Dr Sally Appleton graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2004 from the University of Queensland and then continued her studies, completing her Fellowship in Microbiology in 2012. Dr Appleton held the position of Senior Fellow in Microbiology with Queensland Health at their Central laboratory, Princess Alexandra Hospital Laboratory and the Public Health laboratory.

In addition to her full-time duties in the Microbiology and Infectious Immunology areas since 2013, Dr Appleton has held a casual tenure since 2006 with the QML Pathology Warfarin Department continuing a long family association.