Interview with Dr Rachel Teh
 | Dr Rachel Teh's research focuses on improving melanoma diagnosis. In particular, exploring the use of a surgery-free procedure (scarless biopsy) to diagnose melanoma as early as possible. Her PI and supervisors are Professor Pablo Fernández-Peñas and Dr Ali Azimi. |
What is the main focus of your postdoctoral research, and what impact could it have in your field?
My research focuses on improving melanoma diagnosis. In particular, I am exploring the use of a surgery-free procedure (scarless biopsy) to diagnose melanoma as early as possible. Simply, I use tape to strip the surface of the skin (without any visible damage or pain) to collect samples. Using advanced technology (mass spectrometry), I can identify potential protein biomarkers for melanoma. The goal is to develop an accessible and objective diagnostic test for clinicians and patients, particularly for rural and remote Australians, to detect melanoma early, empowering them with the tools to proactively manage their skin health.
How does your current work build on or differ from your PhD research?
My current work is an expansion of my PhD research. During my PhD, I investigated the proteins of melanoma at first looking at biopsy samples and then applying similar methods to tape-stripped samples. At the time, patient recruitment was limited to patients at very high risk of melanoma in 3 specialised clinics, and the sample size was small, largely due to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the results were highly promising, some of which have been published, and led to the expansion of this project into the ACEMID consortium.
What methods or approaches are you using that are central to your project?
My project uses several complementary approaches. For one, tape stripping (scarless biopsy), where we collect samples in without surgery from the surface of the skin. Then, I utilise mass spectrometry to identify large amounts of proteins in the samples. And finally, bioinformatics and machine learning, to develop predictive models capable of differentiating melanoma from benign moles.
What challenges have you encountered in your research, and how have you addressed them?
A key challenge in my research has been developing models that move beyond the current gold standard for melanoma diagnosis—biopsy and histopathology. For instance, when building predictive models, the accuracy of our sample labels relies on pathology assessments, and any limitations in histopathology could propagate errors into the models. To address this, we collaborate closely with expert pathologists and clinicians and integrate additional modalities such as dermoscopy and machine learning, enabling us to mitigate the limitations of histopathology and develop more robust, independent diagnostic tools.
The second challenge is collecting enough samples to develop a diagnostic test. Collaborating with ACEMID has opened my research to a big network of research nodes and the melanoma community. Patients are very interested in this project, and most sites will be collecting samples soon.
Lastly, funding is always a challenge. The ACEMID community is full of researchers and clinicians who are happy to donate their time, but we need costly consumables and equipment. We are always on the lookout for grants and financial support. We recently were awarded an important grant, but we still need more funding.
What results or progress are you most proud of so far?
I am particularly proud of the promising findings from my PhD related to the scarless biopsy technique. Along with my supervisors and team, we are working to develop this into an accessible tool for underserved communities, which is what excites me most. I am also grateful to be part of the team that collaborates with the ACEMID consortium, which has allowed us to expand the study nationally, validate our findings across multiple sites and all skin types, and integrate complementary expertise, strengthening the rigour and impact of the research.
What’s next for your research, are there any exciting directions or unanswered questions you are pursuing?
We were recently awarded a significant grant that will provide the financial resources we need to continue our work and begin validating and implementing the scarless biopsy technique in clinical settings. An exciting next step is expanding into rural clinics and developing the technique into an easy-to-use kit for general practitioners—or even for self-collection by patients.
What are your career aspirations over the next 5 years?
Alongside continuing my research, I aim to develop my skills as an educator and leader in my field. I greatly enjoyed demonstrating for students during my PhD and I am eager to develop a unit of study on proteomic applications in the clinic with the goal of inspiring the next generation of scientists to pursue innovative research and lead efforts to improve and provide equitable health outcomes.
