Associate Professor Mitchell Stark
Associate Professor

Mitchell Stark

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Phone: 
+61 7 344 38027

Background

Associate Professor Mitchell Stark is a molecular biologist and Group Leader (Principal Research Fellow) from the Dermatology Research Centre (DRC) based at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland (UQ; Brisbane, Australia). He leads the pre-melanoma genomics program at the Frazer Institute and his group has extensive experience in the use of next-generation sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and functional analysis for a variety of applications. The Stark Lab’s major research streams include: miRNA biomarkers for melanoma progression and the development a Genomics Atlas of pre-skin cancer lesions, which aim to provide to greater understand melanoma progression from naevi and early invasive melanoma, with a goal to discover novel predictive biomarkers that offer increased precision to the clinical management of patients.

He has been engaged in melanoma and nevus research for 25+ years (with 9-years post PhD) and over this time he has been working towards understanding the aetiology of melanoma, studying gene dysregulation during tumor progression along with predisposition to melanoma in families with high risk for melanoma development. Dr Stark has a total of 97 career publications including 1 book chapter, 83 journal articles, 12 reviews/perspectives and 1 patent (WO/2016/029260) which have been cited a total of 7,053/10,208 times (Scopus/Google; h-index: 38/42) and has published in respected journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics, Cancer Research, and Journal of Investigative Dermatology. He has been awarded a career total of ~$10M as an Investigator (PI/co-PI/co-Investigator) including a prestigious NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship (2016-2019) and a recent NHMRC Investigator award (2025-2029), along with several research grants as Principal Investigator (e.g., Advance QLD Innovation Partnership, Department of Defence CDMRP – Melanoma Research Program).

Availability

Associate Professor Mitchell Stark is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Genetics

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Applied Science, Queensland University of Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology

Research interests

  • MicroRNA Biomarkers

    Current projects relate to melanoma progression microRNA biomarkers to aid in increased diagnostic precision of “ambiguous” melanocytic lesions as well as “real-time” monitoring of melanoma disease progression using a “liquid biopsy.”

  • Genomics Atlas of pre-skin cancer lesions

    Current projects involve using overlapping genomics datasets (e.g. exome, mRNA and miRNA transcriptome, methylation) as well as Spatial Profiling to greater understand the early hallmarks of pre-skin cancer development.

Search Professor Mitchell Stark’s works on UQ eSpace

122 works between 2001 and 2025
All (122) Journal Article (96) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (24) Book Chapter (1)

41 - 60 of 122 works

2021

Journal Article

The distinctive genomic landscape of giant congenital melanocytic nevi

Stark, Mitchell S., Tell-Martí, Gemma, Martins da Silva, Vanessa, Martinez-Barrios, Estefania, Calbet-Llopart, Neus, Vicente, Asunción, Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter, Puig, Susana, Malvehy, Josep, Carrera, Cristina and Puig-Butillé, Joan A. (2021). The distinctive genomic landscape of giant congenital melanocytic nevi. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 141 (3), 692-695. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.07.022

The distinctive genomic landscape of giant congenital melanocytic nevi

2021

Journal Article

On naevi and melanomas: two sides of the same coin?

Lee, Katie J., Janda, Monika, Stark, Mitchell S, Sturm, Richard A. and Soyer, H. Peter (2021). On naevi and melanomas: two sides of the same coin?. Frontiers in Medicine, 8 635316, 635316. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.635316

On naevi and melanomas: two sides of the same coin?

2021

Journal Article

MicroRNA expression is associated with human papillomavirus status and prognosis in mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Emmett, S.E., Stark, M.S., Pandeya, N., Panizza, B., Whiteman, D.C. and Antonsson, A. (2021). MicroRNA expression is associated with human papillomavirus status and prognosis in mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Oral Oncology, 113 105136, 105136. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105136

MicroRNA expression is associated with human papillomavirus status and prognosis in mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

2020

Journal Article

CDKN2A testing threshold in a high-risk Australian melanoma cohort: number of primaries, family history and young age of onset impact risk

McMeniman, E. K., McInerney-Leo, A. M., Peach, E., Lee, K. J., Yanes, T., Jagirdar, K., Stark, M. S., Soyer, H. P., Duffy, D. L. and Sturm, R. A. (2020). CDKN2A testing threshold in a high-risk Australian melanoma cohort: number of primaries, family history and young age of onset impact risk. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 34 (12) jdv.16627, e797-e798. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16627

