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Melissa Suares
Project Lead - Data Management, Linkage for Longitudinal Lifecourse Studies @Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
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WORK HISTORY
Project Lead - Data Management, Linkage for Longitudinal Lifecourse Studies @Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
Melbourne, AU
I am the strategic and technical leader responsible for advancing AIFS’ role in Australia’s national data ecosystem. In my current role as Project Lead – Data Management and Linkage, I lead the design and delivery of a nationally significant data strategy, modernising legacy systems through federated architecture, metadata-driven automation and privacy-preserving technologies.I have played a key role in shaping AIFS’s standing as one of four Commonwealth agencies accredited as a Data Service Provider (ADSP) under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, overseeing complex data flows, ethical linkage frameworks, and secure de-identification services. I also represent AIFS in cross-agency forums, contributing to national conversations on data standards, capability uplift and infrastructure design.My portfolio spans three of Australia’s major longitudinal life course studies: • Growing Up in Australia (LSAC) – tracking over children and families nationwide • Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) – following the settlement experiences of humanitarian migrants • Ten to Men – Australia’s largest longitudinal study on male health and wellbeingI lead a diverse, high-performing team across several studies and projects, embedding best practice data governance, Indigenous data sovereignty, metadata pipelines and end-to-end linkage design. My work includes the development of modular programs for probabilistic data linkage and geospatial enrichment, as well as the authorship of governance frameworks that centre confidentiality, consent and community trust.With more than 20 years of experience across health, social policy and research sectors, I bring a combination of strategic foresight and technical depth. My focus is on building institutional capability and unlocking the full potential of longitudinal and linked data to inform evidence-based policy and improve societal outcomes.
EDUCATION
La Trobe University
Bachelor of Health Information Management (Honours)
University of Sydney
Master's degree, Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology)
University of Sydney
Masters of Health Science, Clinical Data Management
Victoria University
Bachelor's degree, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
SKILLS
ABOUT MELISSA SUARES
I am a strategic data leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering system-wide data solutions across health, human services, disability and social policy. My expertise spans data strategy, architecture, governance, integration and longitudinal research, with a focus on enabling ethical, high-impact use of complex data.I specialise in transforming legacy systems into future-ready infrastructure, building data environments that are privacy-preserving, interoperable and designed for long-term public value. I have led the design and delivery of large-scale data assets and frameworks that support high-trust data sharing, probabilistic linkage, metadata automation and strong governance foundations.With a background in clinical epidemiology and deep experience across research, operations and policy, I bring a rare ability to work across technical, legal and strategic domains. I have designed data systems that meet rigorous legislative and ethical standards while improving analytical capability, data quality and institutional sustainability.As a people-centred leader, I build collaborative, high-performing teams that deliver in complex environments. I believe in thoughtful, enduring design where data is not just a technical asset but a source of insight, responsibility and impact.I hold postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Data Management, and am an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management. My work continues to focus on advancing ethical, intelligent and inclusive data capability across sectors.
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