Encore: The remarkable life of Professor Richard Scolyer
From Conversations by ABC Australia
June 9, 2026 · 52 min
About this episode
This episode explores the life and contributions of Professor Richard Scolyer, a pioneering cancer researcher who faced his own battle with brain cancer.
The former Australian of the Year and pioneering cancer researcher, died from brain cancer on Sunday evening. Richard was a world-leading melanoma pathologist and cancer researcher. After his own aggressive brain cancer was diagnosed in 2023, Richard volunteered to be 'patient zero' in an experimental medical approach, which applied some of the discoveries he and his team had made in melanoma treatment. Richard credited much of his determination, optimism, and humility, to his childhood in Tasmania. Sarah spoke with Richard in 2024. Richard's memoir is called Brainstorm. This episode of Conversations explores cancer research, melanoma treatment, brain tumour, neurosurgery, recovery. radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Australian of the Year, death, grief, terminal illness, pioneering research, family, great Australians, open letters. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
People in this episode
Host: Sarah
Guest: Professor Richard Scolyer
Topics covered
- cancer research
- melanoma treatment
- brain tumour
- neurosurgery
- terminal illness
- grief
- pioneering research
Keywords
- cancer
- melanoma
- immunotherapy
- chemotherapy
- radiation
- Australian of the Year
- pioneering research
- family
- grief
- terminal illness
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ABC Australia
Books & works: Brainstorm
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