Dermatology PSTP Scholars

Research Interests:

I'm interested in epidermal development, epigenetics, and regeneration.

Research Interests:

My interest includes developmental biology, genetics, stem cell biology, epidermal appendages, hair follicle stem cell regulation, and clinical translation. I am currently engaged in a research project with Dr. Rui Yi.

Research Interests:

I am interested in the social impact of the cutaneous microbiome, health disparities, and race and gender in dermatologic practice.

Research Interests:

I am interested in the epidemiology of skin cancer screening and high-risk skin cancer populations including those with solid organ transplants or other immunosuppression. My work is based in the observation of practice care patterns, large datasets generated from the EMR, as well as cost-effectiveness modeling in order to optimize the use of healthcare resources and improve the quality of life for our patients.

Research Interests:

Research Interests:

I have an interest in the intersection of skin immunity and cancer biology. To that end, I have pursued a post-doctoral research fellowship with Dr. Jaehyuk Choi to investigate the molecular genomics of cutaneous lymphomas and other skin-derived neoplasms. My research has focused on the use of orthogonal genomic and transcriptomic approaches to uncover driver mutations in cutaneous lymphomas and to identify biomarkers that may help us better understand their biology and to develop more targeted therapies.

Research Interests:

My goal is to use dermatology as a platform for studying and advancing genetics, immunology, and the treatment of complex skin disorders. I have been fortunate to have a strong background in immunology, genetics, and cell biology. I have trained with Dr. Fred Alt at Harvard Medical School on B-cell genetics/epigenetics as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellow, Dr. Ken Kraemer at the National Institutes of Health on xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy genetics as a clinical research fellow, Dr. Eli Gilboa at the University of Miami Immunotherapy Institute on aptamers for cancer immunotherapy as an MD fellow during my dermatology residency, Dr. Jaehyuk Choi at Northwestern University on the genomics of cutaneous B cell lymphoma as a T32 research fellow, and Drs. Patrick Seed and Joan Guitart at Northwestern on the skin microbiome as a KL2 scholar. In addition, I have studied ecological immunology at Oxford, gained expertise in genetic analyses and in developing aptamers for targeted therapy, and acquired a strong clinical skillset in complex medical dermatology. I have published and presented research on turning mature B cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); uncovered the genetic basis of abnormal nuclear receptor transactivation in xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy; described the genomic landscape of cutaneous B cell lymphomas; and characterized the nasal, gut, and skin microbiomes of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Most recently, at Northwestern, I have applied my skillsets in translational and clinical research by studying the microbiome and skin biomarkers of inflammatory skin diseases and cancers and harnessing this knowledge for improved diagnosis and therapeutics. With cutaneous lymphomas, we have an outstanding model to better understand how the tumor-host-microbial interaction drives disease evolution and progression. I aim to push the boundaries of dermatologic care by pioneering innovative new treatments.

Research Interests:

The Perez White laboratory is interested in signaling networks that govern epidermal homeostasis. Specifically, we are interested in receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated mechanisms that dictate the de novo assembly and functional integrity of the epidermal barrier system. The barrier function of the epidermis is indispensable and often dysregulated in skin diseases. We use 3D skin organoids and ex vivo explant cultures to identify key signal transduction mechanisms that drive the physiological state and how these pathways may be hijacked to contribute to pathological states.