The University of Newcastle welcomes more than $800,000 in funding for four cancer research projects.

The money - announced by the NSW Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), Minister for the Hunter, and Minister for Science and Medical Research Jodi McKay - will support research into childhood obesity, smoking, melanoma and cancer radiotherapy.

Researchers funded are:

• Luke Wolfenden - Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Development Fellowship ($586,101). Mr Wolfenden is a Conjoint Lecturer and Research Fellow with the University and works with Hunter New England Health on the Good for Kids Good for Life project, promoting healthy eating and physical activity for children aged up to 15 years. Project: Supporting parents to increase children's consumption of fruits and vegetables: a randomised controlled trial of a telephone based intervention.
• Jamie Bryant - Cancer Institute NSW Research Scholar Award ($55,305). Ms Bryant is a PhD student with the University. Project: Tackling tobacco: An exploration of methods to reduce smoking in socially disadvantaged populations.
• Christopher Lavis - Cancer Institute NSW Research Scholar Award ($50,000). Mr Lavis is a PhD student with the University and is employed by the Calvary Mater Newcastle. Project: Drug resistance in melanoma cells.
• Ben Britton - Cancer Institute NSW Psycho-oncology Fellow ($110,000). Mr Britton is employed by the Calvary Mater Newcastle. His research project is led by the University's Conjoint Associate Professor Gregory Carter. Project: Improving malnutrition in head and neck cancer radiotherapy patients: a phase II trial of psychological intervention.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Barney Glover, said the funding reaffirmed the University's position as a leading health and medical research institution.

"These fellowships and awards recognise the University's strength as a significant research organisation focusing on major systemic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases," he said.

Health and medical research at the University is conducted in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). HMRI is a partnership between the University, Hunter New England Health and the community.