About
Professor Mark Shackleton is a Research Professor in the Department of Medicine at Monash University and Director of Oncology at Alfred Health. He leads the Cancer Development and Treatment Laboratory within the School of Translational Medicine. His clinical expertise focuses on skin cancer, particularly melanoma, and his research spans cancer biology, oncogenic signaling pathways, and clinical trial innovation. Prof Shackleton holds a PhD from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and has held roles at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He has received major awards including the Victorian Premier’s Award for Medical Research (2006) and the Australian Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year (2012).
Research interests include melanoma heterogeneity, therapeutic targeting of signaling pathways, and telemedicine-driven clinical trials. He leads projects like the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology and the SEACRAFT-2 Phase 3 trial for NRAS mutant melanoma. Over 90 publications and 36 active or completed projects highlight his contributions to oncology. Key collaborations involve institutions like the University of Michigan and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium.
Prof Shackleton’s work addresses UN SDG 3 (Good Health) through advancements in cancer diagnostics, treatment, and equitable access to clinical trials. His lab develops novel drug combinations (e.g., darovasertib + crizotinib) and explores biomarkers like tumor mutational burden to improve patient outcomes. Recent studies focus on vision preservation in uveal melanoma and reducing disparities in rural clinical trial participation.
