EMRI researcher takes major ESSA prize

Adjunct Academic Dr Francesco Bettariga has been awarded the prestigious Medal for the 2025 Best Doctoral Thesis in Australia by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Dr Bettariga's thesis, Acute and Chronic Exercise Effects on Myokine Expression and Cancer Suppression in Survivors of Breast Cancer, is supported by more than 10 publications in high‑impact journals.

The research investigated the effects that both high-impact and resistance training have on cancer cells, and found that exercise increased the levels of myokines, a protein produced by muscles which have anti-cancer effects, and which could reduce the proliferation of cancer growth by 20 to 30 per cent.

"My PhD focused on understanding how exercise can influence cancer biology, exploring mechanisms such as myokines and their potential role in suppressing tumour growth," Dr Bettariga said.

"I am incredibly honoured by this award and would like to sincerely thank my supervisors at the Exercise and Medicine Research Institute (EMRI), Professor Robert Newton, Professor Daniel Galvao, and Professor Dennis Taaffe for their guidance and support throughout this journey.

"I am also grateful to the participants who made this research possible, and to the broader research community pushing this field forward."

Professor Newton has welcomed the award, noting that the research by Dr Bettariga was already resulting in impact.

"Dr Bettariga's thesis is exceptional not only for its scientific quality, but for the extraordinary impact it has already achieved through highly cited publications and extensive national and international media coverage. It was a privilege to supervise him, and this recognition from ESSA is richly deserved, reflecting his outstanding intellect, dedication and capacity to produce research that resonates well beyond academia."

Dr Bettariga is the fifth finalist from EMRI in the past 20 years to be nominated for the ESSA Medal for Best Doctoral Thesis in Australia, and the second national winner, underscoring the sustained excellence of EMRI's doctoral training and research environment.