Dr Melissa Humphries
Senior Lecturer
School of Mathematical Sciences
College of Science
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr. Melissa Humphries is a statistician – she creates, and applies, analytical tools that make sense of our world. Working in areas like forensic science, health and psychology, the goal is always to increase efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Building bridges between machines and experts, Melissa’s work aims to support experts in making decisions in an explainable way. Working at the interface between statistics and AI, Melissa's research draws meaning out of complex systems by leveraging the explainable components of statistical and physical models and elevating them using novel techniques. She strongly advocates the integration of the end-user from the outset of all research and is committed to finding impactful ways to implement science. Melissa is also a passionate advocate of equity across all areas of her work and life.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Senior Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2020 - 2023 | Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2018 - 2020 | Associate Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2016 - 2018 | Lecturer | University of Tasmania |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Award | Executive Dean's Staff Award | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2020 | Teaching Award | Special Commendation - teaching response during COVID-19 | the University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2020 | Award | Outstanding Acheivement | ACMES - Australian Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers | Australia | 1000 |
| 2014 | Award | Winner of the 3 minute thesis competition - University of Tasmania | University of Tasmania | Australia | $3,000 |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 - 2017 | University of Tasmania | Australia | PhD |
| 2007 - 2010 | University of Tasmania | Australia | Bachelor of Science (hons) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Hutchinson, M. R., Barratt, D., Johnston, C. H., Humphries, M. A., Semmler, C., Tettamanzi, G. C., . . . Rolan, P. (2025). Biomarkers to predict, prevent, and treat persistent pain: omics. Pain, 166(11S), S103-S105. |
| 2025 | Shorten, D. P., Humphries, M., Maclean, J., Yang, Y., & Roughan, M. (2025). Optimal proposal particle filters for detecting anomalies and manoeuvres from two line element data. Acta Astronautica, 228, 709-723. WoS1 |
| 2025 | Byard, R. W., & Humphries, M. (2025). The importance of outliers in forensic practice. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 109, 102810. |
| 2025 | Senarath, I. D., Weerasekara, I., Humphries, M., Chen, K. K., Farrell, S. F., & de Zoete, R. M. J. (2025). Physical exercise therapy for chronic non-specific neck pain: protocol for a meta-analysis of individual participant data.. Systematic reviews, 14(1), 43-1-43-9. |
| 2025 | Xiourouppa, A. H., Mikhin, D., Humphries, M., & Maclean, J. (2025). Theoretical Insights for Bearings-Only Tracking in Log-Polar Coordinates. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 61(4), 1-12. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2025 | Taylor, D. A., & Humphries, M. (2025). Simulating realistic short tandem repeat capillary electrophoretic signal using a generative adversarial network. Expert Systems with Applications, 280, 127536. Scopus2 WoS2 |
| 2024 | Stephenson, L., van den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., Scott, T., & Byard, R. W. (2024). Increased incidence of mixed drug toxicity deaths involving tapentadol - A forensic study. Medicine Science and the Law, 64(2), 113-120. Scopus1 WoS2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2024 | Stephenson, L., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2024). Prescribed and Diverted Methadone Toxicity in South Australia: An Update. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 45(2), 124-129. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2024 | Stephenson, L., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2024). Recent trends in an uncommon method of carbon monoxide suicide.. Forensic Sci Med Pathol, 20(3), 863-871. Scopus1 |
| 2023 | Ryan, M., Glonek, G., Tuke, J., & Humphries, M. (2023). Capturing functional connectomics using Riemannian partial least squares.. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 15 pages. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2023 | Stephenson, L., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., Nash, C., & Byard, R. W. (2023). Features of fatal pesticide ingestion in South Australia.. Med Sci Law, 64(4), 258024231197914. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Stockham, P., Partridge, E., Alfred, S., Boyle, L., Camilleri, A., Green, H., . . . Mallon, J. (2023). Characteristics of analytically confirmed gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) positive patients in the emergency department: presentation, poly-drug use, disposition and impact on intensive care resource utilisation.. Clin Toxicol (Phila), 61(4), 241-247. Scopus4 Europe PMC3 |
