DEPARTMENT OF DERMATOLOGY
ANNUAL REPORT | FISCAL YEAR 2024
The mission of the Michigan Medicine Department of Dermatology is to advance dermatologic patient care, research, and education, grounded in an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our vision for the Michigan Medicine Department of Dermatology is committed to improving the health of all our patients through compassionate and equitable care. We strive to advance our collective knowledge by pushing the boundaries of medical science through research and innovation. We aspire to train and empower future generations of socially-conscious and passionate leaders in dermatology, ready to tackle the challenges in our field. We are dedicated to fostering a community that values individual differences and respects diverse talents. At the core of our mission, we acknowledge the sociocultural context in which our work occurs and will work ceaselessly towards promoting diversity and cultivating inclusion.
DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP
Christopher Bichakjian, MD Department Chair
Andrzej Dlugosz, MD Associate Chair for Research
Yolanda Helfrich, MD
Medical Dermatology Division Chief
Kristin Bernstein, MHA Department Administrator
Frank Wang, MD Associate Chair for Medical Education
Kelly Harms, MD, PhD
Cutaneous Surgery and Oncology Division Chief
Severine Cao, MD
Assistant Chair for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Jeffrey Orringer, MD
Cosmetic Dermatology Division Chief
Jennifer Mancuso, MD
Pediatric Dermatology Division Chief
PRIMARY DERMATOLOGY FACULTY
Faculty directory as of January 1, 2025
Christopher Bichakjian, MD Clinical Professor & Chair
Mallory Joseph, MD Adjunct Physician Instructor
Kathryn Leonard, MD Adjunct Physician Instructor
Alison Lee, MD Clinical Instructor
Johann Gudjonsson, MD, PhD Professor
Allison Billi, MD, PhD Assistant Professor
James T. Elder, MD, PhD Professor
Severine Cao, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
Charles Ellis, MD Professor Emeritus
Kelly Harms, MD, PhD Clinical Associate Professor
Kelly Cha, MD, PhD Clinical Associate Professor
Mari Paz Castanedo Tardan, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
Yilei Cui, PhD Assistant Research Scientist
Milad Eshaq, MD Clinical Associate Professor
Gary Fisher, PhD Professor
Blair Jenkins, MD, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor
Yolanda Helfrich, MD Clinical Professor
Andrzej Dlugosz, MD Professor
Michael Davis, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
Marina Grachtchouk, PhD Associate Research Scientist
Sara Fossum, MD, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor
Michael Goldfarb, MD Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Maya Aravind, MD, MS Clinical Assistant Professor
Mio Nakamura, MD, MS Clinical Assistant Professor
Rajan Nair, PhD Associate Research Scientist Ermeritus
Julie Mervak, MD Clinical Associate Professor
Bonita Mathai, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
Jennifer Mancuso, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
ASSOCIATED DERMATOLOGY FACULTY
Scott Bresler, MD, PhD Clinical Associate Professor Pathology
Paul Harms,
PhD Clinical Professor Pathology
Alexandra
Clinical Professor Pathology
Thomas Brenn,
PhD Professor Pathology
J. Michelle
PhD Professor Internal Med. (Rheumatology)
Clinical Professor Pathology
Clinical Professor Pathology
Professor Cell & Developmental Biology
John Varga,
Professor Internal Med. (Rheumatology)
Clinical Professor Internal Med.
