Dr Francesco Bettariga is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Exercise Oncology at the INSIGHT Research Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI) at Edith Cowan University (ECU), and an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Molise (Italy). His research focuses on understanding the biological and clinical mechanisms through which exercise influences cancer progression and survivorship outcomes. His work integrates clinical exercise trials with translational approaches to examine how exercise may modulate tumour biology, the tumour microenvironment, and anti-tumour immune responses. A central focus of his research is the development of precise exercise prescription for people living with cancer. By combining mechanistic insights with clinical trials, his work aims to optimise exercise prescription as a therapeutic strategy to improve treatment tolerance, physical function, disease progression, and survival outcomes in people living with cancer.

Dr Bettariga has secured >$401,900 AUD in competitive research funding as a Chief Investigator, including >$109,500 AUD as Chief Investigator-A, across national and international grants focused on exercise oncology and cancer progression. This includes support from organisations such as the Cancer Council Western Australia, the Movember Foundation, the World Cancer Research Fund, and national funding bodies in Europe. He is currently appointed as Chief Investigator A (CI-A) on two clinical trials investigating the cancer-suppressive effects of exercise in people living with cancer. He also contributes as a Co-Investigator on several national and international grants examining the impact of exercise on disease progression and survival outcomes.

Dr Bettariga has authored and co-authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals in exercise oncology and exercise science, an output achieved within a short period following the completion of his PhD (>580 citations, H-index 12, FWCI 4.73). He has published as first author in several top-ranked journals, including the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Sport and Health Science, Sports Medicine, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, which are currently ranked among the top three journals globally in the Exercise and Rehabilitation category. He has also published as first author in leading oncology journals such as the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, and Journal of Cancer Survivorship. His PhD thesis comprised an extensive body of original research with 12 first-author publications, representing a record number of first-author studies within the doctoral program. He is currently Associate Editor for the Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, a member of the Early Career Committee of the International Society of Exercise Oncology (ISEO), and a Scientific Committee Member for the 2027 ESLO Summit. He also holds roles across international organisations in exercise oncology, including as a Mentor within the Global Mentorship Program of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and a Committee Member of the Cancer Special Interest Group within the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In addition, he serves as a grant reviewer for both the UTS Seed Funding Scheme and the Dutch Cancer Society.

Dr Bettariga is actively involved in international scientific dissemination and delivers lectures at undergraduate and postgraduate level at university. He regularly delivers national and international workshops, professional training programs, and invited lectures on exercise oncology across academic, clinical, and professional settings, with over 30 invited presentations delivered to date. These include educational programs organised

by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the European School of Lifestyle Oncology (ESLO), TrustMe-Ed, and the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) as well as workshops delivered within hospitals, private clinics, and professional development courses aimed at improving the implementation of exercise medicine for people living with cancer. He has presented his research at more than 10 international conferences as an invited and keynote speaker and has delivered Lectio Magistralis at international universities on the role of exercise medicine in cancer care. He also contributes to university teaching through undergraduate and postgraduate lectures and training activities. He is actively involved in national and international supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students, including PhD candidates, supporting the development of research skills in clinical trials, translational research, and exercise prescription in oncology populations.

Dr Bettariga’s work has been recognised through multiple prestigious national and international academic awards, including the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Medal, PhD Academy Award, and recognition as the best postgraduate and doctoral student (Vice Chancellor Top 100 Student, Edith Cowan University).

Dr Bettariga’s work has achieved substantial global visibility and translational reach. His research has generated over 500 media mentions worldwide, including coverage in outlets such as The Washington Post, Daily Mail, Fox News, The West Australian, and ABC Perth. He has also been interviewed by 9News, where his research was featured on national television. This coverage has contributed to an estimated audience reach exceeding 2.3 billion and an earned media value greater than USD $22 million (ECU media analytics).

In addition to research dissemination, Dr Bettariga’s impact extends to clinical and community settings through professional education, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation activities. He has established and led a Breast Cancer Consumer Advisory Group, bringing together patients, caregivers, and nursing professionals to directly incorporate lived experience and clinical perspectives into research and knowledge translation activities. He also contributes to the development and delivery of exercise medicine services, supporting the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based exercise interventions for patients and healthcare professionals. By working with healthcare professionals, patient groups, and professional organisations, he contributes to improving the implementation of exercise medicine in real-world cancer care, with the potential to reduce healthcare burden and improve patient outcomes.