Work History

Current QIMR Berghofer appointment

• 2018 – current: Group Leader, Functional Cancer Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer
• 2018 – current: NHMRC Senior Research Fellow
• 2016 – current: Honorary Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland

Previous appointments

• 2013 – 2017: Team Head, Functional Cancer Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer
• 2010 – 2012: NBCF Early Career Fellow and Lecturer, The University of Queensland, Australia
• 2005 – 2008: Research Officer, Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Institute, London, UK
• 2002 – 2004: Research Officer, The University of Queensland, Australia

ORCID number

• 0000-0001-7428-4139

Researcher ID

• A-4980-2011

Current Area of Research

Associate Professor Stacey Edward’s research focuses on understanding how genetic variation contributes to cancer risk and progression. Her laboratory is particularly interested in translating the findings of cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS), particularly breast cancer. This includes identification of functional risk variants, connecting these variants to their target genes and understanding how these genes contribute to cancer development. Identification of the key genes and the pathways responsible for risk will increase our understanding of the biology underpinning cancer aetiology and provide key targets suitable for future drug repositioning or drug development. These outcomes will pave the way for future clinical trials for cancer prevention or treatment.

Research Highlights

• Using Capture Hi-C chromatin interaction technology we have identified more than 600 candidate breast cancer genes.
• Using a targeted RNA sequencing approach we have identified more than 3000 long non-coding RNAs, many of which may be involved in driving breast cancer development.
• Identification and evaluation of two novel long-noncoding RNAs that contribute to breast cancer through modulation of DNA repair pathways.
• Elucidation of the causal variants, target genes and underlying molecular mechanism at 15 breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer risk regions.

Professional Memberships

• 2018 – current: American Association for Cancer Research
• 2011 – current: American Society of Human Genetics
• 2008 – current: Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Familial Breast Cancer
• 2012 – 2016: Lorne Cancer Conference Organising Committee

Awards Recognition

• 2018 – 2022: NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship.
• 2010 – 2015: National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) Early Career Fellowship.
• 2009 – 2012: University of Queensland ResTeach Award.
• 2005 – 2009: NHMRC CJ Martin Overseas Fellowship.
• 1999 – 2001: Queensland Cancer Fund PhD Scholarship.
• 1999 – 2001: John Earnshaw Scholarship (highest ranked PhD candidate).

Educational Background

• 1998 – 2002: PhD, The University of Queensland
• 1994 – 1997: BSc (Honours), The Queensland University of Technology