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials network (ARTnet) since 2014. ARTnet has facilitated internationally impactful multicentre clinical trials in Australia, leading to high citation publications (Lancet 2020; Lancet 2021), social media and public interest, government/policy impact (Medicare recommendations) and incorporation into international practice guidelines. The ProPSMA trial, the first co-badged ARTnet/ANZUP study, was awarded the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance Trial of the Year in 2021. ARTnet has also established quality programs including PET camera accreditation, and radiopharmaceutical production standards which are critical for imaging validity in multicentre trials.

Ros has made a significant professional contribution to Nuclear Medicine in Australia. She is past President of Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), and is actively engaged with National Imaging Facility, including leading activity streams in the human molecular imaging translational network. She has participated in government/advisory roles including WA Radiological Council, MSAC radiopharmaceuticals working group committee, MSAC review subcommittee (Oncology) and ANSTO clinical advisory committee. Her strong international standing in clinical trials with radiopharmaceuticals is highlighted by invited presentations to EORTC imaging group, and participation in international working groups to enhance research facilitation. She has been an invited speaker at multiple national and international scientific meetings, including plenary sessions. She is a previous co-convenor of ANZSNM annual scientific meeting.

Ros values mentorship and supervision. She has supervised 4 PhD students to completion and is currently supervising 4 PhD students. She has provided clinical mentorship for Nuclear Medicine advanced trainees for over 15 years and provides mentorship for early career researchers. She has undertaken career engagement activities including clinician academic career events (Academy of Health and Medical Sciences) and as invited speaker for International Women’s Day.