Associate Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo
Associate Professor

Aideen McInerney-Leo

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 33735

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

127 works between 2000 and 2025
All (127) Journal Article (116) Conference Publication (8) Other Outputs (3)

21 - 40 of 127 works

2024

Conference Publication

Australia's largest primary ciliary dyskinesia cohort: exploring the genetic background

Maas, Ellie, Marshall, Mhairi, Leo, Paul, Cook, Anne, Gantert, Katherine, Morgan, Lucy, Chang, Anne Bernadette, Duncan, Emma and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2024). Australia's largest primary ciliary dyskinesia cohort: exploring the genetic background. 56th Annual Conference of the European-Society-of-Human-Genetics (ESHG), Glasgow, Scotland, 10-13 June 2023. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group.

Australia's largest primary ciliary dyskinesia cohort: exploring the genetic background

2023

Journal Article

Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey

Yanes, Tatiane, Nathan, Vaishnavi, Wallingford, Courtney, Faragher, Rhonda, Nankervis, Karen, Jacobs, Chris, Vassos, Maria, Boyle, Fran, Carroll, Annemaree, Smith, Simon and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2023). Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 33 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1788

Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey

2023

Journal Article

Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Testing and Personal Insurance Products in Australia – CORRIGENDUM

McInerney-Leo, Aideen M., Ayres, Samantha, Boyle, Jackie, Jacobs, Chris and Newson, Ainsley J. (2023). Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Testing and Personal Insurance Products in Australia – CORRIGENDUM. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 27 (4-5), 1-1. doi: 10.1017/thg.2023.36

Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Testing and Personal Insurance Products in Australia – CORRIGENDUM

2023

Journal Article

MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma

Wallingford, Courtney K., Maas, Ellie J., Howard, Antonia, DeBortoli, Emily, Bhanja, Deboshmita, Lee, Katie, Mothershaw, Adam, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Willett, Rod, Betz‐Stablein, Brigid, Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen M. (2023). MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 37 (1), 68-73. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.13122

MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma

2023

Journal Article

Financial advisers’ and key informants’ perspectives on the Australian industry-led Moratorium on Genetic Tests in Life Insurance

Haining, Casey Michelle, Tiller, Jane, Otlowski, Margaret, Gleeson, Penny, Murawski, Carsten, Barlow-Stewart, Kristine, Lacaze, Paul, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Keogh, Louise Anne (2023). Financial advisers’ and key informants’ perspectives on the Australian industry-led Moratorium on Genetic Tests in Life Insurance. Public Health Genomics, 26 (1), 123-134. doi: 10.1159/000533532

Financial advisers’ and key informants’ perspectives on the Australian industry-led Moratorium on Genetic Tests in Life Insurance

2023

Journal Article

Development and evaluation of a novel educational program for providers on the use of polygenic risk scores

Yanes, Tatiane, Wallingford, Courtney, Young, Mary-Anne, McInerney-Leo, Aideen M., Willis, Amanda M., McKnight, Lauren, Terrill, Bronwyn, McInerny, Simone, Forrest, Laura E., Cicciarelli, Linda, Williams, Rachel, Keane, Holly and James, Paul A. (2023). Development and evaluation of a novel educational program for providers on the use of polygenic risk scores. Genetics in Medicine, 25 (8) 100876, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100876

Development and evaluation of a novel educational program for providers on the use of polygenic risk scores

2023

Journal Article

GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility

Maas, Ellie J., Wallingford, Courtney K., DeBortoli, Emily, Smit, Darren J., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren G., Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2023). GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility. Journal of Medical Genetics, 60 (9) jmg-2023-109348, 1-3. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109348

GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility

2023

Journal Article

The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers

Wallingford, Courtney K., Demeshko, Anastassia, Krishnakripa, Asha Krishnankutty, Smit, Darren J., Duffy, David L., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Pflugfelder, Annette, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Holland, Elizabeth, Mann, Graham J., Primiero, Clare A., Yanes, Tatiane, Malvehy, Josep, Badenas, Cèlia, Carrera, Cristina, Aguilera, Paula, Olsen, Catherine M., Ward, Sarah V., Haass, Nikolas K., Sturm, Richard A., Puig, Susanna, Whiteman, David C., Law, Matthew H., Cust, Anne E., Potrony, Miriam, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2023). The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers. British Journal of Dermatology, 188 (6), 770-776. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad041

The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers

2023

Journal Article

Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: genetic testing and personal insurance products in Australia

McInerney-Leo, Aideen M., Ayres, Samantha, Boyle, Jackie, Jacobs, Chris and Newson, Ainsley J. (2023). Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: genetic testing and personal insurance products in Australia. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 17 (2), 1-4. doi: 10.1017/thg.2023.11

Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: genetic testing and personal insurance products in Australia

2023

Journal Article

Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Carrier Testing for Recessive Conditions

Vears, Danya F., Boyle, Jackie, Jacobs, Chris, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Newson, Ainsley J. (2023). Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Carrier Testing for Recessive Conditions. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 57 (2) PII S1832427423000154, 1-7. doi: 10.1017/thg.2023.15

Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Genetic Carrier Testing for Recessive Conditions

2023

Journal Article

Correction: Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: A survey of consumers offered genetic testing

Tiller, Jane, Bakshi, Andrew, Dowling, Grace, Keogh, Louise, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Barlow-Stewart, Kristine, Boughtwood, Tiffany, Gleeson, Penny, Delatycki, Martin B., Winship, Ingrid, Otlowski, Margaret and Lacaze, Paul (2023). Correction: Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: A survey of consumers offered genetic testing. European Journal of Human Genetics, 32 (3), 365-365. doi: 10.1038/s41431-023-01391-z

