January 31, 2025#WeAreNorthern
In light of World Cancer Day (4 February) next week, we spoke to Sharni Norouzi, Research Coordinator- Scientist, part of our Cancer Clinical Trials team.
Q: First, can I have your coffee order please Sharni?
A: I’m not a real coffee drinker, but I usually go for a small flat white, extra hot please.
Q: Tell us of your role in the Cancer Clinical Trials team?
A: I have a dual role, contributing both to an important project supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) patients and to the overall clinical coordination of cancer trials.
Q: What satisfaction does your role give you?
A: My role allows me to make a real difference in the lives of people from diverse backgrounds. Having experienced the challenges of adjusting to a new country and language myself, I truly understand how hard it can be to navigate life in a foreign place.
Being able to support CALD communities, including my own, has always been my passion. In my home country, I faced restrictions that prevented me from serving my community in the way I wanted to. But here, I feel empowered to do just that. Particularly when working with individuals facing serious health issues like cancer, I find great purpose in providing the support they need, knowing how important it is to feel understood and cared for during such challenging times.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face?
A: One of the challenges for the unit is that, according to survey results, two-thirds of our cancer patients are not aware of the availability of cancer clinical trials at Northern Health. Addressing this awareness gap has become a key focus for me.
Q: What are your plans for 2025?
A: We have been conducting surveys with patients and their carers, interpreters/ translators from the TALS department, and healthcare providers, and have established three separate focus groups with each of these group. Based on the insights gathered from the surveys and focus groups, we are now moving into a co-design process to develop pilot toolkits that will improve access and support for CALD patients.
Q: Tell us of your journey prior to joining Northern Health?
A: I started my career in academia, focusing on research and teaching. I completed my master’s degree in Biochemistry in my home country, Iran. In 2015, I moved to Australia and completed my PhD in Medical Science in beautiful Tasmania, a place I will always love. I then did postdoctoral research at Oxidant and Inflammation Biology (OXIB) group at RMIT University and the Markey Cancer Centre at the University of Kentucky in the US, before joining the Northern Health Cancer Clinical Trials team.
Q: What are the best things about working at Northern Health?
A: One of the best things about working at Northern Health is its multicultural environment, where I never feel like a stranger. I also really appreciate the supportive and friendly atmosphere in the Cancer Clinical Trials unit. My colleagues are always kind and welcoming, which makes it a wonderful place to work.
Q: What are your interests outside work?
A: I have a passion for teaching my mother tongue, Persian, especially to my children. My six-year-old son is already able to communicate fluently in Persian and is halfway through learning to write in it. I also teach Persian on Saturdays at the Victorian School of Languages, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Q: What is something not many people know about you?
A: I scan everything with the Yuka app before I eat to make sure it’s healthy!
