University’s first Chair of Precision Medicine joins SCS

Professor Melissa Southey

Internationally renowned Molecular Geneticist Professor Melissa Southey has joined the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) as Monash University’s first Chair of Precision Medicine.

With a track record in both molecular diagnostic pathology and molecular genetic research, Professor Southey has focused on characterizing the genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for cancer predisposition and progression, including familial aggregation of cancers. She has amassed 450 publications since her first publication in 1990, including 420 peer-reviewed journal papers. Professor Southey, a founding scientific fellow of The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, is also a fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia.  Since 2000, she has headed the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory in the Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne.

Based on level 7 of the Translational Research Facility, Professor Southey and her team will continue and extend their international research program in Precision Medicine at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

Professor Southey and her diverse and dynamic team of researchers will extend the reach of MHTP research programs into Precision Medicine through targeting health interventions to those who are most likely to benefit, underpinned by a better understanding of molecular diversity.

“This is an immensely exciting phase for my team and for the discipline of Precision Medicine," Professor Southey said. 

"Our vision is to integrate evidence, including “big” data (not exclusively genomic data), health economics and behavioral and social sciences to deliver Precision Medicine."

Professor Southey will also be available to train, mentor and supervise Honours, Masters and PhD students at SCS.