Associate Professor Mitchell Stark
Associate Professor

Mitchell Stark

Email: 
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

113 works between 2001 and 2025
All (113) Journal Article (95) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (16) Other Outputs (1)

81 - 100 of 113 works

2010

Journal Article

Association of MC1R variants and host phenotypes with melanoma risk in CDKN2A mutation carriers: A GenoMEL study

Demenais, F., Mohamdi, H., Chaudru, V., Goldstein, A. M., Newton Bishop, J. A., Bishop, D. T., Kanetsky, P. A., Hayward, N. K., Gillanders, E., Elder, D. E., Avril, M. F., Azizi, E., van Belle, P., Bergman, W., Bianchi-Scarra, G., Brassac-de Paillerets, B., Calista, D., Carrera, C., Hansson, J., Harland, M., Hogg, D., Hoiom, V., Holland, E. A., Ingvar, C., Landi, M. T., Lang, J. M., Mackie, R. M., Mann, G. J., Ming, M. E. ... Melanoma Genetics Consortium (2010). Association of MC1R variants and host phenotypes with melanoma risk in CDKN2A mutation carriers: A GenoMEL study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 102 (20), 1568-1583. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djq363

Association of MC1R variants and host phenotypes with melanoma risk in CDKN2A mutation carriers: A GenoMEL study

2010

Journal Article

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with reduced risk for esophageal cancer is independent of environmental and genetic modifiers

Whiteman, D.C., Parmar, P., Fahey, P., Moore, S.P., Stark, M., Zhao, Z.Z., Montgomery, G.W., Green, A.C., Hayward, N.K., Webb, P.M., Australian Cancer Study and Aoude, Lauren (2010). Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with reduced risk for esophageal cancer is independent of environmental and genetic modifiers. Gastroenterology, 139 (1), 73-83. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.04.009

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with reduced risk for esophageal cancer is independent of environmental and genetic modifiers

2010

Journal Article

Transcriptional pathway signatures predict MEK addiction and response to selumetinib (AZD6244)

Dry, Jonathan R., Pavey, Sandra, Pratilas, Christine A., Harbron, Chris, Runswick, Sarah, Hodgson, Darren, Chresta, Christine, McCormack, Rose, Byrne, Natalie, Cockerill, Mark, Graham, Alexander, Beran, Garry, Cassidy, Andrew, Haggerty, Carolyn, Brown, Helen, Ellison, Gillian, Dering, Judy, Taylor, Barry S., Stark, Mitchell, Bonazzi, Vanessa, Ravishankar, Sugandha, Packer, Leisl, Xing, Feng, Solit, David B., Finn, Richard S., Rosen, Neal, Hayward, Nicholas K., French, Tim and Smith, Paul D. (2010). Transcriptional pathway signatures predict MEK addiction and response to selumetinib (AZD6244). Cancer Research, 70 (6), 2264-2273. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-1577

Transcriptional pathway signatures predict MEK addiction and response to selumetinib (AZD6244)

2010

Journal Article

Characterization of the melanoma miRNAome by deep sequencing

Stark, Mitchell S., Tyagi, Sonika, Nancarrow, Derek J., Boyle, Glen M., Cook, Anthony L., Whiteman, David C., Parsons, Peter G., Schmidt, Christopher, Sturm, Richard A. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2010). Characterization of the melanoma miRNAome by deep sequencing. PLoS One, 5 (3) e9685, e9685-1-e9685-9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009685

Characterization of the melanoma miRNAome by deep sequencing

2008

Journal Article

Identification of ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RBI mutations in melanoma by inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

Bloethner, Sandra, Mould, Arne, Stark, Mitchell and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2008). Identification of ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RBI mutations in melanoma by inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, 47 (12), 1076-1085. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20598

Identification of ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RBI mutations in melanoma by inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

