The Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania is an international leader in cutaneous biology and diseases research. In addition to other funding sources, our NIH/NIAMS T32 Dermatology Research Training Grant funds 4 post-doctoral and 3 pre-doctoral fellows per year. NIH T32-funded positions are limited to US citizens and permanent residents. Applications from minority, disabled, or disadvantaged applicants are particularly encouraged.
Each Research Fellow works under the direction of a faculty mentor. In addition, each research fellow takes part in our weekly Dermatology Research Seminar, bi-weekly Trainee Seminar and Happy Hour, annual Dermatology Trainee Research Day, among additional school- and university-wide research seminars and events. Fellows have access to the core facilities provided by our Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC), which is funded in part by an NIH P30 grant. The University provides a research fellowship infrastructure that organizes special seminars and training events covering multiple areas such as safe laboratory techniques, responsible conduct of research, grant writing, career opportunities, and others.
Our goal is to train and support the next generation of independent investigators in dermatology.
Prior Education/Training Requirements:
Predoctoral Research Fellowships are for MD PhD or PhD thesis students.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships require an M.D., Ph.D. or similar degree. Postdoctoral candidates should make a commitment of at least two years, and some previous research experience is desirable.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2022-2023 will be due around March 1, 2022. Applicants are advised to contact potential mentors before they apply and secure their agreement to accept the trainee into their research group. More information about T32-supported fellowships and other research training opportunities at Penn Dermatology can be found at: https://dermatology.upenn.edu/training/
Mentors in the Department of Dermatology include:
Brian Capell, MD, PhD
Research description: Epigenetics and epitranscriptomics in skin cancer, aging, and inflammatory diseases.
Selected recent citations:
– Egolf S, Zou J, Anderson A, Aubert Y, Ge K, Seykora JT, Capell BC. “MLL4 is a critical mediator of differentiation and ferroptosis in the epidermis.” bioRxiv 2021.05.03.442432; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.03.442432.
– Capell BC. “From enhancers to keratinocyte cancers.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. In press: 2021.
– Egolf S, Capell BC. “LSD1: A viable therapeutic target in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma?” Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 24(7): 2020.
– Capell BC, Seykora JT. “Loss of methylation modification marks psoriasis.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 140(6): 2020.
– Saffie R, Rolland D, Önder Ö, Basrur V, Elenitoba-Johnson K, Capell BC, Busino L. “FBXW7 triggers degradation of KMT2D to favor growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells.” Cancer Research. 80(12): 2020.
– Egolf S, Aubert Y, Doepner M, Anderson A, Maldonado-Lopez A, Pacella G, Lan Y, Simpson CL, Ridky T, Capell BC. “LSD1 inhibition promotes epithelial differentiation through derepression of fate-determining transcription factors.” Cell Reports. 28(8): 2019.
– Aubert Y, Egolf S, Capell BC. “The Unexpected Noncatalytic Roles of Histone Modifiers in Development and Disease.” Trends in Genetics. 35(9): 2019.
– Lin-Shiao E, Lan Y, Coradin M, Anderson A, Donahue G, Simpson CL, Sen P, Saffie R, Busino L, Garcia BA, Berger SL, Capell BC. “KMT2D regulates p63 target enhancers to coordinate epithelial homeostasis.” Genes & Development. 32(2): 2018.
– Capell BC, Berger SL. “The role of epigenetics in disease and treatment”. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 20th Ed: 2018.
– Capell BC, Drake A, Shah PP, Dorsey J, Simola DF, Dou Z, Zhu J, Sammons M, Donahue G, Rai TS, Natale CA, Ridky TW, Adams PD, Berger SL. “MLL1 is essential for the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.” Genes & Development. 30(3): 2016.
– Ghosh K, Capell BC. “The senescence-associated secretory phenotype: critical effector in skin cancer and aging.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 136(11): 2016.
Contact: capellb@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
George Cotsarelis, MD
Research description: hair follicle stem cells and biology, alopecia, wound healing, skin regeneration.
