Lucy Webster, who was awarded the highest academic honour - the University Medal - at her graduation this year, will investigate new methods for predicting the aggressiveness of early breast cancers with the Estee Lauder Group of Companies scholarship.

The National Breast Cancer scholarship program is designed to encourage new researchers to study the field of breast cancer.

Ms Webster graduated with First Class Honours in CSU’s Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) degree at the Wagga Wagga Campus. She is now working as a researcher at the Westmead Millennium Institute for Cancer Research in Sydney. 

CSU Lecturer in Haematology and Cytogenetics Helen Moriarty described Ms Webster as an exceptional student, evidenced by her numerous awards and prizes, including the University Medal, Dean’s Awards for Academic Excellence and many Australian Institute of Medical Science prizes.

“Her success reflects not only her intellectual capability but also her diligence, dedication, enthusiasm for the medical sciences and hard work, peppered generously with common sense,” Ms Moriarty said.

Ms Webster’s Honours project on organophosphate-based pesticides and bladder cancer resulted in national media attention and publication in two international journals.

Ms Moriarty added that she had no doubt Lucy would continue to make major contributions to medical science.

“We still don’t know what the causes of breast cancer are and we must continue to research these and investigate avenues for improving treatment for women who develop the disease,” Ms Webster said.