2008

Journal Article

Common sequence variants on 20q11.22 confer melanoma susceptibility

Brown, K. M., MacGregor, S., Montgomery, G. W., Craig, D. W., Zhao, Z. Z., Iyadurai, K., Henders, A. K., Homer, N., Campbell, M. J., Stark, M., Thomas, S., Schmid, H., Maskiell, J. A., Jetann, J., Ferguson, M., Stephan, D. A., Cust, A. E., Whiteman, D. C., Green, A., Olsson, H., Puig, S., Ghiorzo, P., Hansson, J., Demenais, F., Goldstein, A. M., Gruis, N. A., Elder, D. E., Newton Bishop, J., Kefford, R. F. ... Hayward, N. (2008). Common sequence variants on 20q11.22 confer melanoma susceptibility. Nature Genetics, 40 (7), 838-840. doi: 10.1038/ng.163

Common sequence variants on 20q11.22 confer melanoma susceptibility

2008

Journal Article

Polymorphisms in MGMT and DNA repair genes and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Doecke, James, Zhao, Zhen Zhen, Pandeya, Nirmala, Sadeghi, Shahram, Stark, Mitchell, Green, Adele C., Hayward, Nicholas K., Webb, Penlope M. and Whiteman, David C. (2008). Polymorphisms in MGMT and DNA repair genes and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. International Journal of Cancer, 123 (1), 174-180. doi: 10.1002/ijc.23410

Polymorphisms in MGMT and DNA repair genes and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma

2008

Journal Article

A comparison of CDKN2A mutation detection within the Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL)

Harland, Mark, Goldstein, Alisa M., Kukalizch, Kairen, Taylor, Claire, Hogg, David, Puig, Susana, Badenas, Celia, Gruis, Nelleke, ter Huurne, Jeanet, Bergman, Wilma, Hayward, Nicholas K., Stark, Mitchell, Tsao, Hensin, Tucker, Margret A., Landi, Maria Teresa, Scarra, Giovanna B., Ghiorzo, Paola, Kanetsky, Peter A., Elder, David, Mann, Graham J., Holland, Elizabeth A., Bishop, D. Timothy and Newton Bishop, Julia (2008). A comparison of CDKN2A mutation detection within the Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL). European Journal of Cancer, 44 (9), 1269-1274. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.03.005

A comparison of CDKN2A mutation detection within the Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL)

2008

Journal Article

A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour

Sturm, Richard A., Duffy, David L., Zhao, Zhen Zhen, Leite, Fabio P.N., Stark, Mitchell S., Hayward, Nicholas K., Martin, Nicholas G. and Montgomery, Grant W. (2008). A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 82 (2), 424-431. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2007.11.005

A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour

2008

Journal Article

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in obesity-related genes and the risk of esophageal cancers

Doecke, J D, Zhao, Z Z, Stark, M S, Green, A C, Hayward, N K, Montgomery, G W, Webb, P M and Whiteman, D C (2008). Single nucleotide polymorphisms in obesity-related genes and the risk of esophageal cancers. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 17 (4), 1007-1012. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0023

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in obesity-related genes and the risk of esophageal cancers

2007

Journal Article

SiDCoN: A tool to aide scoring of DNA copy number changes in SNP chip data

Nancarrow, Derek J., Handoko, Herlina Y., Stark, Mitchell S., Whiteman, David C. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2007). SiDCoN: A tool to aide scoring of DNA copy number changes in SNP chip data. PLoS One, 2 (10) e1093, e1093. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001093

SiDCoN: A tool to aide scoring of DNA copy number changes in SNP chip data

2007

Journal Article

Gene expression profiling in melanoma identifies novel downstream effectors of p14ARF

Packer, Leisl M., Pavey, Sandra J., Boyle, Glen M., Stark, Mitchell S., Ayub, Ana L., Rizos, Helen and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2007). Gene expression profiling in melanoma identifies novel downstream effectors of p14ARF. International Journal of Cancer, 121 (4), 784-790. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22725

Gene expression profiling in melanoma identifies novel downstream effectors of p14ARF

2007

Journal Article

Molecular characterization of a t(9;12)(p21;q13) balanced chromosome translocation in combination with integrative genomics analysis identifies C9orf14 as a candidate tumor-suppressor

