Associate Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo
Associate Professor

Aideen McInerney-Leo

Email: 

Background

I am a clinician-academic whose interactions with patients have shaped my research questions and fuelled my enthusiasm for the importance of clinical research. I trained as a genetic counsellor and my research now focuses on the integration of genomics into clinical care. My research program has had three primary themes: evaluating the psychosocial impact of genetic conditions and/or genetic testing; evaluating genetics education preferences for patients and healthcare providers; and using next-generation sequencing to increase diagnostic yield for rare disorders.

Current research projects include:

  1. Exploring whether genetic fatalism affects sun-related health behaviours in high-risk individuals following genetic testing.
  2. Exploring the referral journey to genetic services for individuals with rare diseases
  3. Assessing Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) members’ confidence in reviewing genomic research applications.
  4. Mainstreaming Genetic Testing for Melanoma into Dermatology Practice.
  5. Using Exome sequencing to identify new genes in families with inherited melanoma, negative for mutations in known genes.

Availability

Associate Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, The University of Manchester
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Integrating genetic testing for melanoma into dermatology practice

    Our study explores whether upskilling dermatologists to offer genetic testing for melanoma is acceptable to dermatologists and whether patient outcomes, as compared to when genetic testing is offered by a genetic counsellor.

Search Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo’s works on UQ eSpace

154 works between 2000 and 2026
All (154) Journal Article (135) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (17)

1 - 20 of 154 works

2026

Journal Article

“There’s no representation”: a qualitative study of attitudes and motivations towards genomic research participation among Australian South Asians

Nathan, Vaishnavi, Akbar, Heena, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Gilroy, Deborah, Henders, Anjali, Naresh, Reema, Choudhury, Nahid, Waqar, Maleeha, Shah, Sonia, Yanes, Tatiane, on behalf of the South Asian Genes and Health in Australia (SAGHA) research team, Atherton, John, Greaves, Kim, McGaughran, Julie, Mehta, Divya, Villani, Rehan Marie, Wallis, Katharine and Wray, Naomi R. (2026). “There’s no representation”: a qualitative study of attitudes and motivations towards genomic research participation among Australian South Asians. European Journal of Human Genetics. doi: 10.1038/s41431-026-02129-3

“There’s no representation”: a qualitative study of attitudes and motivations towards genomic research participation among Australian South Asians

2026

Journal Article

How has the rise of direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing impacted genetic counselling practice? A scoping review

McKinney, Cushla, Newton, Giselle, Nathan, Vaishnavi and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2026). How has the rise of direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing impacted genetic counselling practice? A scoping review. Clinical Genetics, 109 (5) cge.70150, 819-836. doi: 10.1111/cge.70150

How has the rise of direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing impacted genetic counselling practice? A scoping review

2026

Conference Publication

Review of HS genetics and whole exome sequencing of Australia's first Hidradenitis Suppurativa cohort

Maas, Ellie, Kahler, Sam, Snehlata, Kumari, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, McMeniman, Erin and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2026). Review of HS genetics and whole exome sequencing of Australia's first Hidradenitis Suppurativa cohort. Australasian College of Dermatologists, 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 16-18 May 2026. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/ajd.70104

Review of HS genetics and whole exome sequencing of Australia's first Hidradenitis Suppurativa cohort

2026

Conference Publication

Three dimensional total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk

Kahler, Sam, Primiero, Clare, Mothershaw, Adam, Jayasinghe, Dilki, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Janda, Monika, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2026). Three dimensional total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk. Australasian College of Dermatologists, 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 16-18 May 2026. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/ajd.70101

Three dimensional total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk

2026

Journal Article

Preparing healthcare providers to use polygenic risk scores: a qualitative study of learning needs and educational preferences

Clark, Amy, Wallingford, Courtney K., Berkman, Jennifer, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Nisselle, Amy, Terrill, Bronwyn, Palpant, Nathan, Young, Mary-Anne, James, Paul A. and Yanes, Tatiane (2026). Preparing healthcare providers to use polygenic risk scores: a qualitative study of learning needs and educational preferences. BMJ Open, 16 (5) e111898, e111898-5. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-111898

