Dr Mitchell Stark
Dr

Mitchell Stark

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 38027

Background

Dr Mitchell Stark is a molecular biologist and Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow from the Dermatology Research Centre (DRC) based at the Frazer Institute. His group has extensive experience in microRNA biology and biomarker discovery, next-generation sequencing, 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 insight into the early progression of melanoma and keratinocyte cancer, to aid in preventing invasive skin cancer formation and offer increased precision to the clinical management of patients.

Dr Stark completed his PhD (2015) in melanoma microRNA biomarkers at The Queensland University of Technology based at the QIMR Berghofer (QIMRB) Medical Research Institute. Prior to commencing his PhD, he worked as Senior Research Assistant (since 1999) and was trained and mentored in the Hayward lab (QIMRB) where he contributed to and led some seminal findings in the melanoma genetics/genomics field. Dr Stark joined the DRC in 2015 and in 2016 he was awarded a prestigious NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship to lead a pre-melanoma genomics program. Dr Stark has a career total of 80+ publications (h-index 35) including 1 patent and has published in respected journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics, Cancer Research, and Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Availability

Dr 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

108 works between 2001 and 2024
All (108) Journal Article (92) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (15)

81 - 100 of 108 works

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

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

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

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

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

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

2006

Journal Article

Mutation of the tumour suppressor p33ING1b is rare in melanoma

Stark, M., Puig-Butille, J. A., Walker, G., Badenas, C., Malvehy, J., Hayward , N. and Puig, S. (2006). Mutation of the tumour suppressor p33ING1b is rare in melanoma. British Journal of Dermatology, 155 (1), 94-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07274.x

Mutation of the tumour suppressor p33ING1b is rare in melanoma

2006

Journal Article

Rapid screening of 4000 individuals for germ-line variations in the BRAF gene

James, Michael R., Dumeni, Troy, Stark, Mitchell S., Duffy, David L., Montgomery, Grant W., Martin, Nicholas G. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2006). Rapid screening of 4000 individuals for germ-line variations in the BRAF gene. Clinical Chemistry, 52 (9), 1675-1678. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.070169

Rapid screening of 4000 individuals for germ-line variations in the BRAF gene

2005

Journal Article

BRAF Polymorphisms and Risk of Melanocytic Neoplasia

James, Michael R., Roth, Richard B., Shi, Michael M., Kammerer, Stefan, Nelson, Matthew R., Stark, Mitchell S., Dumenil, Troy, Montgomery, Grant W., Hayward, Nicholas K., Martin, Nicholas G., Braun, Andreas and Duffy, David L. (2005). BRAF Polymorphisms and Risk of Melanocytic Neoplasia. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 125 (6), 1252-1258. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23937.x

BRAF Polymorphisms and Risk of Melanocytic Neoplasia

2005

Journal Article

Activation of the MAPK pathway is a common event in uveal melanomas although it rarely occurs through mutation of BRAF or RAS

Zuidervaart, W., van Nieuwpoort, F., Stark, M., Dijkman, R., Packer, L., Borgstein, A. -M., Pavey, S., van der Velden, P., Out, C., Jager, M. J., Hayward, N. K. and Gruis, N. A. (2005). Activation of the MAPK pathway is a common event in uveal melanomas although it rarely occurs through mutation of BRAF or RAS. British Journal of Cancer, 92 (11), 2032-2038. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602598

Activation of the MAPK pathway is a common event in uveal melanomas although it rarely occurs through mutation of BRAF or RAS

2004

Journal Article

Microarray expression profiling in melanoma reveals a BRAF mutation signature

Pavey, Sandra, Johansson, Peter, Packer, Leisl, Taylor, Jennifer, Stark, Mitchell, Pollock, Pamela M., Walker, Graeme J., Boyle, Glen M., Harper, Ursula, Cozzi, Sarah-Jane, Hansen, Katherine, Yudt, Laura, Schmidt, Chris, Hersey, Peter, Ellem, Kay A. O., O'Rourke, Michael G. E., Parsons, Peter G., Meltzer, Paul, Ringnér, Markus and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2004). Microarray expression profiling in melanoma reveals a BRAF mutation signature. Oncogene, 23 (23), 4060-4067. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207563

Microarray expression profiling in melanoma reveals a BRAF mutation signature

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Exploration of the skin molecular ecosystem and early melanoma development
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    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
  • 2021 - 2024
    Advanced technological approach to predicting survival in patients diagnosed with locally invasive cutaneous melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    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
  • 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

Dr 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Mitchell Stark directly for media enquiries about:

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

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