Training Opportunities
The department provides a variety of training opportunities,
including some positions that are supported by our NIH Training
Grant, and others that are not. These opportunities are designed
for medical students, dermatology residents, and postdoctoral
fellows Restrictions imposed by NIH limit the postdoctoral fellowship
positions funded by the Training Grant to US citizens and permanent
residents. However, additional positions, funded through other
mechanisms, are available for qualified individuals who do not
fall into either of these categories. As of January, 2001, the
research activities within the department encompass the following
themes:
- Molecular characterization of skin responses to ultraviolet
light, with emphasis on signaling pathways controlling collagen
biosynthesis and degradation (Drs. Gary
Fisher and John
Voorhees).
- Molecular characterization of abnormal signaling pathways
in non-melanoma skin cancer, with emphasis on patched / hedgehog
signaling (Dr.
Andrzej Dlugosz) and ErbB signaling (Dr.
James Elder).
- Translational skin disease research, with emphasis
on clinical / basic science correlations in immunomodulatory
and ultraviolet light therapies (Dr.
Sewon Kang).
- Epidemiology of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer,
with emphasis on development of evidence-based treatment algorithms
(Dr.
Timothy Johnson).
- Genetics of multifactorial skin disorders, with emphasis
on linkage analysis and positional cloning of psoriasis susceptibility
genes (Dr. James Elder).
- Biochemistry of matrix metalloproteinases, with emphasis
on their role in connective tissue damage in skin disease (Dr.
James Varani)
While the emphasis in our program is in the intradepartmental
training environment, trainees are strongly encouraged to interact
with members of any department in the medical center to obtain
specific advice and training to solve a specific problem.