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Our People

Curtin Institute for Data Science is Australia’s largest university-based data science research institute.

We have a dedicated team of specialists who are highly trained in data science, high-performance computing, software development, project coordination and business development. Learn more about our team.

Research Officer

Shantelle Smith

After completing a Bachelor of Science (Health Science) at Curtin University, Shantelle pursued a Master of Cancer Sciences and a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne. She has since returned to Curtin to undertake a PhD in longitudinal breast cancer care pathways at the School of Population Health.

Since 2022, Shantelle has been the Research Officer for the WA Cancer Staging Project, collaborating with the WA Cancer Registry (WACR), the Cancer Network WA, and the Curtin Institute for Data Science (CIDS). This project, now transitioned to CIDS as the Automated Cancer Staging System (ACSS), focuses on statewide, population-based cancer staging at diagnosis within WACR. The project utilises natural language processing and machine learning to enhance cancer stage data reporting, aligning with the WA Cancer Plan 2020–2024.

Previously, Shantelle worked as a Research Officer at Monash University, contributing to the Cancer Research Program and the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry. During this time, she completed two Masters-level research projects: a scoping review and a retrospective cohort study examining the impacts of cancer and care pathways.

Joining the CIDS in 2025, Shantelle will support the ACSS project by coordinating stakeholder communications, developing training materials, and facilitating the system’s handover to WACR.

Key Competencies/Areas of Expertise:

• Expertise in cancer staging, care pathways, and population health research
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and project coordination
• Proficiency in data analysis and REDCap development and management