Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis Claims Prestigious Universities Australia Award

The Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID) has been recognised with the Problem Solver Award at the 2025 Shaping Australia Awards presented by Universities Australia. This accolade highlights the collaborative efforts of leading Australian universities and health institutions, including Alfred Health, in advancing melanoma research. Led by the University of Queensland (UQ) in partnership with Monash University and the University of Sydney, ACEMID's work sets new global benchmarks for early detection of melanoma, Australia's third most commonly diagnosed cancer.

The award, announced on 25 February 2026, celebrates ACEMID's innovative use of 3D total body photography (TBP) and artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise skin cancer screening. With over 9,000 participants enrolled in its cohort study, the initiative is building the world's largest melanoma database, promising significant improvements in diagnosis accuracy and patient outcomes.

Understanding ACEMID: A National Research Network

ACEMID represents a groundbreaking collaboration across 15 research sites in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Hosted at major hospitals and led by academic experts, the network integrates dermatology, epidemiology, AI, genetics, and pathology to tackle melanoma comprehensively. The University of Queensland serves as the national lead, with Monash University managing Victorian sites and the University of Sydney overseeing New South Wales operations.

• Queensland sites: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Herston Imaging Research Facility, Cairns Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Mt Isa Hospital
• New South Wales sites: Melanoma Institute Australia, Westmead Hospital, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Orange
• Victoria sites: The Alfred Hospital, Skin Health Institute, Wonthaggi Hospital, Bendigo Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

This multi-site approach ensures diverse participant recruitment, reflecting Australia's varied population and risk profiles.

Alfred Health's Pivotal Role in the Victorian Hub

Alfred Health stands as the Victorian base for ACEMID, supporting nearly 1,000 participants through its Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre. Professor Victoria Mar, Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred and Chair of the ACEMID Executive, leads the effort. The centre utilises the Vectra WB360 total-body 3D scanner, funded by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, to capture high-resolution images for AI training.

"With this data, we'll be able to train the technology with next-generation diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, allowing us to detect and predict skin cancers earlier over time," Prof Mar stated. This positions Alfred Health at the forefront of translational research, bridging clinical care and academic innovation.

Melanoma Burden in Australia: Why Early Detection Matters

Australia has one of the highest melanoma incidence rates globally, with an estimated 17,443 new cases in 2025 alone—10% of all cancers. In 2021, 15,034 cases were diagnosed, predominantly in males. Mortality stands at around 1,500 deaths annually, though five-year survival is 94% when detected early. Regional areas face higher risks, with Victorians 51% more likely to be diagnosed.

Risk factors include UV exposure, fair skin, family history, and multiple moles. Traditional 2D dermoscopy misses subtle changes; ACEMID's 3D TBP addresses this by mapping the entire body surface.

The Technology Behind the Breakthrough: 3D Total Body Photography

3D Total Body Photography (TBP), using devices like the Vectra WB360, captures 92 high-resolution images in seconds, creating a 3D model of the entire skin surface. This allows tracking of thousands of lesions over time, detecting changes invisible to the naked eye. Studies show TBP sensitivity for melanoma at 83% and specificity at 63%, outperforming conventional methods in high-risk patients.

Step-by-step process:

1. Patient stands in booth for automated scan (under 2 minutes).
2. AI software segments lesions, assigns IDs, tracks changes.
3. Clinicians review flagged anomalies for biopsy.
4. Longitudinal data integrates with genomics for risk prediction.

This non-invasive tool reduces unnecessary biopsies while prioritising threats.

Photo by Eriksson Luo on Unsplash

AI Integration: PanDerm and Beyond

ACEMID leverages AI models like PanDerm, pretrained on 2 million+ skin images, boosting diagnostic accuracy by 11% for clinicians and 17% for non-dermatologists. PanDerm excels in early-stage melanoma detection (10.2% better than experts alone). Combined with 3D TBP, it enables automated triage, with competitions like ISIC 2024 validating superior performance.

The cohort study protocol outlines prospective monitoring of 15,000 participants, assessing TBP's impact on detection rates and biopsies.

Cohort Study Milestones and Preliminary Findings

Launched in 2021 with NHMRC funding, the ACEMID Cohort Study has enrolled over 9,000 high-risk participants across risk strata. Early data from 5,400 (2024) shows efficient lesion tracking, with publications in BMJ Open detailing protocols. Preliminary results indicate improved melanoma yield and reduced benign excisions.

By mid-2026, full enrollment will enable robust AI training, predicting progression risks via multi-omics integration.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Real-World Impact

Prof H. Peter Soyer (UQ): "ACEMID is revolutionising melanoma screening." Prof Mar emphasises interdisciplinary power: "Combining imaging, AI, genomics... gives us our best shot at beating melanoma." Patients report reduced anxiety from precise monitoring.

Challenges include equitable access in rural areas, addressed via regional sites like Mt Isa and Wagga Wagga.

Implications for Australian Higher Education and Research

This award underscores universities' role in national health challenges. Collaborations like ACEMID exemplify Group of Eight impact, fostering PhD training in AI-dermatology. It positions Australia as a leader, attracting funding and talent.Explore research jobs in higher ed.

Future Outlook: Towards Zero Melanoma Deaths

ACEMID aims for prognostic tools identifying aggressive melanomas, integrating wearables and genomics. Expansion to non-melanoma skin cancers planned. With rising incidence, such innovations are vital for Australia's sun-exposed population.

For careers in this field, opportunities abound in dermatology research and AI health tech. Check research assistant advice or Australian uni jobs.

Photo by Craig Wang on Unsplash

Call to Action: Join the Fight Against Melanoma

Universities drive solutions like ACEMID. Aspiring researchers, visit higher-ed-jobs, university-jobs, or rate-my-professor for insights. Engage via comments below.