LIVER CANCER BIOMARKERS, RISK PREDICTION & PROGRESSION
With
Dr Rodrigo Carlessi
Senior Research Fellow & Lead of Cancer Genomics Group,
Curtin Medical Research Institute,
Curtin University,
Perth, Western Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Perth, Australia | August 2025
Dr. Rodrigo Carlessi is an expert in Cancer Genomics and Molecular Biology, with an extensive track record in liver cancer research. He leads the Cancer Genomics Group within the Liver Disease and Regeneration Laboratory at the Curtin Medical Research Institute. He has an impressive publication record, with 43 manuscripts that have collectively garnered over 2,680 citations. His research leverages cutting-edge genomics and transcriptomics technologies, as well as long-read DNA sequencing, to explore mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop therapeutic targets in liver disease and cancer.
Dr Carlessi graduated from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, with a B.Sc. in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2007, then joined the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, where he obtained a M.Sc. from the Department of Molecular Genetics in 2011. He further obtained a PhD in Molecular Endocrinology from UFRGS in 2016, prior to joining Curtin University in Western Australia as a postdoc in 2016. He undertook postdoctoral training in pancreatic beta cell biology and received awards from the Australian Diabetes Society and the Heart Foundation. In 2019 he was recruited to start and lead the Cancer Genomics group in the Liver Disease & Regeneration Laboratory. With nine years of postdoctoral experience, Dr Carlessi has held a prestigious Cancer Council of Western Australia Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from 2021 to 2024.
His recent work led to a groundbreaking discovery in liver cancer risk prediction, earning him national and international recognition, following publications in top tier journals including Cell Genomics, Science Advances and Nature between 2023-2025. This achievement has been highlighted by invitations to present at prominent events, including Oz Single Cell, the Australian Liver Cancer Experts Gallipoli Meeting, WYMM Melbourne 2025, the First International Conference of Liver Pathobiology: From Bench to Bedside in Crete (2023), and the Thomas Ashworth Symposium 2025. His work has also catalysed collaborations with prestigious global institutions, such as The University of Edinburgh, the University of California San Diego, Monash University, and the University of New South Wales.
Currently, Dr. Carlessi focuses on discovering novel biomarkers and developing innovative approaches to assess risk and monitor disease progression in liver cancer patients. Additionally, he is pioneering RNA therapy technologies to target oncogenic pathways, paving the way for the next generation of liver cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Source: Supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0038-7391
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Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism
Assoc Prof Jack is passionate about the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, with diverse research areas including the impacts of family friendly workplace initiatives, screening and management of thyroid disorders in infants and children. She supports her First Nations colleagues on Indigenous-led research projects funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, aiming to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Children. Through her clinical and academic roles, Assoc Prof Jack hopes to make a positive difference to the health and well-being of children and their families.
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Behavioural science in cancer screening, control and communication
Dr Dodd has an established international reputation as a behavioural scientist in cancer control and communication. Since completing her PhD in 2016, Dr Dodd has been awarded a three-year University of Sydney Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2018-2021) and a three-year Research Fellowship at The Daffodil Centre (current). Dr Dodd is the co-chair of the ‘Strengthening and optimising approaches to cancer prevention, screening, and early detection’ hub at The Daffodil Centre (with more than 130 staff and students).
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CASE STUDY: Transforming surgical waitlist into a ‘preparation list’
The DIAMONDS initiative aims to transform the surgical waitlist into a “preparation list,” enabling healthcare professionals to optimise patient care in the months leading up to elective surgery starting at pre-admission phase.
Patients are will be able to complete pre-admission forms online, receive timely updates, and access educational resources to ensure thorough preparation. This will allow staff to spend more time with patients.