Selected recent citations:
– Wang LL, Cotsarelis G. Regenerative medicine could pave the way to treating baldness. Nature. 2020 Jun;582(7812):343-344
– Plikus MV, Guerrero-Juarez CF, Ito M, Li YR, Dedhia PH, Zheng Y, Shao M, Gay DL, Ramos R, His TC, Oh JW, Wang X, Ramirez A, Konopelski SE, Elzein A, Wang A, Supapannachart RJ, Lee HL, Lim CH, Nace A, Guo A, Treffeisen E, Andl T, Ramirez RN, Murad R, Offermanns S, Metzger D, Chambon P, Widgerow AD, Tuan TL, Mortazavi A, Gupta RK, Hamilton BA, Millar SE, Seale P, Pear WS, Lazar MA, Cotsarelis G. (2017). Regeneration of fat cells from myofibroblasts during wound healing. Science 355, 748-752
– Gay, D., Kwon, O., Zhang, Z., Spata, M., Plikus, M.V., Holler, P.D., Ito, M., Yang, Z., Treffeisen E., Kim, C.D., Nace, A., Zhang, X., Baratano, S., Wang, F., Ornitz, D.M., Millar, S.E., Cotsarelis, G. (2013) Fgf9 from dermal T cells induces hair follicle neogenesis after wounding. Nat. Med. 19(7): 916-923.
– Garza LA, Liu Y, Yang Z, Alagesan B, Lawson JA, Norberg SM, Loy DE, Zhao T, Blatt HB, Stanton DC, Carrasco L, Ahluwalia G, Fischer SM, Fitzgerald GA, Cotsarelis G. (2012). Prostaglandin d2 inhibits hair growth and is elevated in bald scalp of men with androgenetic alopecia. Sci Transl Med. 4, 126ra34.
– Garza LA, Yang CC, Zhao T, Blatt HB, Lee M, He H, Stanton DC, Carrasco L, Spiegel JH, Tobias JW, Cotsarelis G. (2011). Bald scalp in men with androgenetic alopecia retains hair follicle stem cells but lacks CD200-rich and CD34-positive hair follicle progenitor cells. J Clin Invest. 121, 613-22.
– Ito M, Yang Z, Andl T, Cui C, Kim N, Millar S, Cotsarelis G. (2007) Wnt-dependent de novo hair follicle regeneration in adult mouse skin after wounding. Nature. 447: 316-19.
– Ito M, Liu Y, Yang Z, Nguyen J, Liang F, Morris RJ, Cotsarelis G. Stem cells in the hair follicle bulge contribute to wound repair but not to homeostasis of the epidermis. Nat Med. 2005 11:1351-4
– Morris RJ, Liu Y, Marles L, Yang Z, Trempus C, Li S, Lin JS, Sawicki JA, Cotsarelis G. (2004) Capturing and profiling adult hair follicle stem cells. Nat Biotechnol. 22:411-7
Contact: cotsarel@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE
Research description: clinical trials; psoriasis; epidemiology
Selected recent citations:
-Yeung H, Takeshita T, Mehta NN, Kimmel Se, Ogdie A, Margolis DJ, Shin DB, Attor R, Troxel AB, Gelfand JM: Psoriasis severity and the prevalence of major medical co-morbidities: a population based study. JAMA Dermatology 149: 1173-9, 2013.
-Ogdie A, Haynes K, Troxel AB, Love TJ, Hennessy S, Choi H, and Gelfand JM: Risk of mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis: a longitudinal cohort study. Ann Rheum Disease 73(1): 149-53, January 2014.
-Wan J, Wang S, Haynes K, Denburg MR, Shin DB, and Gelfand JM: The risk of moderate to advanced kidney disease in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study. British Medical Journal 15: 347:593, October 2013.
– Mehta NN, Li R, Krishnamoorthy P, Yu Y, Farver W, Rodriguez A, Raper A, Wilcox M, Baer A, DerOhannesian S, Wolfe M, Reilly MP, Rader DJ, Van Voorhees A, Gelfand JM: Abnormal Lipoprotein particles and cholestrol efflux capacity in patients with psoriasis. Atherosclerosis (224), 218-21, 2012.
