Juliet French
Professor | Program Director of Cancer Research |
Group Leader of Functional Genetics
juliet.french@qimrberghofer.edu.au
CAREER HISTORY
Professor Juliet French is the Program Director of Cancer Research and Head of the Functional Genetics Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer. She completed her PhD in 2003 at the Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland and continued her post-doctoral studies in the School of Molecular Biosciences. She moved to QIMR Berghofer as a Team Head in 2013 and was promoted to Group Leader in 2018 where she heads a research group aimed at understanding how genetic variants in non-coding regions of the genome influence cancer risk and progression.
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
2023-current: Program Director of Cancer Research, QIMR Berghofer
2013-current: Group Leader Functional Genetics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
2018-2023: Deputy Coordinator, Genetic & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer
2003-2012: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland
ORCID NUMBER
RESEARCHER ID
CURRENT AREA OF RESEARCH
Professor Juliet French is a molecular biologist and Head of the Functional Genetics Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer. Her research focuses on understanding how genetic variants in non-coding regions of the genome influence cancer risk and progression. Until recently, the genetic basis of cancer has only been examined in coding regions, which accounts for less than two percent of the human genome. However, noncoding regions are littered with functional elements such as transcriptional enhancers and long non-coding RNAs. The laboratory focuses on how inherited variants identified through genome wide association studies (GWAS) and cancer specific mutations identified through whole gene sequencing (WGS) can alter these non-coding elements to promote the development of cancer. The ultimate aim is to use genetics to pinpoint the key genes and pathways implicated in the development of cancer to identify new therapeutic opportunities.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2013-current: American Society of Human Genetics
2012-current: Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for research into Familial Breast Cancer
AWARDS RECOGNITION
2019: Isabel and Roderic Allpass Fellow
2012-2016: NBCF Early Career Fellowship
2006-2010: NBCF Post-doctoral Training Fellowship
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2003: Doctor of Philosophy, IMB, University of Queensland
1997: Bachelor of Science (Honours), IMB, University of Queensland