NEWCASTLE-based Professor Afaf Girgis has received the prestigious Fairfax Distinguished Researcher Award from the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research for her investigation into the psychological impact of cancer on patients and caregivers. Since 2010, Professor Girgis has published 131 peer reviewed papers on topics including the prevention and early detection of cancer, and development and psychometric testing of measures to assess cancer patients’, caregivers’ and health care professionals’ unmet needs.