Pujana, M. A., Ruiz, A., Badenas, C., Puig-Butille, J-A., Nadal, M., Stark, M., Gomez, L., Valls, J., Sole, X., Hernandez, P., Cerrato, C., Madrigal, I., de Cid, R., Aguilar, H., Capella, G., Cal, S., James, M. R., Walker, G. J., Malvehy, J., Mila, M., Hayward, N. K., Estivill, X. and Puig, S. (2007). Molecular characterization of a t(9;12)(p21;q13) balanced chromosome translocation in combination with integrative genomics analysis identifies C9orf14 as a candidate tumor-suppressor. Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer, 46 (2), 155-162. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20396

Molecular characterization of a t(9;12)(p21;q13) balanced chromosome translocation in combination with integrative genomics analysis identifies C9orf14 as a candidate tumor-suppressor

2007

Journal Article

Broad tumor spectrum in a mouse model of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Loffler, Kelly A., Biondi, Christine A., Gartside, Michael, Waring, Paul, Stark, Mitchell, Serewko-Auret, Magdalena M., Muller, H. Konrad, Hayward, Nicholas K. and Kay, Graham F. (2007). Broad tumor spectrum in a mouse model of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. International Journal of Cancer, 120 (2), 259-267. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22288

Broad tumor spectrum in a mouse model of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

2007

Journal Article

Features associated with germline CDKN2A mutations: a GenoMEL study of melanoma-prone families from three continents

Goldstein, Alisa M., Chan, May, Harland, Mark, Hayward, Nicholas K., Demenais, Florence, Bishop, D. Timothy, Azizi, Esther, Bergman, Wilma, Bianchi-Scarra, Giovanna, Bruno, William, Calista, Donato, Cannon Albright, Lisa A., Chaudru, Valerie, Chompret, Agnes, Cuellar, Francisco, Elder, David E., Ghiorzo, Paola, Gillanders, Elizabeth M., Gruis, Nelleke A., Hansson, Johan, Hogg, David, Holland, Elizabeth A., Kanetsky, Peter A., Kefford, Richard F., Landi, Maria T., Lang, Julie, Leachman, Sancy A., MacKie, Rona M., Magnusson, Veronica ... Eliason, Mark (2007). Features associated with germline CDKN2A mutations: a GenoMEL study of melanoma-prone families from three continents. Journal of Medical Genetics, 44 (2), 99-106. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2006.043802

Features associated with germline CDKN2A mutations: a GenoMEL study of melanoma-prone families from three continents

2007

Journal Article

Genome-wide loss of heterozygosity and copy number analysis in melanoma using high-denisty single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays

Stark, M. and Hayward, N. (2007). Genome-wide loss of heterozygosity and copy number analysis in melanoma using high-denisty single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Cancer Research, 67 (6), 2632-2642. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-4152

Genome-wide loss of heterozygosity and copy number analysis in melanoma using high-denisty single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays

2007

Journal Article

The M531 mutation in CDKN2A is a founder mutation that predominates in melanoma patients with Scottish ancestry

Lang, J, Hayward, N, Goldgar, D, Tsao, H, Hogg, D, Palmer, J, Stark, M, Tobias, ES and MacKie, R (2007). The M531 mutation in CDKN2A is a founder mutation that predominates in melanoma patients with Scottish ancestry. Genes Chromosomes & Cancer, 46 (3), 277-287. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20410

The M531 mutation in CDKN2A is a founder mutation that predominates in melanoma patients with Scottish ancestry

2006

Journal Article

High-risk Melanoma Susceptibility Genes and Pancreatic Cancer, Neural System Tumors, and Uveal Melanoma across GenoMEL

