Interview with Fatemeh Mehdikhani
 | Fatemeh Mehdikhani a PhD student at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR), University of Sydney. In her PhD research project, tape stripping is used as a non-invasive biopsy method to collect patient samples, analyse protein profiles, and combine this information with imaging data using machine learning to help detect melanoma at an early stage. Her PhD is supervised by Dr Ali Azimi, Prof. Pablo Fernández-Peñas, Dr. Rachel Teh, and Dr. Zhaoxiang Cai. |
What experiences or background influenced your decision to pursue a PhD?
During my master’s studies at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran, I worked on breast cancer, which introduced me to how molecular changes in cells can lead to cancer. Seeing how many people still die from cancer despite extensive research made this field feel urgent and meaningful to me, and this became very personal when my grandfather passed away from the disease. I believe that earlier diagnosis could improve patient outcomes, and I am hopeful that continued research can lead to better prevention and treatment. These experiences motivated me to pursue a PhD focused on identifying protein biomarkers for the early detection of melanoma, a common and serious skin cancer in Australia.
What is the focus of your PhD research?
I am working on early detection of melanoma. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing melanoma is a biopsy, which is invasive, stressful, and uncomfortable for patients. Detecting melanoma early is very important because it allows clinicians to treat patients before the cancer becomes harder to manage. In my study, I use a non-invasive method called adhesive tape stripping to collect samples from patients, then analyse the proteins and combine them with imaging data using machine learning to help predict melanoma at an early stage.
What has been the most rewarding part of your PhD journey so far?
The most rewarding part of my PhD is being able to apply non-invasive proteomics and AI in my research. These tools give me the opportunity to work with the latest technological advancements and stay at the forefront of my field.
What challenges have you faced during your PhD, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced during my PhD is finding sufficient number of melanoma patients to participate in my study. Currently, I am collecting samples at Westmead Hospital and collaborate with other sites (Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, University of Queensland, and Alfred Health, Melbourne, University of Monash) to receiving samples, but it would be very helpful to have access to patients from other hospitals as well to gain more melanoma samples.
What skills have you gained during your PhD that you didn’t expect to develop?
From a technical perspective, I have learned proteomics and become familiar with using mass spectrometry, which I did not expect to work with so extensively. I have also developed strong data analysis skills, which were challenging at first but are now an important part of my research. Beyond technical skills, my PhD has helped me build personal qualities such as hard work and resilience. As an international student, working with patients has also improved my communication skills and helped me better understand Australian culture.
Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers, locally or internationally?
Yes, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from the University of Queensland and Monash University through the ACEMID group. These collaborations have supported patient sample collection at Princess Alexandra Hospital and Alfred Health. This experience has helped me understand the value of teamwork across institutions in advancing research.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve received during your PhD that really stuck with you?
One piece of advice that has really stayed with me is to be patient and accept mistakes. When I am preparing or running my samples, things sometimes go wrong, which can be stressful. My supervisor reminded me that mistakes and unexpected results are a normal part of research, and that patience is essential for progress. This advice has helped me manage stress and stay focused on my responsibilities.
