Anna Li’s MASCC Journey: Advancing Supportive Care for Transplant Patients

As a final‑year PhD student, Anna Li is helping to share the future of supportive care for stem cell transplant patients. Her work on the HSCT BIOME clinical trial, the first study in Australia to investigate Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as a supportive intervention for patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation, focuses on improving gut health during a critical stage of treatment.

Patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) often experience significant complications including mucositis, gastrointestinal toxicity and infection. Through the HSCT BIOME trial, Anna and her colleagues are exploring whether FMT capsules can help protect gut integrity and support recovery in immunocompromised blood cancer patients.

In June 2026, Anna was awarded an Arrow Travel Scholarship funded by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, to attend the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Annual Meeting in Melbourne, where she presented interim findings from the trial to an international audience of clinicians, researchers and supportive care specialists.

The MASCC Annual Meeting is one of the world’s leading forums dedicated to improving supportive care for people affected by cancer. Bringing together experts from across disciplines, the conference provides a unique opportunity to share new research, exchange ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

For Anna, the connection between her research and Arrow’s mission was clear.

“I believed that the Arrow Foundation’s mission aligned with our goals to improve the lives of stem cell transplant recipients…”

The scholarship came at a pivotal time in Anna’s research journey. Years spent working closely with transplant patients had shown her the harsh reality of gastrointestinal side effects. Witnessing these challenges strengthened her determination to advocate for better supportive care and more patient‑centred approaches.

The opportunity to share her findings on an international stage wasn’t just a professional milestone for Anna, it was a moment of validation, growth and renewed commitment to improving life after transplant.

At the MASCC 2026 Annual Meeting, Anna found herself surrounded by a global community of experts who shared her passion for improving life after transplant. Across sessions on nutrition, graft‑versus‑host disease, infection and microbiome science, she felt a sense of connection, a reminder that her work sits within a much larger, international effort to support patients through some of the toughest stages of treatment.

One moment in particular stayed with her. During a session on emerging therapies, she learned about new approaches using faecal microbiota transplantation in allogeneic transplants. The research resonated deeply with her own work, and she found herself drawn to the insights of Dr Andrea Henden, whose investigations she described as “especially interesting.”

But MASCC offered more than scientific exchange. What truly shaped Anna’s experience was the conference’s strong focus on patient advocacy and research co‑design. Listening to patients, understanding their priorities, and designing studies that reflect their lived realities, these themes echoed throughout the week. Anna was struck by how even the most advanced, targeted therapies still create systemic side effects that follow patients long after treatment ends. It reinforced her belief that supportive care must evolve alongside scientific innovation.

As the week at MASCC unfolded, Anna found herself building connections that stretched far beyond the conference rooms. The networking events became spaces where she could exchange ideas, support fellow researchers, and discover new collaborations. Those conversations soon turned into opportunities, and by the end of the conference Anna had joined several working groups, including one focused on updating international mucositis guidelines.

“This conference allowed in‑person meetings with working groups that I have now joined…”

These interactions didn’t just expand her professional network – they reshaped how she thinks about patient care. Talks exploring healthcare barriers for sexual and gender minorities, and sessions on the “response shift” in how patients perceive symptoms over time, offered new perspectives she plans to carry into her future clinical work.

Stepping onto the stage for her first oral proffered presentation was another defining moment. Sharing her research with an international audience boosted her confidence and affirmed her place within the global transplant research community.

“I feel like I have improved substantially in being able to convey my research…”

For Anna, the Arrow Foundation Travel Scholarship made all of this possible. The financial support eased the burden of international travel and allowed her to fully immerse herself in the experience.

 “Thank you so much, I’m so happy to have had this opportunity to be associated with the Arrow Foundation and their donors”

Anna’s experience at MASCC reflects exactly what the Arrow Travel Scholarship aims to achieve – empowering emerging leaders to bring new knowledge, compassion and innovation back to the transplant community. Her contribution to the HSCT‑BIOME clinical trial, and her commitment to improving supportive care for transplant patients, demonstrates the profound impact that professional development opportunities can have on patient outcomes.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Jazz Pharmaceuticals for their ongoing commitment to transplant healthcare professionals and the advancement of care.