Clinical Professor Pathology
Faculty directory as of December 31, 2024
MD,
MD
Christina Angeles, MD Assistant Professor Surgery (Surgical Oncology)
Kahlenberg, MD,
MD,
Hristov, MD
May Chan, MD
Leslie Fecher, MD
(Medical Oncology)
Simon Warren, MD
Pierre Coulombe, PhD
Lori Lowe, MD
M. Ghararee-Kermani, MPH, PHD, DVM Assistant Research Scientist Internal Med. (Rheumatology)
DIVISIONS
Medical Dermatology
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cutaneous Surgery & Oncology
Pediatric Dermatology (effective 1/1/25)
CLINIC LOCATIONS
Brighton Center for Specialty Care
Dexter Health Center
Domino’s Farms
Mott Children’s Hospital
Northville Health Center
Rogel Cancer Center
Taubman Center
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System*
Ypsilanti Health Center
62,367 21,408
TOTAL
VISITS BY LOCATION
Taubman Center - Med Derm
Domino’s Farms - Med Derm
Rogel Cancer Center - Mohs
Brighton Center for Specialty Care
Mott Children’s Hospital
Taubman Center - CDLC
Northville Health Center
Dexter Health Center
Ypsilanti Health Center
7,470 2,119
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
During FY24, our teaching teams worked to optimize the educational experience of all learners and faculty. To assist our return to in-person didactics, several faculty members expanded their teaching activities, adding didactic sessions and hands-on workshops (e.g., flaps and grafts, wide local excisions, nail procedures, etc.). Curricular threads addressing a wide variety of diversity equity and inclusion-related topics have been woven into the didactic program. Our educators have worked to foster an inclusive atmosphere that is focused on enhancing dermatology education.
Supported by our two endowed lectureships—the Jeffrey and Susan Callen Lectureship in Cutaneous Medicine and the Charles N. Ellis, MD Lectureship for Resident Education in Clinical Dermatology—our department hosted renowned experts in dermatological medicine. A newly organized lecture exchange with the University of North Carolina, University of Washington, and other academic institutions, brought fresh perspectives and expanded expertise to our residents while promoting scholarly exchange amongst the participating programs.
Our specialty clinics have supported intensive training in the clinical care of patients with severe and chronic skin disorders. In addition, we expanded clinical rotations in our pediatric dermatology program, supported by clinical growth within this division. In response to resident feedback, we also expanded clinical rotations on the inpatient service and in dermatopathology.
Our residents continue to excel in scholarship with 28 publications in peer-reviewed journals in FY24, as well as many abstracts and presentations at scientific and professional conferences. Supported by our Training Program in Cell and Molecular Dermatology, Dr. Joseph Durgin is applying state of the art spatial transcriptomics to characterize the influence of sebum on keratinocyte differentiation and dysfunction in acne vulgaris and to study tumor-immune interactions in basal cell carcinoma within the lab of Dr. Sunny Wong.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Dr. Sara Fossum began as Assistant Program Director for resident interviews in September 2024, as we bid a grateful farewell to Dr. Allison Darland who served this role from 2022 to 2024.
DERMATOLOGY GOES GLOBAL
Working in partnership with UMMS Global REACH, the dermatology residency launched its Global Dermatology program, including support for a one-month away rotation at an international affiliate program. In early 2024, Dr. Daniel Nadelman (PGY-4 resident) completed an away rotation at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where he gained clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of tropical dermatology and infectious diseases.
Yolanda Helfrich, MD Program Director Frank Wang, MD Assistant Program Director Sara Fossum, MD, PhD Assistant Program Director
VISITING PROFESSORS & GUEST LECTURERS FY24
Kaushal K. Verma, MD, FAMS, FRCP, FIMSA, Professor and Chair Department of Dermatology and Venereology All India Institute of Medical Sciences: “Management of STIs in India”
Somesh Gupta, MD, DNB, MNAMS, Professor of Dermatology and Venereology All India Institute of Medical Sciences: “Advances in the Management of Vitiligo and Conceptual Thinking”
Sarah Beth Corley, MD, MS, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina: “Vulvar Dermatoses”
Jeffrey and Susan Callen Lectureship in Cutaneous Medicine: Ruth Ann Vleugels, MD, MPH, MBA, Heidi and Scott C. Schuster
Distinguished Chair in Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School: “Autoimmune Skin Disease: Clinical Pearls and Pitfalls Gleaned from Dr. Callen and Beyond”
Carolyn Ziemer, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina: “Consults/CPC”
Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor: Crystal Aguh, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: “Updates in Our Understanding of CCCA” and “Hair Care 101”
Dermatology Pathways Program Visiting Professor: Diane Jackson Richards, MD, Henry Ford Health: “Importance of DEI in Dermatology”
Michigan Dermatological Society Visiting Professor: Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, Richard Allen Johnson, MD Endowed Chair in Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School: “Genetic and Genomic Determinants and Melanoma Outcome”
Arthur C. Curtis & Michigan Dermatological Society Visiting Professor: Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, Richard Allen Johnson, MD Endowed Chair in Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School: “Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Treatments for Melanoma”
Michi Shinohara, MD, Professor of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine: “Intro to Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma”
Klint Peebles, MD, FAAD, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group District of Columbia & Suburban Maryland: “Gender & Sexual Diversity in Dermatology: Why It MattersFundamentals and Advocacy”
Charles N. Ellis, MD, Lectureship for Resident Education in Clinical Dermatology: Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine: “What’s New in Pediatric Dermatology” and “Challenging and Instructional Pediatric Cases”
Dr. Misha Rosenbach delivers 2nd Annual Jeffrey and Susan Callen Lectureship in Cutaneous Medicine
Dr. Rosenbach is the Paul R. Gross Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Dermatology in Medicine (Rheumatology) at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He spoke on “Sarcoidosis, or “The Sarcoidoses”: A 2024 Update” and “Go Blue: Climate Change, Medicine, and You.”
