Dr. Margaret Simonian
What is your current position and location?
I have served as a Research Scientist at Macquarie University in Australia, a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Neurology at Harbor–UCLA (LA BioMed) Research Institute, and for many years as a Research/ Project Scientist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. My research focuses on applying proteomics, proteogenomics, and radioproteomics to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases/ cancers.
How did you get started in the field of proteomics?
I was first introduced to proteomics during my Master’s by Research at Macquarie University, where the term “proteomics” was first coined, and was rapidly emerging and actively being pioneered. I applied proteomics to study Queensland Unknown disease to identify disease resistance markers. These novel research findings have been implemented by the NSW Dept of Primary Industries in breeding programs. Inspired by the potential of proteomics in medical applications, I went on to incorporate proteomics approaches into my PhD research to identify protein targets for Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) vascular therapy post radiosurgery. This study was the first worldwide to employ proteomics in AVM study and led to numerous publications and continues today at Macquarie University.
I subsequently extended my work into postdoctoral research and beyond at UCLA, where I studied brain, prostate, and liver tumours, expanding my expertise into proteogenomics and, more recently, radioproteomics to enhance and improve diagnostic accuracy and support personalised treatment strategies for cancer patients undergoing radiological treatments.
What does being a member of HUPO mean to you?
I have been a member of HUPO for many years as well as HUPO’s HPP. The first HUPO conference I attended was in Sydney, Australia, in 2010. It’s being part of a global community that shares knowledge and research data. HUPO connects me with proteomics researchers worldwide. Its conferences provide a fundamental platform for collaboration and exchange, helping keep our work at the cutting edge. As well as finding collaborators and making friends.
HUPO’s commitment to advancing proteomics aligns closely with my goals of understanding complex protein interactions and their roles in health and disease, as well as supporting translational medicine by bridging the path from basic research to clinical trials and drug development.
What makes your research program exciting and unique?
An academic environment that integrates a medical faculty, university, and teaching hospital provides valuable opportunities for collaboration with clinicians and researchers, as well as access to patient biopsy samples, both tissue and liquid biopsies. I have been applying proteomics and molecular biology to identify protein biomarkers that differentiate cancer phenotypes and discover novel protein markers associated with more aggressive tumour subtypes, while also uncovering potential therapeutic targets for both molecular and radiological treatments. Together, this approach drives translational impact and advances personalised medicine.
While working at UCLA, I initiated and fostered collaborations at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (Los Angeles) and the Scripps Research Institute (San Diego) on brain and liver tumours using proteomics, resulting in several publications.
Furthermore, I have led initiatives at UCLA to integrate proteomics with radiology imaging data, contributing to the establishment and advancement of the emerging field of Radioproteomics. Within the UCLA Integrated Diagnostics Program (IDX), in the Department of Radiological Sciences, my research has focused on percutaneous image-guided clinical biopsies of histologically graded Liver HCC tissues. The objective of this work is to improve diagnostic precision and enable personalised treatment approaches for cancer patients receiving radiological therapies such as thermal ablation and others.
Being in a university environment, I have taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, which I greatly enjoy, and have supervised both Master’s and PhD students. In addition, I serve as an Editor and Editorial Board Member for multiple scientific journals as well as a recognised peer reviewer for many others.
I was honoured to receive the Global Australian Award 2025 in Health and Life Sciences, presented in December 2025. This award, which honours Australians making a global impact, motivates me to pursue my work with greater passion and responsibility.
What are your interests outside the lab?
I love travelling and do so whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy attending social gatherings that bring professionals together, which is why I’m involved in several nonprofit organisations, chambers of commerce, and charity events. I’m also active in sports, particularly swimming and tennis, whenever I have free time, and I have a strong passion for kayaking, exploring waterways and coastlines whenever I visit a new city or country.
Where do you envision the field of proteomics in the next 10 years?
With the rapid advances in proteomics and mass spectrometry, I envision the field becoming deeply integrated into many aspects of science and society over the next 10 years, extending well beyond medicine. Proteomics will increasingly play a central role in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine, while also expanding into areas such as environmental science, agriculture, and biotechnology, driving broad real-world impact.