Professor Mark Jenkins

Professor Mark Jenkins is an epidemiologist with over 25 years’ experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of studies examining the role of genetic and environmental causes of cancer. He leads the University of Melbourne’s Colorectal Cancer Unit, with a focus on the prevention and early detection of colorectal (bowel) cancer – particularly through screening participation.

Professor Jenkins holds an NHMRC Investigator grant, managing a program to reduce colorectal cancer mortality and morbidity rates through increasing Australia’s low participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. He contributes to national screening guidelines and is studying the genetic and lifestyle factors that lead to bowel cancer.

Part of this research includes developing personalised risk models to identify those most in need of targeted prevention. He also leads the Colon Cancer Family Registry Cohort, an NIH-funded international collaboration, and leads a worldwide study of Cancer Risks for Lynch Syndrome.

Professor Jenkins is a member of the Clinical Advisory Group for Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.