Left: Dr. Callen and Dr. Rosenbach with UM Dermatology Residents
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DERMATOLOGY RESIDENCY CLASS OF 2025!
U-M Dermatology faculty, residents, staff and family members gathered to celebrate and honor our graduating senior residents at an intimate reception on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor.
We congratulated the class of 2025 on the completion of their dermatology residency, and offered best wishes as they embarked on their future careers.
The Dermatology Residency Class of 2024 honored Dr. Jennifer Swearingen with the department’s William B. Taylor Resident Teaching Award for Best Resident Educator.
“We are so grateful to have had the privilege of learning from Dr. Swearingen over the past few months, and we are so lucky to have her as an addition to our faculty. Her commitment to patient care is an inspiration to us all. And we are so appreciative of the way she cares about us as individuals. Thanks so much for going above and beyond to support us!”
Stephen Ansah-Addo, MD
Dermatologist, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Allentown, PA
Daniel Cole, MD
Dermatopathology Fellowship, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Rachel Fayne, MD (Co-Chief Resident)
Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship, Northwestern Medicine Fienberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Jane Harrell, MD (Co-Chief Resident)
Dermatologist, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI
Daniel Nadelman, MD
Dermatologist, Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, Branford, CT
Madison Ratycz, MD
Dermatologist, Trillium Creek Dermatology, Brunswick, OH
Kelly Reynolds, MD
Dermatologist, OptumCare Medical Group, Irvine, CA
Mason Runge, MD
Dermatologist, Atrium Health, Concord, NC
Amanda Shepard-Hayes, MD
Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
Back row (L-R): Chris Bichakjian, Rachel Fayne, Amanda Shepard-Hayes, Daniel Cole, Mason Runge; Front row (L-R): Stephen Ansah-Addo, Kelly Reynolds, Madison Ratycz, Jane Harrell, Yolando Helfrich, Daniel Nadelman
CLASS OF 2025
Amanda Arreola, MD
MD: University of Texas Rio Grande School of Medicine
CLASS OF 2026
Eric Bowman, MD
MD: Howard University College of Medicine
CLASS OF 2027
Roberta Buist, MD
MD: University of Michigan Medical School
Joseph Durgin, MD
MD: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Giselle Guerrero, MD
MD: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Thomas Hester, MD
MD: University of Michigan Medical School
Margaret Lang Houser, MD
MD: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Tran Do, MD, PhD
MD: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Ramon Govea, MD
MD: Pennsylvania State University of Medicine
Olivia Lee, MD
MD: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Orlando Martinez Luna, MD
MD: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Camilla Cascardo, MD
MD: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
of Medicine
Florida College of Medicine
MD: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Anne Ning, MD
MD: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
John Runge, MD, PhD
MD: University of Michigan Medical School
MD: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Daniel Wenzel, MD
MD: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Kathie Velez, MD
MD: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Albert Yang, MD
MD: University of Illinois College of Medicine
MD: University of Michigan Medical School
Kelly Young, MD, PhD
MD: University of Michigan Medical School
Jungsoo Chang, MD MD: Yale School
Alexander Gitin, MD MD: University of
Rama Godse, MD
Jacob Kingsley, MD
Rocio Oliva, MD, MS MD: Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School
Jeffrey Sobieraj, MD
CLINICAL FELLOWSHIPS
MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY & DERMATOLOGIC ONCOLOGY MSDO FELLOWS
Dr. Mari Paz Castanedo Tardan completed her Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) fellowship in December 2023, and returned as Clinical Assistant Professor in January 2024. Dr. Castanedo Tardan provides skin cancer surgery and advanced care to US veterans at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare Center.
