Dr Mitchell Stark
Dr

Mitchell Stark

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+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)

101 - 108 of 108 works

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

Conditional inactivation of the Men1 gene leads to pancreatic and pituitary tumorigenesis but does not affect normal development of these tissues

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

Ocular melanoma is not associated with CDKN2A or MC1R variants - a population-based study

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

Localization of a novel melanoma susceptibility locus to 1p22

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

High frequency of BRAF mutations in nevi

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

Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families

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

Lack of Genetic and Epigenetic Changes in CDKN2A in Melanocytic Nevi [Letter to the editor]

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

Mutation analysis of the CDKN2A promoter in Australian melanoma families

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

MC1R genotype modifies risk of melanoma in families segregating CDKN2A mutations

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

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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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