Paul Lacaze is an early- to mid-career scientist and emerging leader in human genomics. He is passionate about conducting patient-centred research to improve community health through advances in DNA testing. Dr Lacaze was awarded BSc in 2003 from the University of Melbourne and PhD in 2011 from the University of Edinburgh. In 2015, he was appointed as inaugural Head of Public Health Genomics at Monash University, Alfred Hospital to conduct research into the role of genetic data in public and population health. He leads genomic research for the ASPREE and STAREE studies (RCTs in >15,000 Australians), involving biobanking, longitudinal data collection, and genetic analysis. In 2019, Lacaze was awarded a Future Leader Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation. At Monash, Lacaze has established one of the first research groups in Public Health Genomics in Australia. His publications span multiple domains of human genetics, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, pharmacogenomics, ethics. Lacaze has been awarded >$8.5M in funding since 2018, including recently as Principle Investigator for one of the first competitive grants from the MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission.  He founded the Australian Genetic Non-Discrimination Working Group, and has driven efforts to achieve a moratorium on the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting (effective July 2019).

Dr Lacaze provides genomics leadership for the ASPREE and STAREE studies, recently overseeing production of one of Australia’s largest genomics datasets (13,500 targeted sequencing and genome-wide SNP analysis, 3000 WGS). This foundational genomic data resource has value across multiple domains of human genetics - and offers unique opportunities for discovery of protective genetic variants and the genetics of healthy ageing. Dr Lacaze has a broad network of national and international collaborations in human genomics and public health research, Dr Lacaze has held scientific leadership roles in both academia and industry, developing a unique set of skills, experience and collaborations to become a national leader. He regularly gives invited scientific presentations and makes media appearances related to genomic research and societal issues. 

As mid-career researcher, Dr Lacaze currently supervises two postdoctoral research fellows, two RAs, three PhD students, and one MSc student. He is a guest lecturer at The University of Melbourne and QUT and contributing to new course design at Monash University.

Dr Lacaze is an Invited Honorary Research Fellow at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Adult Genomic Medicine and regularly attends Multidisciplinary Team Meetings at adult genetics clinics. Dr Lacaze also leads a reserch program around the return of medically actionable genetic results to research participants, and their family members.

Dr Lacaze regularly works with patient groups to deliver patient-centred research and advocate for issues in Australia. This includes working with the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Network Australia, Pink Hope, Lynch Syndrome Australia and Rare Voices Australia. Lacaze founded the Australian Genetic Non-Discrimination Working Group, and on behalf of the group, provided evidence to the 2017 Parliamentary inquiry into life insurance (Canberra). This has led to a moratorium on the use of genetic test results in Australian life insurance, is now directly benefiting Australian consumers, clinicians and researchers. Lacaze was recently selected to represent the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance as an EMCR at the Science Meets Parliament event in Canberra. Lacaze serves on the Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee of Rare Voices Australia.

Dr Lacaze is a member of the Scientific & Medical Advisory Committee of Rare Voices Australia (National Peak Body for Rare Disease) and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of BC Platforms, Finland (genomic data company). He is also a member of the Bioinformatics Platform Advisory Committee, Monash University