Dr. Mallory Joseph served as a Clinical Instructor in the Division of Cutaneous Surgery and Oncology (CSO) during FY24, then joined the Mohs surgery practice at the University of Michigan Health-West. She continues to teach at Michigan Medicine as a Adjunct Physician Instructor.
Dr. Alison Lee transitioned to appointment as a CSO Clinical Instructor following completion of her MSDO clinical fellowship in June 2024. As a member of the CSO faculty team, she performs skin cancer surgery for Michigan Medicine patients and offers teaching while gaining advanced experience.
Dr. Milad Eshaq undertook a one-year MSDO clinical fellowship during 2024, returning in 2025 as a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology. Dr. Eshaq provides patient care within our skin cancer clinics at the Rogel Cancer Center, and also in the Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Center at the Taubman Center . The one-year ACGME-accredited Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) fellowship is directed by Dr. Christopher Bichakjian.
PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY
At the start of FY25, the Department of Dermatology was pleased launch an ACGMEaccredited Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship, led by program director, Dr. Jennifer Mancuso (pictured left). Our training program involves outpatient and inpatient clinical training in the diagnosis and management of pediatric dermatologic disease, hands-on laser and procedural surgery in both the clinic and OR, multidisciplinary management of vascular anomalies and opportunities to collaborate with other pediatric subspecialties. Upon successful completion of our oneyear fellowship program, trainees will be eligible for the Pediatric Dermatology Subspecialty Certification Exam offered by the American Board of Dermatology. In July 2024, Grace Hile, MD, stepped down from her position as Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology to become our program’s first pediatric dermatology fellow.
PEDS DERM FELLOW
Alison Lee, MD, MHS Clinical Instructor of Dermatology University of Michigan Medical School
Grace Hile, MD Pediatric Dermatology Fellow University of Michigan Medical School
Kimberly Breglio, MD, PhD MSDO Fellow University of Michigan Medical School
Milad Eshaq, MD MSDO Fellow University of Michigan Medical School
Pictured left to right: Drs. Mallory Joseph, Chris Bichakjian, Mari Paz Castanedo Tardan
CLINICAL FELLOWSHIPS (cont.)
DERMATOPATHOLOGY
Drs. Jaclyn Plotzke and Andrew Schuler completed their dermatopathology fellowship in June 2024. Dr. Plotzke has joined the dermatopathology faculty in the Department of Pathology at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Schuler has joined joined University of Michigan Health-West and also serves as Adjunct Physician Instructor of Dermatology at the University of Michigan Medical School with a focus on didactic teaching of dermatology faculty, house officers, and other trainees. In July 2024, Drs. Daniel Cole and Taylor Novice began their dermatopathology fellowships in the Department of Pathology.
This one-year ACGME-accredited dermatopathology fellowship is based in the Department of Pathology and is directed by Dr. Paul Harms.
DERMPATH FELLOWS
MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATION
In FY24, as part of a pilot project, professionally edited videos were created for all lectures supplied for the M1 Skin Sequence and Scientific Trunk. These videos are provided annually to first-year medical students, along with interactive clinical teaching sessions led by dermatology faculty and residents. Medical students have commented on the high quality of the video, clarity of content, and incorporation of skin of color images in these lectures. Notably, the Scientific Trunk Block Director commended our program’s “unfaltering commitment to continually improving the Dermatologic Science content delivery for our M1 students. Your leadership efforts to improve the content...have become an example to all our faculty on how to make a significant impact in helping our students prepare to optimally care for all their future patients.”
