We are pleased to celebrate the graduation of Chantal Rutjes, who has officially been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from The University of Queensland after four years of dedicated research.
Chantal’s PhD focused on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and 3D total-body photography in melanoma risk assessment. Her research examined the clinical utility and validation of AI-based tools designed to help identify skin lesions suspicious for melanoma, including the assessment of lesion changes over time and dermatoscopic features. She also contributed to the development of an automated method for skin colour assessment, with the aim of improving overall melanoma risk evaluation. Together, this work helps address whether such technologies are accurate, add value, and are feasible to implement in clinical workflows.
During her candidature, Chantal presented her research at national and international conferences and published two peer-reviewed articles arising from her PhD, marking key academic milestones.
Alongside her academic achievements, Chantal navigated several major life events during her PhD, including getting married and becoming a mother to two children. She credits the guidance and support of her supervisory team, Professor H. Peter Soyer, Dr Clare Primiero, Dr Dilki Tharaka Jayasinghe, Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo, and Dr Brigid Betz-Stablein for helping her through this demanding and rewarding period.
Chantal is looking ahead to the next chapter of her career and will continue at The University of Queensland as a postdoctoral researcher within her research group at the UQ Frazer Institute.
Congratulations to Dr Chantal on this outstanding achievement.
