FUNDING THE BEST BRAINS TO BEAT BRAIN CANCER
Dr Charlie Teo AM, Professor of Neurosurgery
Director and Founder, Charlie Teo Foundation
FUNDER PROFILE
Filmed in Sydney, Australia | December 2024
The Charlie Teo Foundation is dedicated to funding and advancing research into brain cancer, with a particular focus on developing more effective treatments and finding a cure for this devastating disease. The foundation’s mission includes:
- Supporting cutting-edge research: The foundation funds innovative research into brain cancer, aiming to discover new therapies, improve outcomes, and ultimately find a cure.
- Raising awareness: The foundation works to increase public awareness about brain cancer, its impact on patients and families, and the need for more research and funding in this field.
- Helping patients: In addition to supporting research, the foundation assists individuals and families affected by brain cancer by providing information, resources, and support.
- Advocating for change: It strives to drive systemic change in how brain cancer is researched and treated, challenging the status quo and encouraging collaboration and innovation within the medical community.
Dr. Charlie Teo AM as the Founder and Director of the Charlie Teo Foundation, has for over 30 years been instrumental in the development, dissemination and acceptance of the concept of keyhole minimally invasive techniques in neurosurgery. Dr Teo ran a fellowship program that attracts over 600 applicants yearly and has trained many of the world’s leading figures in neurosurgery. He has trained at distinguished centres such as the Barrow Neurological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University and Harvard University.
Initially focused on Australia, Dr Teo recognised a pressing need to raise funds for brain cancer research from a young age. To address this, he founded the Charlie Teo Foundation in 2017, which aims to increase awareness and funding for brain cancer research.
Brain cancer significantly impacts society, being the leading cause of years of life lost. Despite its high incidence, particularly among young adults and children, it remains one of the least funded cancers. The foundation operates with low overhead costs and focuses on supporting disruptive researchers who think outside the box.
Since its inception, the foundation has committed nearly $15 million to brain cancer research, funding notable projects in Australia and the United States. These projects explore innovative approaches to understand and treat brain cancer more effectively, with a focus on translating findings from animal studies to human applications. Charlie’s dedication to finding solutions for this devastating disease remains unwavering as he travels frequently to collaborate with global researchers.
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Mental wellbeing in rural and regional communities dealing with environmental challenges
Associate Professor Suzie Cosh is a psychologist and clinical researcher. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate change and mental health and she currently leads a body of work that focuses on supporting small rural communities to recover from and prepare for extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods and droughts.
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Discovery of RANK Ligand’s role in bone metabolism and the immune system to treat osteoporosis
Emeritus Professor Jack Martin’s research began a discovery cascade that led to the identification of a new protein and the development of a novel and effective drug therapy that is now used worldwide to treat osteoporosis, cancer and other diseases.
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Exercise program for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture
Dr Beck is an international leader in the effects of mechanical loading on bone health. Dr Beck graduated from The University of Queensland (BHMS[Ed]) and the University of Oregon (MSc and PhD) and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Stanford University School of Medicine (California, USA.) She is a Professor of Exercise Science at Griffith University Gold Coast campus, where she has led the Bone Densitometry Research Laboratory since 2004.