– Mehta N, Yu YD, Saboury B, Foroughi N, Krishnamoorthy P, Raper A, Baer A, Antigua J, Van Voorhees AS, Torigian DA, Alavi A, and Gelfand JM: Systemic and Vascular Inflammation in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis as measured by [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT): A Pilot Study. Archives of Dermatology 147(9): 1031-1039, September 2011.
– Langan SM, Seminara, NM, Shin, DB, Troxel A, Kimmel SE, Mehta NN, Margolis DJ, and Gelfand JM: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: A population-based study in the United Kingdom. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Advance Online Publication, November 2011.
– Gelfand JM, Wan J, Callis Duffin, K, Krueger GG, Kalb RE, Weisman JD, Sperber BR, Stierstorfer MB, Brod BA, Schleicher SM, Bebo BF, Troxel AB, Shin DB, Steinemann JM, Goldfarb J, Yeung H, and Van Voorhees AS: Comparative Effectiveness of Commonly Used Systemic Treatments or Phototherapy for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in the Clinical Practice Setting. Archives of Dermatology 148(4): 487-94, April 2012
– Gelfand, JM, Neimann, AL, Shin, DB, Wang, X, Margolis, DJ, and Troxel, AB. The risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:1735-1741.
Contact: Joel.Gelfand@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Elizabeth Grice, PhD
Research description: Skin microbial host-interactions; skin microbiome; chronic wounds
Open positions: The Grice lab has openings for post-doctoral research fellows with a strong interest and/or experience in investigating mechanisms of epithelial host-microbe interactions. Experience in cutaneous biology, microbiology, and/or genomics (particularly microbial genomics or single-cell genomics) is preferred. Please email egrice@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with CV and names of 3 references for consideration.
Selected recent citations:
– Uberoi A, Bartow-McKenny C, Zheng Q, Flowers L, Campbell A, Knight SAB, Chan N, Wei M, Lovins V, Bugayev J, Horwinski J, Bradley C, Meyer J, Crumrine D, Elias P, Mauldin E, Sutter TR, Grice EA. Commensal microbiota regulates skin barrier function and repair via signaling through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Cell Host Microbe. In press.
– Flowers L, Grice EA. The Skin Microbiota: Balancing Risk and Reward. Cell Host Microbe. 2020 Aug 12;28(2):190-200. PMID: 32791112; PMCID: PMC7444652.
– Kalan LR, Meisel JS, Loesche MA, Horwinski J, Soaita I, Chen X, Uberoi A, Gardner SE, Grice EA. Strain- and Species-Level Variation in the Microbiome of Diabetic Wounds Is Associated with Clinical Outcomes and Therapeutic Efficacy. Cell Host Microbe. 2019 May 8;25(5):641-655.e5. PMID: 31006638; PMCID: PMC6526540.
– Grogan MD, Bartow-McKenney C, Flowers L, Knight SAB, Uberoi A, Grice EA. Research Techniques Made Simple: Profiling the Skin Microbiota. J Invest Dermatol. 2019 Apr;139(4):747-752.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.01.024. PMID: 30904077; PMCID: PMC7439564.
– Meisel JS, Sfyroera G, Bartow-McKenney C, Gimblet C, Bugayev J, Horwinski J, Kim B, Brestoff JR, Tyldsley AS, Zheng Q, Hodkinson BP, Artis D, Grice EA. Commensal microbiota modulate gene expression in the skin. Microbiome. 2018 Jan 30;6(1):20. PMID: 29378633; PMCID: PMC5789709.
– Gimblet C, Meisel JS, Loesche MA, Cole SD, Horwinski J, Novais FO, Misic AM, Bradley CW, Beiting DP, Rankin SC, Carvalho LP, Carvalho EM, Scott P, Grice EA. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Induces a Transmissible Dysbiotic Skin Microbiota that Promotes Skin Inflammation. Cell Host Microbe. 2017 Jul 12;22(1):13-24.e4. PMID: 28669672; PMCID: PMC5555377.
