Research interests
I am a Professor of Genetics focused on cancer genomics and biomarker translation in endocrine‑related cancers, particularly prostate cancer. My group integrates molecular biology (cell/organotypic models, qPCR/IHC), multi‑omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics), and bioinformatics/statistical genetics to understand therapy resistance and deliver assays that can be used in clinical pathways.
My current research centres on (i) identifying and validating biomarkers of risk, progression and treatment response; (ii) mapping mechanisms of resistance (e.g., AR/ER signalling, cancer stemness programs); and (iii) converting genomic insight into clinically actionable tools. This includes developing biomarker‑anchored assays for patient stratification and exploring links between tumour genomics and real‑world outcomes.
My earlier work spans the Indian Genome Variation Consortium (population‑scale genomics; publications in Science and PNAS; two patents from my doctoral research), through to kallikrein biology, GWAS, and large candidate‑gene studies that advanced prostate cancer genetics. I lead the Queensland node of the PRACTICAL consortium, contributing to international replication and meta‑analysis efforts (outputs in Nature Genetics, AJHG, J Hum Genet, CEBP).
Currently funded projects and recent support include the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship (2020–2025), which underpins our biomarker translation and assay development program across prostate and other hormone‑sensitive cancers. I also recently completed an MTPConnect REDI (industry) fellowship with TissueGnostics (Vienna) to accelerate digital pathology and translational assay pipelines.
I collaborate with clinical partners in urology/oncology, data‑science and multi‑omics teams, and international consortia, including PRACTICAL. Across my program, we emphasise rigorous methods, open science, and consumer engagement, with the goal of moving discoveries from bench to bedside-earlier risk stratification, smarter treatment selection, and improved outcomes for people with endocrine‑related cancers.
Qualifications
- PhD, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Award Date: 1 Jan 2010
Fields of Research
- Medical biotechnology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics and computational biology
Statement for HDR students
I am a Professor of Genetics with over 20 years’ experience in cancer genomics, biomarker discovery, and translational assay development. I welcome HDR students who are motivated to work at the interface of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and translational medicine.
I supervise projects that explore:
- Cancer genomics and biomarker discovery in endocrine-related cancers (prostate, breast, endometrial, ovarian) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), next-generation sequencing, and multi-omics integration.
- Functional genomics of candidate genes, non-coding RNAs, and micropeptides using CRISPR, RNAi, and cellular/animal models to unravel mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy resistance.
- Digital pathology and AI-driven image analysis in collaboration with industry partners to develop quantitative assays for tumour heterogeneity and treatment response.
- Clinical and registry-linked studies, working with large national and international consortia (e.g., PRACTICAL), to translate genetic discoveries into risk prediction and patient-stratification tools.
I encourage students with interests in molecular biology, biostatistics, computational biology, or translational oncology to contact me. Projects in my group are highly collaborative, involving partnerships with clinicians, statisticians, industry, and international research networks, providing HDR candidates with excellent training and diverse career pathways.