Additionally, many faculty members took part in leading the “complex cases” and “self-directed” learning modules for M1 students. These modules aim to strengthen learning by exploring interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary connections between dermatology, rheumatology, and hematology.
Frank Wang, MD
Trunk Director for Dermatology Julie Mervak, MD
RESEARCH
Department of Dermatology Research Programs achieved significant year-over-year growth in funding for 2024, securing over $12 million in committed research support. This represents an increase of nearly $1 million compared to FY23, with projections exceeding $15 million in funding for FY25. Our department’s sustained 6th place ranking among U.S. academic dermatology programs in terms of overall NIH funding results from the diligent and productive efforts of our innovative research teams.
In FY24, we successfully renewed the NIH/NIAMS P30 Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center award, supporting our newly renamed “UM Skin Research Center.” Additionally, Drs. James T. Elder and Sunny Wong are seeking renewal of the NIH T32 award that funds our department’s Training Program in Cell and Molecular Dermatology. This program has supported skin-related research training for physicianscientists and postdoctoral fellows for over 45 years.
Visiting Research Scholars
As part of a new program, our department is hosting two visiting research scholars through the UM Global Reach Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Research Scholars Program. Dr. Pei-Wei (Prudence) Huang (left) and Dr. Chun-Chun Gau (right), early career faculty at CGMH, are completing mentored research within the dermatology research labs of Drs. Anj Dlugosz and Gary Fisher, respectively.
CLINICAL RESEARCH
The Program for Clinical Research in Dermatology (PCRiD) now works on all clinical trials throughout the department. This consolidation of clinical research activities within PCRiD supports standardized processes, improved efficiency and outcomes, and has enhanced collaboration with the Michigan Clinical Trials Support Unit (M-CTSU). Notably, Dr. Nakamura was appointed as the new Associate Medical Director of the M-CTSU and Michigan Clinical Research Unit (MCRU) in July 2024.
PCRiD has added staff to support these additional projects, including a clinical research PA, a regulatory coordinator, and a study coordinator. Our program also welcomed Dr. Megan R. Hauptman as the Poth Clinical Research Fellow in July 2024. Dr. Hauptman joins us from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree and completed her internship in internal medicine.
PCRiD continues to support pharmaceutical trials that offer new therapies to patients and investigatorinitiated studies that are more exploratory in nature. Our department’s specialty clinic model has boosted patient recruitment for clinical trials, allowing multiple studies to be open for a single disease. By providing local access to innovative treatments that may not be publicly available, PCRiD continues to benefit our patients and clinical community while helping to advance approval of new treatments.
BASIC SCIENCE PROGRAMS
Aging Skin
Our skin aging and skin cancer biology research teams continue to collaborate on studies investigating how age-related changes within the dermis influence skin function and the development of skin cancer. These efforts have generated several novel mouse models of skin aging, including a humanized mouse model of dermal aging driven by fibroblast expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (hMMP1). Utilizing this model, our scientists have demonstrated hMMP1 expression as a critical mediator of dermal aging, contributing to a dermal microenvironment that promotes tumor development in keratinocytes (Quan T, et al., J Invest Dermatol , 2023).
Skin Cancer Biology
Studies in the Dlugosz lab are focused on refining and advancing innovative mouse models of basal cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma to preclinical studies, working in collaboration with UM colleagues in Biomedical Engineering and the College of Pharmacy.
PCRiD FELLOW
Dr. Elisabeth Pedersen began appointment as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology (tenure-track) and is establishing a program of research that explores the mechanisms of cellular behavior within the tumor microenvironment in basal cell carcinoma and other skin cancers.
In September 2024, the Dlugosz lab hosted a visit from famed online gamers Tyler and Jonathan Blevins, who raised nearly $100,000 for ongoing research at the Michigan Rogel Cancer Center during a live-streamed event at Michigan Stadium.