Correction: Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: A survey of consumers offered genetic testing

2023

Journal Article

Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: a survey of consumers offered genetic testing

Tiller, Jane, Bakshi, Andrew, Dowling, Grace, Keogh, Louise, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Barlow-Stewart, Kristine, Boughtwood, Tiffany, Gleeson, Penny, Delatycki, Martin B., Winship, Ingrid, Otlowski, Margaret and Lacaze, Paul (2023). Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: a survey of consumers offered genetic testing. European Journal of Human Genetics, 32 (3), 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41431-023-01373-1

Community concerns about genetic discrimination in life insurance persist in Australia: a survey of consumers offered genetic testing

2023

Conference Publication

Models of communication for polygenic scores and associated behavioural and psychological outcomes: a systematic review

Wallingford, Courtney, Kovilpillai, Hannah, Jacobs, Chris, Turbitt, Erin, Primiero, Clare, Brockman, Deanna, Soyer, Hans Peter, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Yanes, Tatiane (2023). Models of communication for polygenic scores and associated behavioural and psychological outcomes: a systematic review. 55th European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference, Vienna, Austria, 11-14 June 2022. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group.

Models of communication for polygenic scores and associated behavioural and psychological outcomes: a systematic review

2023

Conference Publication

Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE and BAP1

Maas, Ellie, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren, Soyer, Hans Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen (2023). Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE and BAP1. 55th European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference, Vienna, Austria, 11-14 June 2022. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group.

Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE and BAP1

2023

Journal Article

Management of cutaneous melanoma in Australia: a narrative review

Bhave, Prachi, Wong, Jessica, McInerney‐Leo, Aideen, Cust, Anne E., Lawn, Craig, Janda, Monika and Mar, Victoria J. (2023). Management of cutaneous melanoma in Australia: a narrative review. Medical Journal of Australia, 218 (9), 426-431. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51910

Management of cutaneous melanoma in Australia: a narrative review

2023

Journal Article

Rare and common variants in GALNT3 may affect bone mass independently of phosphate metabolism

Hassan, Neelam, Gregson, Celia L., Tang, Haotian, Kamp, Marc van der, Leo, Paul, McInerney‐Leo, Aideen M., Zheng, Jie, Brandi, Maria Luisa, Tang, Jonathan C. Y., Fraser, William, Stone, Michael D., Grundberg, Elin, McCloskey, Eugene, Nicholson, Geoffrey C., Eastell, Richard, Prince, Richard L., Eisman, John A., Jones, Graeme, Sambrook, Philip, Reid, Ian R., Dennison, Elaine M., Wark, John, Brown, Matthew A.., Duncan, Emma L., Tobias, Jonathan H. and Anglo‐Australasian Genetics Consortium (2023). Rare and common variants in GALNT3 may affect bone mass independently of phosphate metabolism. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 38 (5), 678-691. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.4795

Rare and common variants in GALNT3 may affect bone mass independently of phosphate metabolism

2022

Journal Article

Protocol to evaluate a pilot program to upskill clinicians in providing genetic testing for familial melanoma

Primiero, Clare A., Finnane, Anna, Yanes, Tatiane, Peach, Betsy, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2022). Protocol to evaluate a pilot program to upskill clinicians in providing genetic testing for familial melanoma. PLoS One, 17 (12) e0275926, 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275926

Protocol to evaluate a pilot program to upskill clinicians in providing genetic testing for familial melanoma

2022

Journal Article

Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE, BAP1

Maas, Ellie J., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren G., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2022). Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE, BAP1. Trends in Genetics, 38 (12), 1204-1207. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.06.007

Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: POT1, POLE, BAP1

2022

Journal Article

Attitudes of Australian dermatologists on the use of genetic testing: A cross-sectional survey with a focus on melanoma

Primiero, Clare A., Baker, Amy M., Wallingford, Courtney K., Maas, Ellie J., Yanes, Tatiane, Fowles, Lindsay, Janda, Monika, Young, Mary-Anne, Nisselle, Amy, Terrill, Bronwyn, Lodge, Jason M., Tiller, Jane M., Lacaze, Paul, Andersen, Hayley, McErlean, Gemma, Turbitt, Erin, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2022). Attitudes of Australian dermatologists on the use of genetic testing: A cross-sectional survey with a focus on melanoma. Frontiers in Genetics, 13 919134, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.919134

Attitudes of Australian dermatologists on the use of genetic testing: A cross-sectional survey with a focus on melanoma

2022

Journal Article

Measurable outcomes of consumer engagement in health research: A scoping review

DeBortoli, Emily, Soyer, H. Peter, Milne, David, Dissanayaka, Nadeeka, Gartner, Coral, Holt, Jeanette, Rae, Kym, Robison, Laura, Wallingford, Courtney K. and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2022). Measurable outcomes of consumer engagement in health research: A scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 10 994547, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994547

Measurable outcomes of consumer engagement in health research: A scoping review

Current 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
  • 2024 - 2028
    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
  • 2021 - 2026
    To determine whether provider type affects psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in genetic testing for melanoma.
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 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 - 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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Multiple Primary Melanoma: Defining phenotypic, behavioural, and genetic risk profile for invasive versus in situ lesions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Unusual suspects in hereditary melanoma: phenotype-genotype characterisation of POT1, POLE, BAP1 and CDKN2A carriers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Translating polygenic and personalised risk scores: Acceptability and impact of providing polygenic and personalised risk information for melanoma

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer, 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mainstreaming polygenic risk testing for common cancers into clinical practice

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Artificial Intelligence Tools for Automated Melanoma Risk Assessment: Potential Utility and Validation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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