Our Team

Dr Prasad Cooray is committed to the pursuit of excellence in patient-centred medical care.

Prasad is a general oncologist with sub-speciality interest in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer (colon, rectum, oesophagus, stomach); hepato-biliary cancer (pancreas, liver, gall bladder, bile duct); genitourinary cancer (prostate, kidney, bladder); and lung cancer.

Prasad graduated from Monash University (MBBS Hons) in 1996, having spent an additional undergraduate year in laboratory-based research leading to a Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) degree, undergraduate research award and a number of publications on platelet functioning and cell signalling. He completed speciality training at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Austin and Alfred Hospitals.

Patients under Prasad’s care benefit from his extensive network of medical specialists as well as his commitment to coordinating care across multiple specialities. Prasad is actively involved in cancer clinical trials as a co-investigator at Eastern Health. He participates in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings that make treatment decisions on the management of complex cancer cases.

For Prasad, oncology offers a very privileged opportunity: to treat, educate and empower his patients. He established Yarra Oncology in 2014, a dedicated cancer practice that amplifies Prasad’s capacity to advocate for cancer patients and deliver best practice cancer care.

Dr Laura Pellegrini is a medical oncologist who specialises in the management of breast cancer. She is a graduate of Monash University and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2007. Dr Pellegrini completed specialty training in Medical Oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Box Hill Hospital, Bendigo Hospital and Monash Medical Centre. She was also a clinical research fellow at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

In addition to working at Yarra Oncology, Dr Pellegrini holds a public hospital appointment at Eastern Health. She has an active interest in clinical research relating to breast cancer and is an investigator on numerous clinical trials.

Dr Pellegrini is a member of Breast Cancer Trials Australia, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Medical Oncology Group of Australia.

Outside of medicine, Dr Pellegrini is a classical pianist, avid theatre goer and an accomplished home cook.

Dr Sid Menon is a medical oncologist with special interests in neuro-oncology, gastro-intestinal and thoracic cancer, and early phase clinical trials. He became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2018, completing advanced training in medical oncology at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Monash Health, including a clinical research fellow year at Monash Medical Centre with active involvement in gastro-intestinal and phase 1 trials.

Sid worked as a consultant in neuro-oncology and GI cancers at Monash until December 2020 and is currently pursuing a laboratory-based PhD at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, investigating novel therapies in brain and other aggressive cancers.

An asset to Yarra Oncology because of his diverse skill set, Sid also completed a Master of Public Health and Health Promotion through Deakin University in 2010. Sid takes a patient-centric and evidence-based approach to his work, and views honest and empathetic communication as an essential component of cancer care.

Dr Danielle Ferraro is a medical oncologist with a particular interest in the management of breast and gastrointestinal cancers. She graduated from Monash University in 2000 and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2011. She completed advanced training in Medical Oncology at St Vincent’s Hospital, Eastern Health and the Austin Hospital. She has also worked a research fellow at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney, and is currently undertaking a PhD focusing on colorectal cancer through the University of Melbourne.
Dr Ferraro holds a public hospital appointment at Eastern Health, and undertakes regular clinics at Maroondah Hospital and Yarra Ranges health, as well as inpatient care at Maroondah Hospital. She is involved in clinical trials through Eastern Health and actively encourages patient participation in clinical research.
She is a member of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal cancer Trials Group.

Dr. Anthony Uccellini joins Yarra Oncology as a distinguished Medical Oncologist with a focus on genito-urinary cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, and neuro-oncology. Graduating from Deakin University Medical School in 2013, Dr. Uccellini became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians in 2023.

Bringing a wealth of experience to Yarra Oncology, Dr. Uccellini spent four transformative years as a clinical research fellow at the cancer clinical trials unit in the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre. His commitment to advancing medical knowledge aligns seamlessly with Yarra Oncology’s mission of integrated and patient-centric cancer care.

Dr. Uccellini’s proficiency in clinical trials is underscored by his ongoing roles at the esteemed Walter Eliza Hall Institute and the ANZUP organization. This aligns with Yarra Oncology’s dedication to participating in clinical trials for the betterment of patient outcomes and the advancement of cancer treatment.

A defining aspect of Dr. Uccellini’s approach is his emphasis on patient empowerment through education and understanding. This resonates profoundly with Yarra Oncology’s mission, which champions the patient as the owner of their health. His commitment to empowering patients aligns seamlessly with Yarra Oncology’s vision of creating a framework that prioritises trust, communication, and individualised care.

As Yarra Oncology continues its mission to redefine cancer care, Dr. Anthony Uccellini’s expertise and dedication to patient empowerment through education will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing success in providing holistic, evidence-based, and patient-centred oncological care.

Dr. Mei Sim Lung is a medical oncologist with sub-specialty interests in upper gastrointestinal cancers and cancer genetics. She is a graduate of The University of Melbourne and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2012, completing advanced training in Medical Oncology at Eastern Health, Austin Health, Alfred Health and Northern Health.

Mei Sim completed a laboratory-based PhD in bowel cancer genetics at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She worked as a consultant at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre until January 2020, in the Upper Gastro-Intestinal and Neuroendocrine Tumour service and in Early Drug Development (Phase 1) Clinical Trials.

She is a member of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the European Society of Medical Oncology.

Lauren is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Lauren is enthusiastic about further education and improving her skills having recently gained her Cancer Exercise Trainer qualification with the American College of Sports Medicine.

Lauren has demonstrated a relentless commitment to ensuring she implements a best practice exercise prescription, intending to improve the lives of Australian men and women with cancer and other chronic conditions. She has worked in private practice for a wide range of conditions and has previous experience working in both public and private hospitals.

Lauren is a rising star in the field of exercise oncology with invited speaker presentations in 2019 at the Leukaemia Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre on the benefits of exercise for those with a cancer diagnosis. Lauren is an outstanding Exercise Physiologist who joins the Yarra Oncology team on site, to ensure her evidence-based, client-centred exercise medicine is available for Yarra Oncology patients as a central component of their cancer care in line with national guidelines.