CDKN2A testing threshold in a high-risk Australian melanoma cohort: number of primaries, family history and young age of onset impact risk

2020

Journal Article

Mutation signatures in melanocytic nevi reveal characteristics of defective DNA repair

Stark, Mitchell S., Denisova, Evgeniya, Kays, Trent A., Heidenreich, Barbara, Rachakonda, Sivaramakrishna, Requena, Celia, Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter, Nagore, Eduardo and Kumar, Rajiv (2020). Mutation signatures in melanocytic nevi reveal characteristics of defective DNA repair. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140 (10), 2093-2096.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.02.021

Mutation signatures in melanocytic nevi reveal characteristics of defective DNA repair

2020

Journal Article

Germline and somatic albinism variants in amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma: increased carriage of TYR and OCA2 variants

Rayner, Jenna E., Duffy, David L., Smit, Darren J., Jagirdar, Kasturee, Lee, Katie J., De’Ambrosis, Brian, Smithers, B. Mark, McMeniman, Erin K., McInerney-Leo, Aideen M., Schaider, Helmut, Stark, Mitchell S., Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2020). Germline and somatic albinism variants in amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma: increased carriage of TYR and OCA2 variants. PLoS ONE, 15 (9) e0238529, e0238529. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238529

Germline and somatic albinism variants in amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma: increased carriage of TYR and OCA2 variants

2020

Conference Publication

BOP1 expression contributes to the proliferative/invasive phenotype in melanoma

Stark, Mitchell S., Hammerlindl, Sabrina, Tom, Lisa, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Tan, Jean-Marie, Schaider, Helmut, Sturm, Richard A., O'Brien, Blake, Walsh, Michael, Collins, Angus and Soyer, H. Peter (2020). BOP1 expression contributes to the proliferative/invasive phenotype in melanoma. AACR Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 22-24 June 2020. Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2020-5861

BOP1 expression contributes to the proliferative/invasive phenotype in melanoma

2020

Journal Article

Prognostic Gene Expression Profiling in Cutaneous Melanoma : Identifying the Knowledge Gaps and Assessing the Clinical Benefit

Grossman, Douglas, Okwundu, Nwanneka, Bartlett, Edmund K., Marchetti, Michael A., Othus, Megan, Coit, Daniel G., Hartman, Rebecca I., Leachman, Sancy A., Berry, Elizabeth G., Korde, Larissa, Lee, Sandra J., Bar-Eli, Menashe, Berwick, Marianne, Bowles, Tawnya, Buchbinder, Elizabeth I., Burton, Elizabeth M., Chu, Emily Y., Curiel-Lewandrowski, Clara, Curtis, Julia A., Daud, Adil, Deacon, Dekker C., Ferris, Laura K., Gershenwald, Jeffrey E., Grossmann, Kenneth F., Hu-Lieskovan, Siwen, Hyngstrom, John, Jeter, Joanne M., Judson-Torres, Robert L., Kendra, Kari L. ... Swetter, Susan M. (2020). Prognostic Gene Expression Profiling in Cutaneous Melanoma : Identifying the Knowledge Gaps and Assessing the Clinical Benefit. JAMA Dermatology, 156 (9), e1-e8. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1729

Prognostic Gene Expression Profiling in Cutaneous Melanoma : Identifying the Knowledge Gaps and Assessing the Clinical Benefit

2020

Journal Article

Regional Variation in Epidermal Susceptibility to UV-Induced Carcinogenesis Reflects Proliferative Activity of Epidermal Progenitors

Roy, Edwige, Wong, Ho Yi, Villani, Rehan, Rouille, Thomas, Salik, Basit, Sim, Seen Ling, Murigneux, Valentine, Stark, Mitchell S., Fink, J. Lynn, Soyer, H. Peter, Walker, Graeme, Lyons, J. Guy, Saunders, Nicholas and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2020). Regional Variation in Epidermal Susceptibility to UV-Induced Carcinogenesis Reflects Proliferative Activity of Epidermal Progenitors. Cell Reports, 31 (9) 107702, 107702. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107702

Regional Variation in Epidermal Susceptibility to UV-Induced Carcinogenesis Reflects Proliferative Activity of Epidermal Progenitors

2020

Conference Publication

Identification of a novel microrna panel: potential biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer

Kan, C., Crovetto, N., Landreneau, R., Li, L., Soyer, H., Stark, M. S. and Gunn, S. (2020). Identification of a novel microrna panel: potential biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer. Southern Regional Meeting of the American-Federation-for-Medical-Research (AFMR), New Orleans, LA, United States, 13-15 February 2020. London, United Kingdom: B M J Group. doi: 10.1136/jim-2020-SRM.565