Megan Hauptman, MD Clinical Research Fellow University of Michigan Medical School
Left to right: Andrzej Dlugosz, Beth Pedersen, Monique Verhaegen, Tyler Blevins, Jonathan Blevins, Jawad Aqeel
BASIC SCIENCE PROGRAMS (cont.)
The Wong lab continues to deepen our knowledge of sebaceous gland biology, including new insights with relevance to acne and sebaceous hyperplasia. Studies published in FY2024 outlined unique processes for the self-renewal and regeneration of sebaceous glands following injury (Veniaminova N, et al., Cell Reports, 2023) and described the complex roles hair follicles serve in regulating skin barrier function (Ford N, et al., Cell Reports, 2024).
Immunogenetics and Autoimmune Skin Diseases
In early 2024, we celebrated 35 years of research discovery by the UM Psoriasis Genetics Research Program. Led by Dr. JT Elder, our researchers have generated pioneering discoveries that shaped our understanding of psoriasis as a complex autoimmune disease and established the central role of innate immunity in psoriasis pathogenesis. Yielding numerous publications in prestigious journals, this work has revealed new therapeutic targets for treatments that are improving the lives of patients with psoriasis. Dr. Elder decommissioned his lab in 2024.
Supported by his NIH R01 funding, Dr. Lam (Alex) Tsoi leads psoriasis genomics research integrating multi-omics data and trans-ethnic information to fine-map genetic components associated with inflammatory responses among individuals. This work aims to improve our understanding of disease difference amongst various patients.
Several members of our skin autoimmunity research faculty, including Drs. Johann Gudjonsson, Allison Billi and Alex Tsoi, have established new research labs at the North Campus Research Complex, adjacent to UM Internal Medicine colleagues in the Divisions of Rheumatology, and Allergy and Immunology. In October 2024, a ribbon-cutting event for these new Translational Immunology Research labs celebrated this move, which aims to enhance collaboration among autoimmune and inflammatory disease researchers at Michigan Medicine.
Over the past year, our Skin Autoimmunity and Immunogenetics research group, led by Dr. Gudjonsson, has worked to advance existing collaborations and integration of innovative technologies for singlecell profiling and spatial RNA-Seq technologies. Major collaborations across the US include work with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Single-Cell Skin Tissue Atlas, the UM Scleroderma Program, the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center’s “M-FAD” initiative, and the AMP AIM® Network Immunogenomics and Systems Biology Core. Additionally, this group has utilized “Flex Gene Expression” (10x Chromium), a cutting-edge tool that enables single-cell gene expression studies on years-old, archived tissue samples. This tool promises to revolutionize their research, particularly in the context of rare immune cell types and subtle non-immune stromal cell phenotypes.
Left to right: Drs. Allison Billi, Andrzej Dlugosz, Chris Bichakjian, James Edler, Beth Pedersen
Left to right: Drs. Jessica Turnier, David Fox, Alex Tsoi, John Varga, Michelle Kahlenberg, Allison Billi, Erin Janssen, Eliza Tsou
SKIN RESEARCH CENTER
New Name, Same Great Center
In 2024, we celebrated the successful renewal of NIH NIAMS P30 award funding for the UM Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center which is directed by Dr. Johann Gudjonsson. Marking its sixth year, the Center introduced a simplified new name: the UM Skin Research Center (UM-SRC). Since its creation in 2019, the Center has grown to encompass over 80 members, including basic researchers and clinical dermatologists from four schools on the UM Campus and 15 academic research centers across the United states.
The UM-SRC is advancing skin research and promoting new collaboration within the scientific community. These efforts are evidenced by more than 170 publications and numerous funded research awards that have benefited from UM-SRC resources.
The UM-SRC remains committed to delivering external support and resources for team science projects in skin-related research. The Center is at the forefront of efforts to help transform research discovery into new and better therapies to improve the health of patients.
Leadership Updates
Mrinal Sarkar, PhD, Assistant Research Scientist of Dermatology, has been appointed as an Associate Director for the Functional Analytics Core (FAC).