| 2023 | Rahmat, R. A., Humphries, M. A., Saedon, N. A., Self, P. G., & Linacre, A. M. T. (2023). Diagnostic models to predict nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA recovery from incinerated teeth.. Int J Legal Med, 137(5), 1353-1360. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Stephenson, L., van den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2023). Barbecue charcoal burning: an alternative means of carbon monoxide suicide. Pathology, 55, S90. |
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., van den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Fatal insulin overdoses among diabetics and non-diabetics in South Australia. Pathology, 54, S70. |
| 2022 | O'Donovan, S., Lewis, D., Van Den Heuvel, C., Baldock, M., Humphries, M. A., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Methamphetamine and alcohol detection in vehicle-driver fatalities in South Australia: A 10-year survey (2008-2018).. J Forensic Sci, 67(1), 257-264. Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC1 |
| 2022 | Johnson, S., Maclean, J., Vozzo, R. F., Koerber, A., & Humphries, M. A. (2022). Don't throw the student out with the bathwater: online assessment strategies your class won't hate. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 53(3), 1-12. Scopus3 WoS2 |
| 2022 | Ryan, M., Glonek, G., Humphries, M., & Tuke, J. (2022). Multivariate distance matrix regression for a manifold-valued response variable. |
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., Wills, S., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Increasing use of sodium nitrite in suicides-an emerging trend.. Forensic Sci Med Pathol, 18(3), 311-318. Scopus32 WoS31 Europe PMC22 |
| 2022 | O'Donovan, S., Humphries, M., Van Den Heuvel, C., Baldock, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Cardiac disease and driver fatality.. Forensic Sci Med Pathol, 18(3), 329-332. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., van den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Characteristic features of self-immolation in a western population. Pathology, 54(sup 1), S70. |
| 2022 | O'Donovan, S., Van Den Heuvel, C., Baldock, M., Humphries, M. A., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Fatal blunt chest trauma: an evaluation of rib fracture patterns and age.. International journal of legal medicine, 136(5), 1351-1357. Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC7 |
| 2022 | Lountain, O., Tuke, J., Brown, H., Redman, K., Wilczek, S., & Humphries, M. A. (2022). A multivariate extension to the standard 4σ criterion for comparison of forensic glass evidence.. Forensic Sci Int, 338, 1-7. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Characteristics of fatal insulin overdoses. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 18(4), 429-441. Scopus14 WoS11 Europe PMC13 |
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., Grabowski, M., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Success of Low Aromatic Fuel in Preventing Gasoline Sniffing Deaths.. The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, 43(4), 354-358. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2022 | O’Donovan, S., Van Den Heuvel, C., Baldock, M., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Seasonal variation in cutaneous seat belt markings in fatal vehicle crashes. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 56(1), 1-4. |
| 2022 | O'Donovan, S., van den Heuvel, C., Baldock, M., Humphries, M. A., & Byard, R. W. (2022). Seat belt injuries and external markings at autopsy in cases of lethal vehicle crashes.. Med Sci Law, 63(3), 258024221127845. Scopus3 WoS2 |
| 2022 | Celma, A., Bade, R., Sancho, J. V., Hernandez, F., Humphries, M., & Bijlsma, L. (2022). Prediction of Retention Time and Collision Cross Section (CCSH+, CCSH-, and CCSNa+) of Emerging Contaminants Using Multiple Adaptive Regression Splines.. J Chem Inf Model, 62(22), 5425-5434. Scopus27 WoS26 Europe PMC17 |
| 2021 | Rahmat, R. A., Humphries, M. A., Austin, J. J., Linacre, A. M. T., & Self, P. (2021). The development of a tool to predict temperature-exposure of incinerated teeth using colourimetric and hydroxyapatite crystal size data. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 135(5), 2045-2053. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1 |
| 2021 | Stephenson, L., Kenneally, M., van den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., Stockham, P., & Byard, R. W. (2021). Recent trends in barbiturate detection in medicolegal deaths. Legal Medicine, 53, 1-5. Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC4 |
| 2021 | Rahmat, R. A., Humphries, M. A., Linacre, A. M. T., Malik, A., Saedon, N. A., & Austin, J. J. (2021). Freeze-drying improves DNA yield from teeth. Forensic Science International, 326, 110938. |
| 2021 | Bade, R., Tscharke, B. J., O’Brien, J. W., Magsarjav, S., Humphries, M., Ghetia, M., . . . Gerber, C. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 Controls on the Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol in Australia. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 8(9), 799-804. Scopus35 WoS31 Europe PMC25 |