Identification of a novel microrna panel: potential biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer

2019

Journal Article

Multiple interaction nodes define the post-replication repair response to UV-induced DNA damage that is defective in melanomas and correlated with UV signature mutation load

Pavey, Sandra, Pinder, Alex, Fernando, Winnie, D'Arcy, Nicholas, Matigian, Nicholas, Skalamera, Dubravka, Lê Cao, Kim-Anh, Loo-Oey, Dorothy, Hill, Michelle M., Stark, Mitchell, Kimlin, Michael, Burgess, Andrew, Cloonan, Nicole, Sturm, Richard A. and Gabrielli, Brian (2019). Multiple interaction nodes define the post-replication repair response to UV-induced DNA damage that is defective in melanomas and correlated with UV signature mutation load. Molecular Oncology, 14 (1) 1878-0261.12601, 22-41. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12601

Multiple interaction nodes define the post-replication repair response to UV-induced DNA damage that is defective in melanomas and correlated with UV signature mutation load

2019

Journal Article

Naevus count and MC1R R alleles contribute to melanoma risk

Duffy, D. L., Lee, K. J., Jagirdar, K., Pflugfelder, A., Stark, M. S., McMeniman, E. K., Soyer, H. P. and Sturm, R. A. (2019). Naevus count and MC1R R alleles contribute to melanoma risk. British Journal of Dermatology, 181 (5), e119-e119. doi: 10.1111/bjd.18487

Naevus count and MC1R R alleles contribute to melanoma risk

2019

Journal Article

A panel of circulating microRNAs detects uveal melanoma with high precision

Stark, Mitchell S., Gray, Elin S., Isaacs, Timothy, Chen, Fred K., Millward, Michael, McEvoy, Ashleigh, Zaenker, Pauline, Ziman, Melanie, Soyer, H. Peter, Glasson, William J., Warrier, Sunil K., Stark, Andrew L., Rolfe, Olivia J., Palmer, Jane M. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2019). A panel of circulating microRNAs detects uveal melanoma with high precision. Translational Vision Science and Technology, 8 (6) 12, 12-12. doi: 10.1167/tvst.8.6.12

A panel of circulating microRNAs detects uveal melanoma with high precision

2019

Journal Article

Large-giant congenital melanocytic nevi: moving beyond NRAS mutations

Stark, Mitchell S. (2019). Large-giant congenital melanocytic nevi: moving beyond NRAS mutations. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139 (4), 756-759. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.10.003

Large-giant congenital melanocytic nevi: moving beyond NRAS mutations

2019

Journal Article

High naevus count and MC1R red hair alleles contribute synergistically to increased melanoma risk

Duffy, D. L., Lee, K. J., Jagirdar, K., Pflugfelder, A., Stark, M. S., McMeniman, E. K., Soyer, H. P. and Sturm, R. A. (2019). High naevus count and MC1R red hair alleles contribute synergistically to increased melanoma risk. British Journal of Dermatology, 181 (5) bjd.17833, 1009-1016. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17833

High naevus count and MC1R red hair alleles contribute synergistically to increased melanoma risk

2018

Journal Article

Defining the molecular genetics of dermoscopic naevus patterns

Tan, Jean-Marie, Tom, Lisa N., Soyer, H. Peter and Stark, Mitchell S. (2018). Defining the molecular genetics of dermoscopic naevus patterns. Dermatology , 235 (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1159/000493892

Defining the molecular genetics of dermoscopic naevus patterns

2018

Journal Article

Somatic inactivating PTPRJ mutations and dysregulated pathways identified in canine malignant melanoma by integrated comparative genomic analysis

Hendricks, William P D, Zismann, Victoria, Sivaprakasam, Karthigayini, Legendre, Christophe, Poorman, Kelsey, Tembe, Waibhav, Perdigones, Nieves, Kiefer, Jeffrey, Liang, Winnie, DeLuca, Valerie, Stark, Mitchell, Ruhe, Alison, Froman, Roe, Duesbery, Nicholas S, Washington, Megan, Aldrich, Jessica, Neff, Mark W, Huentelman, Matthew J, Hayward, Nicholas, Brown, Kevin, Thamm, Douglas, Post, Gerald, Khanna, Chand, Davis, Barbara, Breen, Matthew, Sekulic, Alexander and Trent, Jeffrey M (2018). Somatic inactivating PTPRJ mutations and dysregulated pathways identified in canine malignant melanoma by integrated comparative genomic analysis. PLoS Genetics, 14 (9) e1007589, e1007589. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007589

