One of Australia’s most distinguished cancer biologists, Professor Suzanne Cory, was awarded the Curtin Medal for 2008. The award recognises Professor Cory’s research on the molecular genetics of cancer and her lifelong contribution to research in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology. Her research produced groundbreaking ideas on the contribution of gene rearrangements to cancer development. More recently, Professor Cory and her colleagues have shown that the development of many tumours can result from preventing cell death.