| 2020 | Rahmat, R. A. -A. R., Humphries, M., Austin, J. J., Linacre, A., Raven, M., & Self, P. (2020). Integrating spectrophotometric and XRD analyses in the investigation of burned dental remains. Forensic Science International, 310, 110236-1-110236-9. Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC3 |
| 2019 | McArthur, L., & Humphries, M. A. (2019). Multi-model mimicry for model selection according to generalised goodness-of-fit criteria. |
| 2016 | Lai, F., O'Brien, J., Thai, P., Hall, W., Chan, G., Bruno, R., . . . Mueller, J. (2016). Cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine residues in wastewater: Consumption trends (2009-2015) in South East Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 568, 803-809. Scopus72 WoS65 Europe PMC46 |
| 2016 | Humphries, M., Bruno, R., Lai, F., Thai, P., Holland, B., O'Brien, J., . . . Mueller, J. (2016). Evaluation of monitoring schemes for wastewater-based epidemiology to identify drug use trends using cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and methadone. Environmental Science and Technology, 50(9), 4760-4768. Scopus24 WoS21 Europe PMC9 |
| 2016 | Manning, E., Holland, B., Ellingsen, S., Breen, S., Chen, X., & Humphries, M. (2016). Comparison of three statistical classification techniques for maser identification. Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 33, e015-1-e015-30. Scopus2 WoS2 |
| 2015 | Humphries, M., Bruno, R., Karpievitch, Y., & Wotherspoon, S. (2015). The expectancy valence model of the iowa gambling task: Can it produce reliable estimates for individuals?. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 64-65, 17-34. Scopus7 WoS7 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Johnson, S., Maclean, J., Vozzo, R. F., Koerber, A., & Humphries, M. A. (2023). Don't throw the student out with the bathwater: online assessment strategies your class won't hate. In Takeaways from Teaching through a Pandemic (pp. 69-80). Routledge. DOI |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Stephenson, L., Van Den Heuvel, C., Humphries, M., & Byard, R. (2022). A profile of pesticide self-poisonings in South Australia over 20 years. In TOXICOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS Vol. 6 (pp. 115-116). AUSTRALIA, Newcastle: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | McCormick, K. (2022). Developing a Strong(er) Theory of Eyewitness Memory: The Selection, Verification, and Application of Mathematical Models of Identification Decisions. (PhD Thesis, University of Adelaide). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Shorten, D., Beckingham, T., Humphries, M., Fischer, R., Soar, N., Wilson, B., & Roughan, M. (2024). Fast, efficient and accurate prediction of postoperative outcomes using a small set of intraoperative time series. DOI |
| 2024 | Xiourouppa, A. H., Mikhin, D., Humphries, M., & Maclean, J. (2024). An insightful approach to bearings-only tracking in log-polar coordinates. |
| 2024 | Elborough, L., Taylor, D., & Humphries, M. (2024). A novel application of Shapley values for large multidimensional time-series data: Applying explainable AI to a DNA profile classification neural network.. DOI Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Shorten, D. P., Maclean, J., Humphries, M., Yang, Y., & Roughan, M. (2023). Optimal Proposal Particle Filters for Detecting Anomalies and Manoeuvres from Two Line Element Data. |
| Year | Title | Team | Scheme | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-27 | What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed? | Klyne D, Hodges P, Barbe M, van den Hoorn W, Suri P, Smith S, Nicholas M, Setchell J, Ferreira M, Hunter D, Toyras J, McAuley J, Smits E, Cordeiro de Costa N, Humphries M | NIH | USD2,314,282 |
| 2022-24 | KNOW - The combined CBRN alert and information systems through harnessing the power of Psychoneuroimmunology. | Hutchinson M, Semler, C, Barrett D, Barry S, Mustafa S, Humphries M | HISS | $2,999,098 |
| 2021-23 | Trusted AI Frameworks for Change and Anomaly Detection in Observed ISR Patterns. | Roughan M, Chin T, Humphries M, Mitchell L, Tuke S, Nguyen G, Whitington B | SMARTSAT CRC | $440,777 |
| 2021-23 | Improving accuracy in forensic decision making with glass. COVID Recognition Fund Scheme. | Humphries M | Covid recognition fund - Faculty Award | $15,000 |
| 2021 | A Data Science package to modernise thermal load management in South Australia. | Humphries M, Maclean J. | The University of Adelaide | $10,000 |
| 2019-23 | Scholarship Funding in D2D CRC Centre Field. | Humphries M | Data to Decisions CRC Project | $70,516 |
| 2019-23 | Recommender systems for forensic evidence triage. | Humphries M, Roughan M, Taylor | SAPOL | $27,000 |
| 2019-22 | Elemental glass database and statistical modelling with likelihood ratios in forensic investigations. | Humphries M, Tuke J, Metcalfe A, Brown H, Redman K | ANZPAA NIFS | $18,000 |
| 2019-21 | Investigating deep learning for handwriting examination writership opinions. | Humphries M, Bird C | ANZPAA NIFS | $8,000 |
| 2021 | Emergency Medical Retrieval - Improving decision making with Mathematics. | Humphries M, Boyle L | ACEMS | $6,829 |
Courses Summary
