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

135 works between 2000 and 2025
All (135) Journal Article (124) Conference Publication (9) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 135 works

2024

Journal Article

“Uninsurable because of a genetic test”: a qualitative study of consumer views about the use of genetic test results in Australian life insurance

Muller, Cassandra, Gallacher, Lyndon, Keogh, Louise, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Boughtwood, Tiffany, Gleeson, Penny, Barlow-Stewart, Kristine, Delatycki, Martin B., Winship, Ingrid, Nowak, Kristen J., Otlowski, Margaret, Lacaze, Paul and Tiller, Jane (2024). “Uninsurable because of a genetic test”: a qualitative study of consumer views about the use of genetic test results in Australian life insurance. European Journal of Human Genetics, 32 (7), 827-836. doi: 10.1038/s41431-024-01602-1

“Uninsurable because of a genetic test”: a qualitative study of consumer views about the use of genetic test results in Australian life insurance

2024

Journal Article

Narrative therapy and family therapy in genetic counseling: a scoping review

Dane, Aimee, Berkman, Jennifer, DeBortoli, Emily, Wallingford, Courtney K., Yanes, Tatiane and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2024). Narrative therapy and family therapy in genetic counseling: a scoping review. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34 (2) e1938. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1938

Narrative therapy and family therapy in genetic counseling: a scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Australian researcher's perspectives on the Australian industry‐led moratorium on genetic tests in life insurance

Yanes, Tatiane, Blencoe, Marisa, Howard, Antonia, Tiller, Jane, Wallingford, Courtney, Otlowski, Margaret, Keogh, Louise, Lacaze, Paul and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2024). Australian researcher's perspectives on the Australian industry‐led moratorium on genetic tests in life insurance. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A, 194 (6) e63565, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63565

Australian researcher's perspectives on the Australian industry‐led moratorium on genetic tests in life insurance

2024

Journal Article

POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype

Maas, Ellie J., DeBortoli, Emily, Nathan, Vaishnavi, Freeman, Ned P., Mothershaw, Adam, Smit, Darren J., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren G., Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2024). POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype. Journal of Medical Genetics, 61 (9) jmg-2023-109637, 1-4. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109637

POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype

2024

Journal Article

Future implications of polygenic risk scores for life insurance underwriting

Yanes, Tatiane, Tiller, Jane, Haining, Casey M., Wallingford, Courtney, Otlowski, Margaret, Keogh, Louise, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Lacaze, Paul (2024). Future implications of polygenic risk scores for life insurance underwriting. npj Genomic Medicine, 9 (1) 25, 25. doi: 10.1038/s41525-024-00407-x

Future implications of polygenic risk scores for life insurance underwriting

2024

Journal Article

Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: predictive and presymptomatic genetic testing in adults and children

Vears, Danya F., McLean, Alison, La Spina, Chloe, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and on behalf of the Education, Ethics and Social Issues Committee of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (2024). Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: predictive and presymptomatic genetic testing in adults and children. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 27 (2), 120-127. doi: 10.1017/thg.2024.9

Human Genetics Society of Australasia position statement: predictive and presymptomatic genetic testing in adults and children

2024

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 (2024). 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), 286-294. 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

2024

Journal Article

Genetic testing for familial melanoma

Primiero, Clare A., Maas, Ellie J., Wallingford, Courtney K., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2024). Genetic testing for familial melanoma. Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, 159 (1), 34-42. doi: 10.23736/s2784-8671.23.07761-7

Genetic testing for familial melanoma

2024

Journal Article

The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence

Atkinson, Caroline, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Proctor, Martina, Lanagan, Catherine, Stevenson, Alexander, Dehkhoda, Farhad, Caole, Mary, Maas, Ellie, Ainger, Stephen, Pritchard, Antonia, Johansson, Peter, Leo, Paul, Hayward, Nicholas, Sturm, Richard, Duncan, Emma and Gabrielli, Brian (2024). The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (3) 1664, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/ijms25031664

The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence

2024

Conference Publication

Evaluating a protocol for communicating melanoma personalised risk scores: a pilot study

Wallingford, Courtney, Law, Matthew, Mothershaw, Adam, Acevedo, Astrid Rodriguez, Soyer, Hans Peter, McInerney-Leo, Aideen and Yanes, Tatiane (2024). Evaluating a protocol for communicating melanoma personalised risk scores: a pilot study. 56th Annual Conference of the European-Society-of-Human-Genetics (ESHG), Glasgow, Scotland, 10-13 June 2023. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group.

Evaluating a protocol for communicating melanoma personalised risk scores: a pilot study

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

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Genomics of paediatric inborn errors of immunity
    TRI Leading Innovations through New Collaborations Scheme
    Open grant
  • 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
  • 2021 - 2026
    To determine whether provider type affects psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in genetic testing for melanoma.
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Embedding Genomics in the Childhood Hearing Clinic
    Illumina Australia Pty Ltd
    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 - 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

    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

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    3D Total-Body Photography and Automated Tools for Melanoma Risk Assessment: Potential Utility and Validation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrating established and emerging genomic testing into clinical cancer care

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tatiane Yanes

Completed supervision

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