Michael De Ieso

Dr Michael De Ieso

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Michael De Ieso is an early-career researcher (ECR) with a passion for investigating smarter ways to treat hormone receptor-positive cancers, including breast, prostate, and bladder cancer.

In 2019, Dr De Ieso earned a PhD in cancer biology at the University of Adelaide, under the mentorship of Prof Andrea Yool. He investigated the effect of pharmacologically targeting membrane-bound water channels called aquaporins to reduce the motility of aggressive cancer cells. This work laid the foundation for further exploration into the therapeutic potential of aquaporin modulation in glioblastoma and other solid cancers.

After a highly productive PhD, he commenced postdoctoral training at Duke University in North Carolina USA, under the mentorship of Prof Dan Stamer. Dr De Ieso’s research underpinned a grant-funded project in the Stamer lab, investigating the role of the membrane-bound caveolin-1 (CAV1) protein in regulating intraocular pressure, and how polymorphisms at the CAV1/2 gene loci impart increased risk for primary open-angle glaucoma. Despite the shift in research focus, he produced strong postdoctoral research output, including 4 award-winning presentations and 13 peer-reviewed publications. Notably, his promotion to Research Scientist in the fourth year of postdoctoral training allowed him to gain experience in managing biotechnology company research contracts for the Stamer Laboratory.

Dr De Ieso was recruited back to Australia in August 2023, where he joined the Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories at the University of Adelaide under the mentorship of Prof Wayne Tilley (Director), Associate Prof Theresa Hickey (Head of Breast Cancer), and Dr Amy Dwyer (Group Leader, Solid Tumour Biology). This move marked a return to his passion for cancer research, aligning with his career goals and leveraging his diverse research experiences. In late 2023, Dr De Ieso was awarded the Mary Overton & RAH Early Career Fellowship (2024-2026; $321,247) and the Adelaide Medical School Building Research Leaders Award (2024; $100,000) to investigate a novel approach to treating prostate and bladder cancers by targeting the androgen receptor.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Adelaide
    2022 - 2023 Research Scientist Duke University
    2019 - 2022 Postdoctoral Research Associate Duke University
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2016 - 2018 Flinders University Australia Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education)
    2015 - 2019 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2014 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Honours Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences with First Class Honours
    2011 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences
  • Research Interests

Principal Investigator: Mary Overton & RAH Early Career Fellowship Harnessing selective androgen receptor modulators to treat prostate and bladder cancers (2024-2026; $321,247)

Principal Investigator: Adelaide Medical School Building Research Leaders Scheme Exploration of the androgen receptor as a target therapy for bladder cancer (2024; $100,000)

BIOL 1052 – Online Tutor UO Foundations of Human Biology 1, University of South Australia, 2017-2018

EDUC 1014 – Course Coordinator Preparation for the Study of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, 2016-2018

ANAT SC 1102 – Casual Tutor Human Biology 1A, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018

ANAT SC 1103 – Casual Tutor Human Biology 1B, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018

PATHOL 2200 – Casual Tutor Biology of Disease II, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018

PHYSIOL 2520 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Physiology IIB, University of Adelaide, 2015-2016

HLTH 1005 – Casual Tutor Principles of Human Health and Disease, University of Adelaide, 2015-2016

NURSING 1006 – Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) Tutor Microbiology & Infection Control, University of Adelaide, 2016

NURSING 1005 – Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) Tutor Biology for Nursing Practice, University of Adelaide, 2016

ANAT SC 2109 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Biology & Development of Human Tissues, University of Adelaide, 2014

ANAT SC 2500 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Cells & Tissues II, University of Adelaide, 2014

  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2023 - ongoing Member Mother's Day Classic SA Organising Committee Mother's Day Classic Australia
  • Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate
  • Email: michael.deieso@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences

Connect With Me
External Profiles