– Loesche M, Gardner SE, Kalan L, Horwinski J, Zheng Q, Hodkinson BP, Tyldsley AS, Franciscus CL, Hillis SL, Mehta S, Margolis DJ, Grice EA. Temporal Stability in Chronic Wound Microbiota Is Associated With Poor Healing. J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Jan;137(1):237-244.: 27566400; PMCID: PMC5279919.
Contact: egrice@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Thomas Leung, MD PhD
Research description: mammalian tissue regeneration, regenerative medicine, wound healing, clinical translation of inflammatory skin diseases (sarcoid, lichen planus), gene expression, 3D genome organization
Selected recent citations:
- Nishiguchi M.A., Spencer C.A., Leung D.H., and Leung T.H. Aging suppresses skin-derived circulating SDF1 to promote full-thickness tissue regeneration. Cell Reports. 24(13):3383-3392, PMID: 30590058.
- Wei J.J., Kallenbach L.R., Kreider M., Leung T.H., and Rosenbach M. Resolution of cutaneous sarcoidosis after Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for concomitant polycythemia vera. JAAD Case Reports. 5(4):360-361, 2019. PMID: 31008168.
- Wei J.J., Kim H.S., Spencer C.A., Brennan-Crispi D., Zheng Y., Johnson N.M., Rosenbach M., Miller C., Leung, D.H., Cotsarelis G., and Leung T.H.Activation of TRPA1 Nociceptor Promotes Systemic Adult Mammalian Skin Regeneration. Science Immunology. 5(50):eaba5683, 2020. PMID: 32859683.
David J. Margolis, MD, PhD
Research description: clinical trials, epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology of chronic wounds (venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers), acne, and atopic dermatitis, genetic epidemiology of atopic dermatitis; comparative effectiveness of wound therapies; spatial correlation of lower extremity amputation;
Selected recent citations:
– Margolis DJ, Gupta J, Apter AJ, Ganguly T, Hoffstad O, Papadopoulos M, Rebbeck TR, Mitra N. Filaggrin-2 variation is associated with more persistent atopic dermatitis in African American subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 Mar;133(3):784-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.09.015. Epub 2013 Nov 1. PubMed PMID: 24184149; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3943564.
– Barbieri JS, Hoffstad O, Margolis DJ. Duration of oral tetracycline-class antibiotic therapy and use of topical retinoids for the treatment of acne among general practitioners (GP): A retrospective cohort study. J Amer Acad Dermatol, 75(6): 1142-1150, 2016.
– Chang J, Mitra N, Hoffstad O, Margolis DJ. Filaggrin loss of function and thymic stromal lymphopoietin variation as predictors of treatment use in atopic dermatitis. JAMA Dermatology, in press 2016.
– Lim HW, Collins SAB, Resneck JS, Bolognia JL, Hodge JA, Rohrer TA, Van Beek MJ, Margolis DJ, Sober AJ, Weinstock MA, Nerenz DR, Begolka WS, Moyano JV. The burden of skin disease in the United States, J Amer Acad Dermatol, 2017 on line
– Langan SN, Abuabara K, Henrickson SE, Hoffstad O, Margolis DJ. Increased risk of cutaneous and systemic infections in atopic dermatitis-A cohort study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017 in press.
– Chang J, Bilker WB, Hoffstad O, Margolis DJ. Cross sectional and longitudinal comparisons of patient-reported disease control, disease severity, and symptom frequency in children with atopic dermatitis, British Journal of Dermatology in press 2017.
Contact: margo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Michael Ming, MD, MSCE
Research description: melanoma and dysplastic nevi, epidemiology, dermatopathology
Selected recent citations:
– Brauer JA, Shin DB, Levy RM, Shapiro M, Ming ME: Characteristics of dermatologists who read dermatopathology slides. J Cutan Pathol. 34: 687-692, 2007.
– Brauer JA, Wriston CC, Troxel AB, Elenitsas R, Shin DB, Guerry D, Ming ME: Characteristics associated with early and late melanoma metastases. Cancer 116: 415-23, 2010.