Goldstein, Alisa M., Chan, May, Harland, Mark, Gillanders, Elizabeth M., Hayward, Nicholas K., Avril, Marie-Francoise, Azizi, Esther, Bianchi-Scarra, Giovanna, Bishop, D. Timothy, Bressac-de Paillerets, Brigitte, Bruno, William, Calista, Donato, Cannon Albright, Lisa A., Demenais, Florence, Elder, David E., Ghiorzo, Paola, Gruis, Nelleke A., Hansson, Johan, Hogg, David, Holland, Elizabeth A., Kanetsky, Peter A., Kefford, Richard F., Landi, Maria Teresa, Lang, Julie, Leachman, Sancy A., MacKie, Rona M., Magnusson, Veronica, Mann, Graham J., Niendorf, Kristin ... Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL) (2006). High-risk Melanoma Susceptibility Genes and Pancreatic Cancer, Neural System Tumors, and Uveal Melanoma across GenoMEL. Cancer research, 66 (20), 9818-9828. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-0494

High-risk Melanoma Susceptibility Genes and Pancreatic Cancer, Neural System Tumors, and Uveal Melanoma across GenoMEL

2006

Journal Article

Osteopontin is a Downstream Effector of the PI3-kinase Pathway in Melanomas that is Inversely Correlated with Functional PTEN

Packer, Leisl, Pavey, Sandra, Parker, Andrew, Stark, Mitchell, Johansson, Peter, Clarke, Belinda, Pollock, Pamela, Ringner, Markus and Hayward, Nicholas (2006). Osteopontin is a Downstream Effector of the PI3-kinase Pathway in Melanomas that is Inversely Correlated with Functional PTEN. Carcinogenesis, 27 (9), 1778-1786. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgl016

Osteopontin is a Downstream Effector of the PI3-kinase Pathway in Melanomas that is Inversely Correlated with Functional PTEN

2006

Journal Article

PI3-Kinase Subunits Are Infrequent Somatic Targets in Melanoma

Curtin, John A., Stark, Mitchell S., Pinkel, Daniel, Hayward, Nicholas K. and Bastian, Boris C. (2006). PI3-Kinase Subunits Are Infrequent Somatic Targets in Melanoma. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 126 (7), 1660-1663. doi: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700311

PI3-Kinase Subunits Are Infrequent Somatic Targets in Melanoma

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Exploration of the skin molecular ecosystem and early melanoma development
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Terahertz Quantum Technology for Melanoma Detection and Progression
    Critical Technologies Challenge Program: Round 1 - Stage 1 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

Past funding

  • 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

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • PhD projects available

    Australian domestic or on-shore International 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 Diamantina Institute. Various projects are available relating to 2 major research streams: microRNA biomarkers for melanoma progression and the development a Genomics Atlas of pre-skin cancer lesions.

    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

    Living stipend scholarships and Tuition Scholarships are available for application from the UQ Graduate School which are currently a Base Stipend of $28,854 per annum tax free (2022 rate), indexed annually, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Top-up Scholarships (tax-free) may also be available.

    Applications for scholarships close 17 July 2022 (International) and 25 September (Domestic) for commencement in RQ1 and RQ2 2023.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Spatial molecular profiling of melanoma and correlation with dermoscopic patterns

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Harald Oey, Professor Peter Soyer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The genomic architecture of suspicious lesions and skin in photodamaged and non-photodamaged areas (PhotoMelanoma)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Professor Peter Soyer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Predictive and prognostic biomarkers for melanoma progression (BioMEL)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Precision diagnostics for early melanoma detection

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Professor Peter Soyer, Dr Snehlata Kumari

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A nano-map of cytokines in skin: Personalising treatment of skin inflammation by a digital nanotechnology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Harnessing nanotechnology to unravel the phenotypic heterogeneity of extracellular vesicles

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Abu Sina, Dr Alain Wuethrich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Deep learning analysis of spatial-omics and histopathological images to predict prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Deep learning analysis of spatial-omics and histopathological images to predict prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Deep learning analysis of spatial-omics and histopathological images to predict prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A nano-map of cytokines in skin: Personalising treatment of skin inflammation by a digital nanotechnology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Harnessing Epigenetic Plasticity to Develop Effective Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Recurrent Melanoma

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee

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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