Preparing healthcare providers to use polygenic risk scores: a qualitative study of learning needs and educational preferences

2026

Journal Article

AK8 deficiency causes primary ciliary dyskinesia by disrupting energy homeostasis in the airways

Thüß, Dörthe, Liu, Ying, Dougherty, Gerard W., Maas, Ellie J., He, Jie, Zhou, Xianglin, Schultz, André, Nielsen, Kim G., Omran, Heymut, Luo, Hong, the AK8 Study Group, McInerney-Leo, Aideen M., Yang, Binyi, Yang, Danhui, Lei, Cheng, Guo, Ting, Guo, Manqing, Fan, Hui, Ding, Shuizi, Liu, Lv, Duncan, Emma L., Wohlgemuth, Kai, Bracht, Diana C., Olbrich, Heike, Loges, Niki T., Rieck, Cynthia, Wilken, Alina, König, Julia, Hjeij, Rim ... Otto, Dominik (2026). AK8 deficiency causes primary ciliary dyskinesia by disrupting energy homeostasis in the airways. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine aamag214. doi: 10.1093/ajrccm/aamag214

AK8 deficiency causes primary ciliary dyskinesia by disrupting energy homeostasis in the airways

2026

Journal Article

Consumer and community involvement in health research in Australia: evaluation of researcher training workshops

McGahan, Ella G., DeBortoli, Emily, Maxwell, Jo, Frank, Belinda, McKenzie, Anne and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2026). Consumer and community involvement in health research in Australia: evaluation of researcher training workshops. Public Health Research and Practice, 36 (2) PU25010. doi: 10.1071/pu25010

Consumer and community involvement in health research in Australia: evaluation of researcher training workshops

2026

Journal Article

Genotype- dermatological phenotype correlations in CDKN2A, POT1, POLE, BAP1 variant carriers using 3D total-body-imaging

Maas, Ellie J., Kahler, Sam, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Gillis, Maura C., Primiero, Clare, Portony, Miriam, Mothershaw, Adam, Berkman, Jenny, De Bortoli, Emily, Pham, Thi, Weir, Vanessa, Kurtansk, Nicholas, Serra-García, Laura, Carrera, Cristina, Aguilera, Paula, Malvehy, Josep, Puig, Susana, Rotemberg, Veronica, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2026). Genotype- dermatological phenotype correlations in CDKN2A, POT1, POLE, BAP1 variant carriers using 3D total-body-imaging. British Journal of Dermatology ljag137. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljag137

Genotype- dermatological phenotype correlations in CDKN2A, POT1, POLE, BAP1 variant carriers using 3D total-body-imaging

2026

Journal Article

Automating skin colour assessment using 3D total‐body photography: A proof‐of‐concept study

Rutjes, Chantal, Primiero, Clare A., Mothershaw, Adam, Betz‐Stablein, Brigid, Muller, Nicholas M., Liu, Timothy J., McInerney‐Leo, Aideen, Janda, Monika, Soyer, Hans Peter and Jayasinghe, Dilki (2026). Automating skin colour assessment using 3D total‐body photography: A proof‐of‐concept study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 40 (3) jdv.70146, 528-530. doi: 10.1111/jdv.70146

Automating skin colour assessment using 3D total‐body photography: A proof‐of‐concept study

2026

Journal Article

3D-total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk

Kahler, Sam, Primiero, Clare, Mothershaw, Adam, Jayasinghe, Dilki, Rutjes, Chantal, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Janda, Monika, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2026). 3D-total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk. British Journal of Dermatology, 194 (3) ljaf440, 531-539. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljaf440

3D-total body photography identifies cutaneous phenotypes associated with late-onset invasive melanoma risk

