Sunshine Coast researcher Dr Elke Hacker, a world-leading postdoctoral researcher in skin cancer at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Queensland University of Technology, won the prestigious Sue Wickenden Innovation in Science award at the 2020 WiT Awards.

Over the past 10 years, she has expanded her research from invitro lab models to human clinical studies, which have generated results that improve understanding of the relationship between sun exposure, genetic-susceptibility, and skin cancer risk.

Dr Hacker’s extensive research portfolio has led to the development of various smartphone apps and other devices that reliably collect UVR exposure data to measure sunburn risk, ensure sunscreen supplies in public locations are replenished and remind people when it is time to take precautions.

Through various partnerships, Dr Hacker continues to utilise technology to make headway in preventing skin cancer, a prominent issue experienced by many Australians.

Dr Elke’s extensive research portfolio has led to the development of various smartphone apps that reliably collect UVR exposure data to measure sunburn risk.

Read her story in the Sunshine Valley Gazette.

@October 2020