Overview
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
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Applied Science, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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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.”
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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.
Works
Search Professor Mitchell Stark’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2004
Journal Article
Conditional inactivation of the Men1 gene leads to pancreatic and pituitary tumorigenesis but does not affect normal development of these tissues
Biondi, C. A., Gartside, M. G., Waring, P., Loffler, K. A., Stark, M. S., Magnuson, M. A., Kay, G. F. and Hayward, N. K. (2004). Conditional inactivation of the Men1 gene leads to pancreatic and pituitary tumorigenesis but does not affect normal development of these tissues. Molecular And Cellular Biology, 24 (8), 3125-3131. doi: 10.1128/MCB.24.8.3125-3131.2004
2003
Journal Article
Ocular melanoma is not associated with CDKN2A or MC1R variants - a population-based study
Vajdic, C, Kricker, A, Duffy, DL, Aitken, JF, Stark, M, ter Huurne, JAC, Martin, NG, Armstrong, BK and Hayward, NK (2003). Ocular melanoma is not associated with CDKN2A or MC1R variants - a population-based study. Melanoma Research, 13 (4), 409-413. doi: 10.1097/01.cmr.0000056244.56735.28
2003
Journal Article
High frequency of BRAF mutations in nevi
Pollock, Pamela M., Harper, Ursula L., Hansen, Katherine S., Yudt, Laura M., Stark, Mitchell, Robbins, Christiane M., Moses, Tracy Y., Hostetter, Galen, Wagner, Urs, Kakareka, John, Salem, Ghadi, Pohida, Tom, Heenan, Peter, Duray, Paul, Kallioniemi, Olli, Hayward, Nicholas K., Trent, Jeffrey M. and Meltzer, Paul S. (2003). High frequency of BRAF mutations in nevi. Nature Genetics, 33 (1), 19-20. doi: 10.1038/ng1054
2003
Journal Article
Localization of a novel melanoma susceptibility locus to 1p22
Gillanders, Elizabeth, Juo, Suh-Hang Hank, Holland, Elizabeth A., Jones, MaryPat, Nancarrow, Derek, Freas-Lutz, Diana, Sood, Raman, Park, Naeun, Faruque, Mezbah, Markey, Carol, Kefford, Richard F., Palmer, Jane, Bergman, Wilma, Bishop, D. Timothy, Tucker, Margaret A., Bressac-de Paillerets, Brigitte, Hansson, Johan, The Lund Melanoma Study Group, Stark, Mitchell, Gruis, Nelleke, Newton Bishop, Julia, Goldstein, Alisa M., Bailey-Wilson, Joan E., Mann, Graham J., Hayward, Nicholas, Trent, Jeffrey, Martin, Nicholas G. and The Melanoma Genetics Consortium (2003). Localization of a novel melanoma susceptibility locus to 1p22. American Journal of Human Genetics, 73 (2), 301-313. doi: 10.1086/377140
2001
Journal Article
Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families
Pollock, Pamela M., Stark, Mitchell S., Palmer, Jane M., Walters, Marilyn K., Aitken, Joanne F., Martin, Nicholas G. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2001). Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families. Genes Chromosomes and Cancer, 32 (1), 89-94. doi: 10.1002/gcc.1170
2001
Journal Article
Lack of Genetic and Epigenetic Changes in CDKN2A in Melanocytic Nevi [Letter to the editor]
Welch, John, Millar, Doug, Goldman, Alana, Heenan, Peter, Stark, Mitchell, Eldon, Michael, Clark, Susan, Martin, Nicholas G. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2001). Lack of Genetic and Epigenetic Changes in CDKN2A in Melanocytic Nevi [Letter to the editor]. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 117 (2), 383-384. doi: 10.1046/j.0022-202x.2001.01391.x
2001
Journal Article
MC1R genotype modifies risk of melanoma in families segregating CDKN2A mutations
Box, N. F., Duffy, D. L., Chen, W., Stark, M., Martin, N. G., Sturm, R. A. and Hayward, N. K. (2001). MC1R genotype modifies risk of melanoma in families segregating CDKN2A mutations. American Journal of Human Genetics, 69 (4), 765-773. doi: 10.1086/323412
2001
Conference Publication
Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families
Pollock, Pamela. M., Stark, Mitchell, Palmer, Jane M., Walters, Marilyn K., Martin, Nick G., Green, Adele C. and Hayward, Nicholas K. (2001). Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. New York, NY, United States: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/87254
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Mitchell Stark is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Predictive and prognostic biomarkers for melanoma progression (BioMEL)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Precision diagnostics for early melanoma detection
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Professor Peter Soyer, Dr Snehlata Kumari
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Doctor Philosophy
Spatial molecular profiling of melanoma and correlation with dermoscopic patterns
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer
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Doctor Philosophy
Nanotechnology-Enhanced Sensing Platforms for Early Detection of Cancer Progression
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing Epigenetic Plasticity to Develop Effective Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Recurrent Melanoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
Deep learning analysis of spatial-omics and histopathological images to predict prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen
Completed supervision
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2020
Master Philosophy
Identification of clinically useful plasma miRNA as minimally invasive biomarkers for early stage Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer
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2018
Master Philosophy
Dermoscopic and molecular correlation of melanocytic naevi
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Mitchell Stark directly for media enquiries about:
- Cancer Biomarker
- Early melanoma detection
- Genomics
- Melanoma
- microRNA
- Naevi
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