Robert Sutherland was internationally recognised for his research into the prevention and treatment of cancer. He pioneered the application of molecular and cellular biology approaches in translating research discoveries into treatment regimes, and made significant contributions to understanding the pathophysiology and molecular basis of a range of cancers. This knowledge was applied to discovery, validation and development of new biomarkers of disease phenotype, prognosis and response to therapy. Sutherland was Director of the Cancer Research Program at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research for over 20 years. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre where treatments are based on the latest biomarker-assisted diagnostics and individually tailored treatments. Sutherland was also a key member of the Pancreatic Cancer Group, from which emerged the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative. He was on the editorial boards of the Journal for Steroid Biochemical and Molecular Biology, Endocrine Carcinogenesis and other journals. His published output was over 300 papers.