Pictured L to R: Dr. Rebecca Symons, Dr. Alina Mueller & A/Prof Alexander Menzies
Dr. Alina Mueller is a clinician scientist at the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, specialising in Dermato-Oncology. Alina recently completed a four-week Medical Oncology observership at Melanoma Institute Australia, and so we asked her about her experience and interests.
Can you summarise your career and education history?
I am a clinician scientist, specialising in Dermato-Oncology.
Although my mother is a doctor and therefore medicine has always been a big part of my life, I originally wanted to be a scientist and decided to study biology. I enjoyed it very much, but after a few years I realised that I would miss working with patients in a pure research position, so I switched to medicine. During medical school in Munich, however, I kept my interest in science and worked on a pilot study to develop a biomarker for brain injury in newborns. After graduating, I obtained my doctorate in immunology/allergology and decided to pursue an academic career.
Why did you decide to do an observership at Melanoma Institute Australia?
I’ve always been impressed by the presentations given by people from Melanoma Institute Australia at the dermato-oncology conferences and that’s how I came into contact with MIA. I wanted to see for myself how patients are treated here and benefit from the many clinical trials that are carried out at MIA.
How / why did you get into the melanoma field?
Dermato-oncology is an integral part of dermatology training. I was fortunate enough to find two great mentors relatively early on, who are active both in basic science in the field of melanoma and skin pigmentation research and clinically in the field of early melanoma detection. As my grandfather was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma at the time, I was immediately fascinated by the field and still am today.
What are your career goals?
I plan to continue working in academia and currently split my work between 50% clinical and 50% research. My next goal is to complete my habilitation in the field of dermato-oncology. This will involve a research stay abroad, for which MIA would certainly be one of the best places to go!
What has the highlight of your experience here at Melanoma Institute Australia been?
I love the lively discussion of complex cases at the weekly MDT meetings and observing in the clinics. Visiting the different research teams has also been very interesting. It’s impressive how much research is going on at MIA!
Describe yourself in one word:
Curious.
What is your favourite thing about Australia?
The people! So far, without exception, everyone I have met from patients to professors, has been incredibly friendly and welcoming. Not to mention the fantastic nature, beaches and wildlife.