– Clark LN, Shin DB, Troxel AB, Khan S, Sober AJ, Ming ME: Association between the anatomic distribution of melanoma and sex. J Amer Acad Dermatol. 56: 768-773, 2007.
Contact: Michael.Ming@uphs.upenn.edu
Aimee S. Payne, MD, PhD
Research description: The Payne lab (www.aimeepaynelab.org) is seeking an entry-level research specialist, postdoctoral fellow, and a more senior research investigator for research programs involving single-cell immune profiling of B and T cell autoimmune responses; engineered cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, mechanisms of engineered T cell differentiation, comparative canine and human immunology, including clinical trials of novel canine cellular immunotherapies (veterinary immunology experience welcome). Please include a CV with inquiries.
Selected recent citations:
– Lee J, Lundgren DK, Mao X, Manfredo-Vieira S, Nunez-Cruz S, Williams EF, Assenmacher CA, Radaelli E, Oh S, Wang B, Ellebrecht CT, Fraietta JA, Milone MC, Payne AS. (2020) Antigen specific B-cell depletion for precision therapy of mucosal pemphigus vulgaris. J Clin Invest., 130:6317-6324.
-Ellebrecht CT, Lundgren DK, Payne AS. (2019) On the mark: genetically engineered immunotherapies for autoimmunity. Curr.Opin.Immunol., 61:69-73.
– Ellebrecht CT, Mukherjee EM, Zheng Q, Choi EJ, Reddy SG, Mao X, Payne AS. (2018) Autoreactive IgG and IgA B cells evolve through distinct subclass switch pathways in the autoimmune disease pemphigus vulgaris. Cell Reports, 24:2370-2380.
– Ellebrecht CT, Bhoj VG, Nace A, Choi EJ, Mao X, Cho MJ, Di Zenzo G, Lanzavecchia A, Seykora JT, Cotsarelis G, Milone MC, Payne AS (2016) Reengineering chimeric antigen receptor T cells for targeted therapy of autoimmune disease. Science, 353:179-184
– Cho MJ, Ellebrecht CT, Hammers CM, Mukherjee EM, Sapparapu G, Boudreaux CE, McDonald SM, Crowe JE, Jr., Payne AS (2016) Determinants of VH1-46 cross-reactivity to pemphigus vulgaris autoantigen desmoglein 3 and rotavirus antigen VP6. J. Immunol., 197(4):1065-73.
Contact: paynea@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Todd W. Ridky, MD, PhD
Research description: 3-D Human Cancer Models, Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Stem Cells, Tumor-Stroma Interaction, Targeted Therapeutics
Selected recent citations:
– Monteleon CL, Agnihotri T, Dahal A, Liu M, Rebecca VW, Beatty GL, Amavaradi RK, Ridky TW. Lysosomes support the degradation, signaling, and mitochondrial metabolism necessary for human epidermal differentiation. J Invest Dermatol. 2018 Mar 8. [Epub ahead of print].
– Natale CA, Li J, Zhang J, Dahal A, Dentchev T, Stanger BZ, Ridky TW. Activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor signaling inhibits melanoma and improves response to immune checkpoint blockade. Elife. 2018 Jan 16;7. pii: e31770. doi: 10.7554/eLife.31770.
– Duperret EK, Natale CA, Monteleon C, Dahal A, Ridky TW. The integrin αv-TGFβ signaling axis is necessary for epidermal proliferation during cutaneous wound healing. Cell Cycle. 2016 Aug 2;15(15):2077-86.
– Natale CA, Duperret EK, Zhang J, Sadeghi R, Dahal A, O’Brien KT, Cookson R, Winkler JD, Ridky TW. Sex steroids regulate skin pigmentation through nonclassical membrane-bound receptors. Elife. 2016 Apr 26;5. pii: e15104.
– Duperret EK, Dahal A, Ridky TW. Focal-adhesion-independent integrin-αv regulation of FAK and c-Myc is necessary for 3D skin formation and tumor invasion. J Cell Sci. 2015 Nov 1;128(21):3997-4013.