2026

Journal Article

MITF E318K naevus phenotype: the modifying role of MC1R Red Hair Variants

Kahler, Sam, Serra-García, Laura, Maas, Ellie, Potrony, Miriam, Aguilera, Paula, Mothershaw, Adam, Primiero, Clare, Malvehy, Josep, Soyer, H. Peter, Puig, Susana and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2026). MITF E318K naevus phenotype: the modifying role of MC1R Red Hair Variants. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2026.03.017

MITF E318K naevus phenotype: the modifying role of MC1R Red Hair Variants

2026

Journal Article

Population‐based melanoma screening using integrated risk scores in Australia: A narrative review to determine readiness

Wallingford, Courtney K., Mighton, Chloe, Dawson, Tamara, Cust, Anne, Soyer, H. Peter, Bombard, Yvonne, Yanes, Tatiane and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2026). Population‐based melanoma screening using integrated risk scores in Australia: A narrative review to determine readiness. Medical Journal of Australia, 224 (2) e70133, 1-11. doi: 10.5694/mja2.70133

Population‐based melanoma screening using integrated risk scores in Australia: A narrative review to determine readiness

2025

Conference Publication

A Theory-Informed Approach to Delivering Genomic Testing for Paediatric Inborn Errors of Immunity

DeBortoli, Emily, Clinch, Tenielle, Burbury, Lucy, Clark, Amy, Pinzon-Charry, Alberto, Melo, Mariana, Sullivan, Anna, Peake, Jane, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, McNaughton, Peter, Taylor, Natalie, McKay, Skye and Yanes, Tatiane (2025). A Theory-Informed Approach to Delivering Genomic Testing for Paediatric Inborn Errors of Immunity. 35th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2-5 September 2025. New York, NY United States: Rockefeller University Press. doi: 10.70962/ascia2025abstract.p154

A Theory-Informed Approach to Delivering Genomic Testing for Paediatric Inborn Errors of Immunity

2025

Journal Article

Prevalence of high-risk melanoma variants in early-onset and/or multiple primary melanoma in an Australian cohort

Maas, Ellie J., Wallingford, Courtney K,, De Bortoli, Emily, Primiero, Clare, Freeman, Ned P., Smit, Darren J., Lee, Katie J., Jagirdar, Kasturee, McMeniman, Erin, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2025). Prevalence of high-risk melanoma variants in early-onset and/or multiple primary melanoma in an Australian cohort. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV, 39 (11) e950, 1-6. doi: 10.1111/jdv.20673

Prevalence of high-risk melanoma variants in early-onset and/or multiple primary melanoma in an Australian cohort

2025

Journal Article

Privacy in imaging for dermatology research

Caffery, Liam J., Sullivan, Ryan P., McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Lawn, Craig, Mendis, Roshni A., Janda, Monika, Halpern, Allan C. and Soyer, H. Peter (2025). Privacy in imaging for dermatology research. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 145 (11), 2662-2664. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.06.1288

Privacy in imaging for dermatology research

2025

Conference Publication

"It's a godsend" A qualitative exploration of parent experiences of mainstreamed genetic testing for inborn errors of immunity

Yanes, Tatiane, DeBortoli, Emily, Clark, Amy, Blancoe, Marisa, Sgro, Chris Rocco, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Pinzon-Charry, Alberto, Melo, Mariana, Peake, Jane, Sullivan, Anna and McNaughton, Peter (2025). "It's a godsend" A qualitative exploration of parent experiences of mainstreamed genetic testing for inborn errors of immunity. 58th European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference, Milan, Italy, 24-27 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group. doi: 10.1038/s41431-025-01936-4

"It's a godsend" A qualitative exploration of parent experiences of mainstreamed genetic testing for inborn errors of immunity

2025

Conference Publication

Polygenic risk in practice: an evaluation of genetic health care providers' learning needs and preferences

