Rate Professor Stephen Leslie

Professional Summary: Professor Stephen Leslie

Professor Stephen Leslie is a distinguished academic and researcher at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a global reputation in statistical genetics and population genetics. His work bridges mathematics, statistics, and genetics to address complex questions in human health and evolutionary biology.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Leslie has a robust academic foundation in mathematics and statistics, complemented by advanced training in genetics:

• DPhil in Statistics, University of Oxford, UK
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), Australian National University, Australia

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Leslie's research focuses on statistical genetics, population genetics, and the application of computational methods to understand human genetic variation. His interests include:

• Developing statistical tools to analyze large-scale genomic data
• Investigating the genetic basis of complex diseases
• Studying human population structure and ancestry, particularly in relation to health outcomes

Career History and Appointments

Professor Leslie has held numerous prestigious positions across leading institutions:

• Professor of Statistical Genetics, School of BioSciences and School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Melbourne, Australia (current)
• Group Leader, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia (current)
• Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford, UK (earlier in career)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Leslie has been recognized for his contributions to statistical genetics and genomics:

• Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship, awarded for outstanding mid-career researchers
• Woodward Medal in Science and Technology, University of Melbourne, for exceptional research contributions

Key Publications

Professor Leslie has authored numerous high-impact papers in leading scientific journals. Selected key publications include:

• Leslie, S., et al. (2015). 'The fine-scale genetic structure of the British population.' Nature, 519, 309-314.
• Leslie, S., et al. (2016). 'Genetic ancestry and population structure in the United States.' American Journal of Human Genetics, 98, 1066-1077.
• Leslie, S., et al. (2013). 'A statistical framework for fine-scale ancestry inference.' PLoS Genetics, 9(5), e1003483.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Leslie’s pioneering work in statistical genetics has significantly advanced the understanding of human genetic diversity and its implications for health. His development of novel statistical methods, such as those for fine-scale ancestry mapping, has been widely adopted in genomic research. His studies on population structure have provided critical insights into the genetic history of populations, influencing fields ranging from medical genetics to anthropology.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Leslie is actively involved in the academic community through various roles:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on genomics and statistical genetics
• Contributor to editorial boards and peer review for leading journals in genetics and statistics
• Member of advisory committees for research initiatives in human genomics