– McNeal AS, Liu K, Nakhate V, Natale CA, Duperret EK, Capell BC, Dentchev T, Berger SL, Herlyn M, Seykora JT, Ridky TW. CDKN2B Loss Promotes Progression from Benign Melanocytic Nevus to Melanoma. Cancer Discov. 2015 Oct;5(10):1072-85.
– Monteleon CL, McNeal A, Duperret EK, Oh SJ, Schapira E, Ridky TW. IQGAP1 and IQGAP3 Serve Individually Essential Roles in Normal Epidermal Homeostasis and Tumor Progression. J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Sep;135(9):2258-65.
– Ridky TW, Cotsarelis G. Vismodegib resistance in basal cell carcinoma: not a smooth fit. Cancer Cell. 2015 Mar 9;27(3):315-6.
– Duperret EK, Ridky TW. Kindler syndrome in mice and men. Cancer Biol Ther. 2014 Sep;15(9):1113-6.
– Duperret EK, Oh SJ, McNeal A, Prouty SM, Ridky TW. Activating FGFR3 mutations cause mild hyperplasia in human skin, but are insufficient to drive benign or malignant skin tumors. Cell Cycle. 2014;13(10):1551-9.
– Duperret EK, Ridky TW. Focal adhesion complex proteins in epidermis and squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Cycle. 2013 Oct 15;12(20):3272-85.
Pantelis Rompolas, PhD
Research description:
Biology of skin stem cells and regeneration by live imaging. Mechanisms of cell fate and the role of the niche microenvironment in keratinocyte self-renewal or differentiation. Epithelial cell plasticity in homeostasis and pathophysiology.
Selected recent citations:
– Rompolas P., Deschene E.R., Zito G.,Gonzalez D., Saotome I., Haberman A. & Greco V. (2012). Live imaging of stem cell and progeny behavior in physiological hair-follicle regeneration. Nature. 7408, 496-9. PMID: 22763436
– Rompolas P., Mesa K. and Greco V. (2013). Spatial organization within a niche as a determinant of stem cell fate. Nature 7472, 513-8. PMID: 24097351
– Rompolas P.* & Greco V. Stem cell dynamics in the hair follicle niche. (2014) Issue: “Development of Ectodermal Organs”. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology. 25-26:34-42. *Corresponding author PMID: 24361866
– Deschene E.R., Myung P., Rompolas P., Zito G., Sun T.Y., Taketo M.M., Saotome I.& Greco V. (2014). β-catenin activation regulates tissue growth via a non-cell autonomous mechanism within the hair stem cell niche. Science. 343, 1353-6. PMID: 24653033
– Mesa K.R., Rompolas P., Zito G., Myung P., Sun T.Y., Brown S., Gonzalez D.G., Blagoev K.B., Haberman A.M. & Greco V. (2015). Niche-induced cell death and epithelial phagocytosis regulate hair follicle stem cell pool. Nature. PMID: 25849774
– Huang S, Rompolas P. Two-photon microscopy for intracutaneous imaging of stem cell activity in mice. Exp Dermatol. 2017 May;26(5):379-383.
– Rompolas P, Mesa KR, Kawaguchi K, Park S, Gonzalez D, Brown S, Boucher J, Klein AM, Greco V. Spatiotemporal coordination of stem cell commitment during
epidermal homeostasis. Science. 2016 Jun 17;352(6292):1471-4.
Contact: rompolas@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
John Seykora, MD, PhD
Research description: murine models of skin cancer, mutations driving the early stages of UV-induced carcinogenesis, Notch signaling, Nuclear Pore Complex in cancer, anti-oncogenic mechanisms of Srcasm, topical treatment of skin cancer, regulation of UV-induced DNA damage
Selected recent citations:
– Taylor LA, O’Day C, Dentchev T, Hood K, Chu EY, Ridky TW, Seykora JT. p15 Expression Differentiates Nevus from Melanoma. Am J Pathol. 2016 Dec;186(12):3094-3099.
– McNeal AS, Liu K, Nakhate V, Natale CA, Duperret EK, Capell BC, Dentchev T, Berger SL, Herlyn M, Seykora JT, Ridky TW. CDKN2B Loss Promotes Progression from Benign Melanocytic Nevus to Melanoma. Cancer Discov. 2015 Oct;5(10):1072-85.
