Professor David Whiteman’s hunt for answers about skin cancer has meant criss-crossing Queensland in an old Ford Falcon, taking skin samples from people in caravan parks, workplaces and homes.
“About 90 percent said, ‘Yeah, no worries’,” Professor Whiteman recalled in a special podcast for QIMR Berghofer.
“You’d never get that approved the same way today.”
Now deputy director for the Brisbane-based medical research institute, Professor Whiteman is one of the world’s top cancer epidemiologists, leading research into how genetics and the environment shape cancer risk.
In the podcast series, created to commemorate QIMR Berghofer’s 80 years of medical research in Queensland, he recalls his journey at the Institute which began in 1993 as a PhD student under skin cancer pioneer Professor Adele Green.
“She was fiercely intelligent and set incredibly high standards,” Professor Whiteman said.
“You just wanted to prove yourself worthy of being in her group.”
Back then, participant recruitment meant letters and stamps.
“A letter on QIMR letterhead felt important, like a letter from the Queen,” he recalled.
Professor Whiteman said his career had taken unexpected turns, including stepping in as acting director when COVID-19 hit in early 2020.
“We were fortunate to have infectious disease experts and global contacts, so we were ahead of the curve,” he said.
“It was incredibly unifying. Everyone asked, ‘What can I do to help?’”
Looking ahead, Professor Whiteman sees artificial intelligence reshaping research.
“AI has enormous potential, but I hope there’s always a place for human brains,” he said.
Three decades on from those first melanoma studies, Professor Whiteman is still driven by the same mission.
“There’s so much more to learn about cancer,” he said.
“That’s what keeps me going.”
Access the full podcast on the QIMR Berghofer website.
