Dr Watkins is a physician-scientist with specific interests in lung and pediatric cancer. His basic research focuses on tumour biology, epigenetics, developmental biology and the genetic basis of resistance to chemotherapy. In translational research, he is recognised for his work on new therapies for lung cancer, and for the treatment of aggressive childhood brain tumours. He currently holds the position of the Petre Foundation Chair in Cancer Biology at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and is an Honorary Consultant Physician at the St Vincent's Hospital Department of Thoracic Medicine in Sydney.