– Seykora J, Dentchev T, Margolis DJ. Filaggrin-2 barrier protein inversely varies with skin inflammation. Exp Dermatol. 2015 Sep;24(9):720-2.
-Gober MD, Bashir HM, Seykora JT. Reconstructing skin cancers using animal models. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 32: 123-128 2013 PMCID: PMC3625682
-Ratushny, V., Gober, M., Hick, R., Ridky, T., and Seykora, J. From keratinocyte to cancer: the pathogenesis and modeling of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Clin Invest. 122(2):464–472. 2012. PMCID: PMC3266779
– Zhao, L., Li, W., Marshall, C., Griffin, T., Hanson, M., Hick, R., Dentchev, T., Williams, E., Werth, A., Miller, C., Bashir, H. Pear, W. and Seykora, J.T. Srcasm inhibits Fyn-induced cutaneous carcinogenesis with modulation of Notch 1 and p53. Cancer Research 69: 9439-9447. 2009.
– Meulner, M., Ayli, E., Elenitsas, R., and Seykora, J. Decreased Srcasm expression in hyperproliferative cutaneous lesions. J. Cutan. Path. 36: 291-5. 2009
– Ayli EE, Li W, Brown TT, Witkiewicz A, Elenitsas R, Seykora JT. Activation of Src-family tyrosine kinases in epidermal hyperproliferative disorders. J. Cutan. Path. 35: 273-7. 2008
– Li, W., Marshall, C., Mei, L., Gelfand, J., Seykora, J. T. Srcasm corrects Fyn-induced epidermal hyperplasia by kinase downregulation. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 282: 1161-69. 2007
-Pulitzer, M., Li, W., Hanson, M., Singh, F., Elenitsas, R., VanVoorhees, A., Gelfand, J., and Seykora, J. Srcasm overexpression in psoriasis-insights into pathogenesis. J. Cutan. Path. 34: 160-65. 2007
– Li W, Marshall C, Mei L, Dzubow L, Schmults C, Dans M, Seykora J.T. Srcasm modulates EGF and Src-kinase signaling in keratinocytes. J Biol Chem. 2005 280:6036-46
Contact: John.Seykora@uphs.upenn.edu
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE
Research description: Health and healthcare disparities in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and other dermatologic diseases; epidemiology; health services research; mixed methods and qualitative research; clinical trials.
Selected recent citations:
– Takeshita J, Wang S, Loren AW, Mitra N, Shults J, Shin DB, Sawinski D: Association of Racial/Ethnic and Gender Concordance Between Patients and Physicians with Patient Experience Ratings. JAMA Netw Open 3(11): e2024583, Nov 2020.
– Holmes A, Williams C, Wang S, Barg FK, Takeshita J.: Content Analysis of Psoriasis and Eczema Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements. Cutis 106(03): 147-50, Sep 2020.
– Barbieri JS, Shin DB, Wang S, Margolis DJ, Takeshita J: Association of Race/Ethnicity and Sex With Differences in Health Care Use and Treatment for Acne JAMA Dermatol 156(3): 312-19, Mar 2020.
– Wan J, Margolis DJ, Mitra N, Hoffstad OJ, Takeshita J. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Atopic Dermatitis-Related School Absences Among US Children. JAMA Dermatol. 2019. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.0597.
– Wan J, Oganisian A, Spieker AJ, Hoffstad OJ, Mitra N, Margolis DJ, Takeshita J. Racial/Ethnic Variation in Use of Ambulatory and Emergency Care for Atopic Dermatitis Among U.S. Children. J Invest Dermatol. 2019; 139(9):1906-1913.e.1.
– Takeshita J, Eriksen WT, Raziano VT, Bocage C, Hur L, Shah RV, Gelfand JM, Barg FK. Racial Differences in Perceptions of Psoriasis Therapies: Implications for Racial Disparities in Psoriasis Treatment. J Invest Dermatol. 2019; 139(8):1672-1679.e.1.
