Antonia Pritchard

Antonia Pritchard is an Associate Professor and Interim Head of the Division of Biomedical Sciences at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), where she leads the Melanoma Research Group. She holds a B.Med.Sc with first-class honors in cellular and molecular biology and a Ph.D. in Psychiatry, focusing on the genetics of Alzheimer's disease. Her research is centered on melanoma, with a focus on its genetic susceptibility, genomic alterations, and immunological control across various subtypes including skin, acral, uveal, and mucosal melanomas.

Her research interests include the identification of genetic predispositions to familial melanoma, the role of genes such as POT1 and ACD in melanoma development, and the immune system's interaction with tumor cells, particularly through T-cell and B-cell responses. She investigates how melanoma cells evade immune detection and how neoantigens can be predicted using exome sequencing for potential immunotherapies.

Dr. Pritchard's recent publications, including high-impact studies in Nature, Nature Genetics, and Nature Communications, reflect a strong trend in cancer genomics, mutational signatures, and immunogenomics. Her work integrates advanced genomic technologies to understand melanoma biology and improve diagnostics and therapies.

She is actively involved in multiple research projects as Principal Investigator, including studies on familial melanoma, immune responses, and diagnostic technologies like the BioCaptis device for cell-free DNA capture. Her work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and well-being.

Dr. Pritchard supervises research activities and collaborates internationally, notably as a Visiting Scientist at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia. She is engaged in public outreach through invited talks, media appearances, and participation in scientific conferences and panels, including the Women in STEM initiative.