Sunny Wong, PhD, Associate Professor of Dermatology and of Cell & Developmental Biology, has been appointed an Associate Director of the Animal Modeling Core (AMC).
Allison Billi, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, is the new Director of the Visiting Scholar Program (former Visiting Speaker Series).
Annual Symposium
The UM-SRC hosted its 5th Annual Symposium on February 29, 2024. Held as a hybrid event, faculty, trainees, and research staff attended either in-person at Kahn Auditorium or virtually via Zoom.
Michel Gilliet, MD delivered the keynote address on “Immune Profiling for Precision Medicine of Inflammatory Skin Diseases.” Dr. Gilliet is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Lausanne, CHUV in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Visiting Scholar Series
The UM-SRC Visiting Scholar Series regularly hosts researchers engaged in outstanding cutaneous research. These researchers present their work, featuring the development of novel technologies and other approaches of interest to Center members. Additionally, each visiting scholar meets with dermatology trainees for an informal career development discussion over lunch.
• Sonya Wolf-Fortune, PhD, Research Fellow, Molecular & Integrative Physiology (Katherine Gallagher Lab), University of Michigan Medical School: “Epigenetic Regulation in Chronic Skin Inflammatory Conditions”
• Cristina de Guzman Strong, PhD, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health: “Understanding Human Skin Barrier Evolution and Health Disparities using Multi-Omics”
• Tiffany Scharschmidt, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine: “Living at Peace with our Skin Bacteria: Early Life Lessons”
• Tudorita (Doina) Tumbar, PhD, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University: “Epithelial Stem Cells in Action: Cell Intrinsic and Niche Related Mechanisms”
• Sangbum Park, PhD, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology Research, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine: “Capturing Cellular Dynamics During Wound Repair in Live Mice”
• Noah Hornick, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University: “Disentangling Cutaneous irAE from their Namesake Dermatoses”
VOORHEES PROFESSORSHIP CAMPAIGN
We are getting closer to our goal! In the fall of 2022, we launched a campaign to honor and pay tribute to the many contributions of our former chair, Dr. John Voorhees. By establishing this permanent endowment, the “John J. Voorhees, MD, Collegiate Professor of Dermatology” will create a lasting impact in our department in perpetuity. With a goal of raising $500,000 to establish, we are close to 75% of the way there.
Thank you to those that have partnered with us already, your generosity and support is appreciated! If you are interested in learning more about these efforts and would like to get involved, we invite and encourage you to join us. Jackie Rink manages philanthropy for the Department of Dermatology and would be happy to talk with you about the many opportunities for making a gift. She can be reached by cell phone at (734) 716-8512 or by email at rinkja@umich.edu.
ALUMNI REUNION AT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY ANNUAL MEETING
We hosted our Department of Dermatology Alumni Reunion at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego on Saturday, March 9, 2024 and in Orlando on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Alumni, current dermatology faculty and house officers gathered to catch up with friends and colleagues, make new connections, and enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
We hope to see you in Denver!
We will host an Alumni Reunion at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. Keep an eye out for future alumni communications!
DERMATOLOGY FALL ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND
Thank you to all who were able to join us for our University of Michigan Department of Dermatology 2nd biennial Fall Alumni Reunion Weekend September 27-28, 2024! We enjoyed seeing so many gather together in Ann Arbor and hope you had the chance to connect with your fellow alumni, faculty, and house officers throughout the weekend.
We hope to see you next year!
Our 3rd biennial Fall Alumni Reunion Weekend will be held in the fall of 2026!
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Effective January 1, 2025 through January 1, 2027
Jordan B. Acker, Michael J. Behm, Mark J. Bernstein, Paul W. Brown, Sarah Hubbard, Denise Ilitch, Carl J. Meyers, Katherine E. White, Santa J. Ono (ex officio)
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities and admissions.
Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT), 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388
© 2025 Regents of the University of Michigan
Produced by the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology
Mailing Address
University of Michigan Department of Dermatology 1910 Taubman Center 1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5314
Visit us online at: medschool.umich.edu/departments/dermatology