I am a medical doctor and cancer genetic epidemiologist completing (in 2022) my PhD in statistical genetics (cancer genetics) at Statistical Genetics Lab, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia, and at the Centre of Genomics and Personalized Health, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Prior to my PhD, I was awarded a Master of Public Health by the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery by Makerere University, Uganda.
As a medical doctor and cancer genetic epidemiologist, my research interests stem from my PhD work “Exploring the genetics of skin cancers.” My current research focuses on using novel statistical genetics and bioinformatics approaches to identify genes, genetic markers and drug targets for skin cancer risk, survival and treatment response. This includes both keratinocyte cancer and melanoma. I am also heavily involved in studying both clinical/environmental and genetic risk factors (polygenic risk scores) for stratification of skin cancer risk in organ transplant recipients who have such a terrific risk, in order to offer them better and precision cancer care. In some of my recent work I am exploring how to translate polygenic risk scores to be clinically useful in guiding clinical management of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients.
I am delighted to join the AACR-Associate Member Council, and I hope through my leadership and experience I will be beneficial to fellow early career researchers and other cancer researchers across the globe.