Berkman, Jennifer, Clark, Amy, Wallingford, Courtney K., Nisselle, Amy, Terrill, Bronwyn, Young, Mary-Anne, James, Paul, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Yanes, Tatiane (2025). Polygenic risk in practice: an evaluation of genetic health care providers' learning needs and preferences. 58th European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference, Milan, Italy, 24-27 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group. doi: 10.1038/s41431-025-01935-5

Polygenic risk in practice: an evaluation of genetic health care providers' learning needs and preferences

2025

Conference Publication

Mainstreaming genomic testing for paediatric inborn errors of immunity

DeBortoli, Emily, Clinch, Tenielle, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Sullivan, Anna, Pinzon-Charry, Alberto, Melo, Mariana, Peake, Jane, McNaughton, Peter and Yanes, Tatiane (2025). Mainstreaming genomic testing for paediatric inborn errors of immunity. 58th European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference, Milan, Italy, 24-27 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group. doi: 10.1038/s41431-025-01935-5

Mainstreaming genomic testing for paediatric inborn errors of immunity

2025

Journal Article

Germline CDKN2A Variant Cascade Testing Across Four Generations Reveals Familial Melanoma–Breast Cancer Genotype–Phenotype Correlation

Berkman, Jennifer, Maas, Ellie J., DeBortoli, E., Primiero, Clare A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2025). Germline CDKN2A Variant Cascade Testing Across Four Generations Reveals Familial Melanoma–Breast Cancer Genotype–Phenotype Correlation. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 38 (5) e70055, 1-6. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.70055

Germline CDKN2A Variant Cascade Testing Across Four Generations Reveals Familial Melanoma–Breast Cancer Genotype–Phenotype Correlation

2025

Journal Article

Exploring the experience of communication in healthcare settings with parents of children with a rare genetic condition: “It's the more negative ones that you remember”

Burbury, Lucy, Ayres, Samantha, Boyle, Jackie, Renton, Heather and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2025). Exploring the experience of communication in healthcare settings with parents of children with a rare genetic condition: “It's the more negative ones that you remember”. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34 (4) e70102. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.70102

Exploring the experience of communication in healthcare settings with parents of children with a rare genetic condition: “It's the more negative ones that you remember”

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Melanoma Population Screening: Using Genomics to Facilitate Risk Stratification
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Genetics: The key to a future without macular degeneration
    Estate of Marie June Collins via Research Donations
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Embedding Genomics in the Childhood Hearing Clinic
    Illumina Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Genomics of paediatric inborn errors of immunity
    TRI Leading Innovations through New Collaborations Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Assessing behavioural impacts of receiving personalised risk scores for melanoma (Australia Melanoma Research Foundation Early Career Scientist Grant)
    Australian Melanoma Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Empowering Human Research Ethics Committee Members to Evaluate Genomics Applications
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Intelligent total body scanner for early detection of melanoma
    NHMRC European Union Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    iToBoS: Intelligent Total Body Scanner for Early Detection of Melanoma (EU H2020 application led by Universitat de Girona)
    Universitat de Girona
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    To determine whether provider type affects psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in genetic testing for melanoma.
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Establishing Australia's First Familial Melanoma Clinic (MSH RSS SERTA Program Grant led by Metro South Hospital and Health Service)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    'We need to talk' : Genomics and disability
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Life Insurance: Monitoring the impact (MRFF Genomics Project administered by Monash)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Identifying genes causing melanoma and modifying the phenotype and exploring whether genetic fatalism affects sun-related health behaviours in high-risk individuals.
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo is:
Available for supervision

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

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrating genomics and deep phenotyping to optimise care for paediatric hearing loss

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing and implementing interventions to facilitate the utilisation of polygenic risk scores in risk stratifying older populations for degenerative eye disease

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes, Associate Professor Amy Nisselle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Facilitating the integration of genomics into healthcare

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adam Hulme, Dr Tatiane Yanes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrating established and emerging genomic testing into clinical cancer care

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development and evaluation of model of care for implementation of genomic testing for paediatric healthcare

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au