Somatic inactivating PTPRJ mutations and dysregulated pathways identified in canine malignant melanoma by integrated comparative genomic analysis

2018

Journal Article

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms (vol 138, pg 1636, 2018)

Stark, Mitchell S., Tan, Jean-Marie, Tom, Lisa, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Lambie, Duncan, Schaider, Helmut, Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2018). Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms (vol 138, pg 1636, 2018). Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 138 (9), 2085-2085. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.06.174

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms (vol 138, pg 1636, 2018)

2018

Journal Article

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms

Stark, Mitchell S., Tan, Jean-Marie, Tom, Lisa, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Lambie, Duncan, Schaider, Helmut, Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2018). Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 138 (7), 1636-1644. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.02.012

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms

2018

Journal Article

The BRAF and NRAS mutation prevalence in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi reveals constitutive MAPK pathway activation

Tan, J. M., Tom, L. N., Jagirdar, K., Lambie, D., Schaider, H., Sturm, R. A., Soyer, H. P. and Stark, M. S. (2018). The BRAF and NRAS mutation prevalence in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi reveals constitutive MAPK pathway activation. British Journal of Dermatology, 178 (1), 191-197. doi: 10.1111/bjd.15809

The BRAF and NRAS mutation prevalence in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi reveals constitutive MAPK pathway activation

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Predicting Early-Stage Melanoma at High Risk of Recurrence through Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Melanoma Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    Terahertz virtual skin biopsy: Quantum cascade laser imaging of early melanoma
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2029
    Exploration of the skin molecular ecosystem and early melanoma development
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Terahertz Quantum Technology for Melanoma Detection and Progression
    Critical Technologies Challenge Program: Feasibility
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    PREDICT: PREcision DIagnostiCs for early melanoma detection using spaTial biology and AI-guided image analysis
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Melanoma Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Laser capture microdissection to empower cancer discoveries, improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes in amyloidosis patients
    IPF Healthy - Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Whole exome and transcriptome profiling of patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma exposed to immunotherapy: C-Seq STUDY (Research Support Scheme Project Grant led by Metro South HHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Advanced technological approach to predicting survival in patients diagnosed with locally invasive cutaneous melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Improving outcomes for patients with melanoma brain metastases using novel personalised and response-adapted treatment strategies (PARF Translation Research Innovation Award administered by MSHHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Assessment of precision melanoma diagnostics
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    MicroRNA expression profiling of SCCs and precursor lesions: The identification of a distinct microRNA expression signature from actinic keratosis, intraepidermal carcinoma, and invasive squamous...
    Australasian College of Dermatologists Scientific Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Identification of the molecular hallmarks of naevi progressing to melanoma
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Mitchell Stark is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Novel genomic predictors of survival in thin and thick melanomas

    Australian domestic student applicants only.

    The Stark Lab is seeking talented and highly motivated PhD student(s) to join their team at The Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Frazer Institute.

    Project summary: Early-stage melanoma at high risk of recurrence explains the majority of melanoma deaths. The incidence of cutaneous melanoma (CM) has increased rapidly over the past few decades. Although the large majority (>80%) of melanomas are diagnosed and surgically treated at an early stage when limited to the skin, an estimated 13.4% of patients will experience recurrence within 2 years and ultimately represent the majority of deaths from melanoma. Recent progress in adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy of cutaneous melanoma brings new hope that patients at high risk of recurrence can be effectively treated prophylactically to avoid the further spread of the disease and mortality. Thus, the most viable strategy for improving melanoma survival is to identify the few patients at high risk of recurrence amongst the many patients who will survive long-term after their melanoma is excised. This proposal will provide, for the first time, the means to identify high-risk patients among those with early-stage disease. This has the potential to improve melanoma survival rates by identifying patients who will most benefit from earlier intervention to adjuvant immunotherapy.

    The candiadte will have access a collection of thin and thick melanoma tissues with matching clinical information, and will involve genomic analysis of panel sequencing data to validate existing biomarkers.

    If you are interested to hear more about the projects, please send your current CV, Academic Transcript, and Cover Letter to m.stark@uq.edu.au

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Mitchell Stark directly for media enquiries about:

  • Cancer Biomarker
  • Early melanoma detection
  • Genomics
  • Melanoma
  • microRNA
  • Naevi

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