| Date | Taught | Developed | Coordinated | Course Title | Institution | Course Level/ Code | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | x | x | x | Data Literacy | University of Adelaide | MATHS 1005 | Link |
| 2020-2021 | x | x | x | Statistical Analysis and Modelling | University of Adelaide | STATS 1005 | Link |
| 2020 | x | Research Methods and Statistics | University of Adelaide | MATHS 7025 | Link | ||
| 2020 | x | x | MathTrackX | University of Adelaide | Pre-Tertiary MOOC series | Link | |
| 2019 | x | x | Time Series III | University of Adelaide | STATS 3005, 7058 | Link | |
| 2018-2019 | x | x | Mathematical Background for Biostatistics | University of Adelaide | BIOSTATS 6001EX | Link | |
| 2018-2020 | x | x | x | Statistical Practice 1 | University of Adelaide | STATS 1000, 1004, 1504 | Link |
| 2016-2017 | x | x | x | Big Decisions! Rational belief and action in an uncertain world | University of Tasmania | XBR111 | Link |
| 2011-2017 | x | x | x | Statistical Analysis Using R | University of Tasmania | KMA711 | Link |
| 2015-2017 | x | x | x | Data Handling and Statistics 2 | University of Tasmania | KMA253 | Link |
| 2014-2016 | x | x | x | First year Medicine (Statistics Component) | University of Tasmania | CAM102 |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Monitoring chronic pain using smart devices | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Miss Joan Shu Ting Lim |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Communicating Uncertainty in Forensic Science | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Nicola Brooks |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Scalable algorithms for non-linear target tracking | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Athena Helena Xiourouppa |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Scalable algorithms for non-linear target tracking | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Athena Helena Xiourouppa |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Communicating Uncertainty in Forensic Science | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Nicola Brooks |
| 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Monitoring chronic pain using smart devices | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Miss Joan Shu Ting Lim |
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Identifying and preventing the coordinated spread of misinformation | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Scott James Carnie-Bronca |
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Identifying and preventing the coordinated spread of misinformation | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Scott James Carnie-Bronca |
| 2020 | Principal Supervisor | Building a recommender system to increase successful outcomes in crime scene analysis. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Ms Louise Margaret Campbell |
| 2020 | Principal Supervisor | Large-scale social media sentiment analysis as a predictor of public behaviour in Australia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Miss Saranzaya Magsarjav |
| 2020 | Principal Supervisor | Large-scale social media sentiment analysis as a predictor of public behaviour in Australia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Saranzaya Magsarjav |
| 2020 | Principal Supervisor | Building a recommender system to increase successful outcomes in crime scene analysis. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Louise Margaret Campbell |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 - 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Small sample Rasch: simulation, estimation and evaluation of error | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Miss Christina Anne Tait |
| 2021 - 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Developing a Strong(er) Theory of Eyewitness Memory: The Selection, Verification, and Application of Mathematical Models of Identification Decisions | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Mrs Kym Michelle McCormick |
| 2021 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Emergency Departments: Predicting the Unpredictable | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Mr Michael John Ucci |
| 2020 - 2024 | Co-Supervisor | A retrospective analysis of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical substance-related coronial deaths in South Australia over 20 years | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Lilli Grace Stephenson |
| 2019 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Riemannian statistical techniques with applications in fMRI | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Matthew James Ryan |
| 2019 - 2021 | Principal Supervisor | Statistical Methods for Comparison of Forensic Glass Samples in Australia | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Mr Oliver James Lountain |
| 2018 - 2019 | Co-Supervisor | Explanatory statistical modelling of influences of demographic experience on political identity | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Mr Lachlann Bradley McArthur |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | Policy Committee | Science and Technology Australia | Australia |
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