– Fischer AH, Shin DB, Gelfand JM, Takeshita J. Health Care Utilization for Psoriasis in the United States Differs by Race: An Analysis of the 2001-2013 Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018; 78(1):200-3.
– Fischer AH, Shin DB, Margolis DJ, Takeshita J. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health Care Utilization for Childhood Eczema: An Analysis of the 2001-2013 Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017; 77(6):1060-7.
– Takeshita, J., Gelfand, J.M., Li, P., Pinto, L., Yu, X., Rao, P., Viswanathan, H.N., Doshi, J.A. Psoriasis in the U.S. Medicare Population: Prevalence, Treatment, and Factors Associated with Biologic Use. J Invest Dermatol. 2015; 135(12):2955-63.
Contact: Junko.Takeshita@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Victoria P. Werth, MD
Research description: Pro-inflammatory effects of ultraviolet light on skin; the immunopathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune skin diseases and photoaging; clinical trials in autoimmune connective tissue and blistering disease.
Selected recent citations:
– Robinson ES, Alves P, Bashir MM, Zeidi M, Feng R, Werth VP. Cannabinoid Reduces Inflammatory Cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Type I Interferons in Dermatomyositis In Vitro. J Invest Dermatol 137(11):2445-2447, 2017.
– Kim HJ, Langenhan JL, Robinson ES, Privette E, Achtman JC, Mitrani RA, Zeidi M, Sharma MR, Feng R, Nevas JL, Calianno C, Okawa J, Taylor L, Pappas-Taffer L, Werth VP. Effect of long-term treatment with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors on single-dose ultraviolet-induced changes in human skin. Br J Dermatol. 2017 Dec;177(6):1762-1764.
– Liu ML, Williams KJ, Werth VP. Microvesicles in autoimmune diseases. Adv Clin Chem 77, 125-175, 2016.
– Chen Y, Li G, Liu Y, Werth VP, Williams KJ, Liu ML. Translocation of Endogenous Danger Signal HMGB1 from Nucleus to Membrane Microvesicles in Macrophages. Journal of Cellular Physiology 231:2319-26, 2016.
– Tiao J, Feng R, … Werth VP. The Reliability of the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI) Among Dermatologists, Rheumatologists, and Neurologists. Br J Dermatol 176:423-430.
– Werth VP, Fiorentino D, Sullivan BA, Boedigheimer MJ, Chiu K, Wang C, Arnold GE, Damore MA, Bigler J, Welcher AA, Russell CB, Martin DA, Chung JB. Pharmacodynamics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of AMG 811, a Human Anti-Interferon-γ Antibody, in Subjects with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017 Jan 24. doi: 10.1002/art.40052.
– Robinson ES, Feng R, Okawa J, Werth VP. Improvement in the cutaneous disease activity of patients with dermatomyositis is associated with a better quality of life. Br J Dermatol 172:169-74, 2015
– Foering J, Chang A, Piette E, Okawa J, Werth V.P. Characterization of clinical photosensitivity in cutaneous lupus erythematosus. J Am Acad Dermatol 69:205-218, 2013.
– Braunstein I, Klein R, Okawa J, and Werth VP. The IFN-inducible gene signature is elevated in SCLE and DLE and correlates with CLASI score. Br J Dermatol 166:971-5, 2012.
– Kim JS, Bashir MM, Werth, VP. Gottron’s papules exhibit dermal accumulation of CD44 variant 7 (CD44v7) and its binding partner osteopontin: a unique molecular signature. J Invest Dermatol 132:1825-32, 2012.
– Klein R, Moghadam-Kia S, LoMonico J, Okawa J, Coley CH, Taylor L, Troxel AB, Werth VP. Development of the CLASI as a tool to measure disease severity and responsiveness to therapy in cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Arch Dermatol 142:203-8, 2011.
– Bashir MM, Sharma M, Werth V.P. UVB and pro-inflammatory cytokines synergistically activate TNF- production in keratinocytes through enhanced gene transcription. J Invest Dermatol 129: 994-1001, 2009.
Contact: werth@pennmedicine.upenn.edu