Research
UPCOMING RESEARCH PROJECT IN PROGRESS
Date |
Topic |
Presenter (s) |
|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2026 |
Presenting: Increased ELISA sensitivity for bullous pemphigoid serology
Presenting: Empowering UV Risk-reduction through Engagement, Knowledge, and Action in Kids (EUREKA) |
Jeremy Snook & Tammy Stump |
PREVIOUS RESEARCH PROJECT IN PROGRESS
Date |
Topic |
Presenter (s) |
|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2026 |
Zach Hopkins: The relationship between serum IgE and IgE autoantibodies on pemphigoid subtype, phenotype, and disease characteristics Robert Judson-Torres: Acquisition of a Dynamic BRN2: MYC Dichotomous Switch Permits Interconversion Between Distinct Therapeutic Resistant and Tumorigenic Phenotypes in Melanoma |
Zach Hopkins & Robert Judson-Torres |
| April 20, 2026 | Advancement as it applies to research | Alex Phillips |
| March 20, 2026 | Sensory Gates of the Gut: Decoding Epithelial-Microbial Dialogues in Food Allergy | Guest: Emmanuel Victor, MD |
| January 30, 2026 | Publishing with Confidence: Best Practice for Image Use and Consent & Considerations for Writing Patient Case Reports | Lauren Madigan | MD, CiCi Topham | MD |
| June 19, 2026 | AI Tools and Resources for Research and Writing | Brandon Patterson & Callie Reed |
Date |
Topic |
Presenter (s) |
|---|---|---|
| November 21, 2025 | Health Services Research on Dermatology Outreach Topics: evolution, results, and struggles | Bethany Lewis |
| September 19, 2025 | Pre-Award Support/Library Resources | Joy Blatchford/Alfred Mowdood |
| August 15, 2025 | CCET community engagement services | Brandy Westwood |
| June 20, 2025 | Strategies for Navigating Uncertain Times | Dr. Jake Van Epps |
| May 23, 2025 | Commercialization at the U of U Explore University Resources for Research Commercialization and Career Growth | Jim Hotaling |
| April 18, 2025 | Practical toolbox: IRB resources and tips and reference software overview | Adrienne Evans, Nena Schvaneveldt |
| March 21, 2025 | Lightening talks | Dr. Feng, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Florell |
| February 21, 2025 | Pursuing Department of Defense Funding Opportunities: The Emergent Capabilities of the University of Utah's New Applied Medical Engineering (AME) Lab | Jim McDonough |
| January 17, 2025 | Developing Your Career and Research Interest as a Clinician | Gita Suneja |
Mission
Our Mission
Our research mission is to build the scientific knowledge base in dermatology and allied fields so that people suffer less and experience optimal health.
We also seek to attain national and international recognition as a leader in clinical, translational, and basic science research in dermatology.
Focus Areas
Oncological Dermatology is an interdisciplinary field encompassing the entire spectrum of cutaneous malignancies—bridging molecular genetics and tumor biology with precision diagnosis, surgical intervention, supportive care for therapy-induced toxicities, and behavioral strategies for skin cancer prevention and screening. These faculty are affiliated with Oncological Dermatology: Rob Judson-Torres, Doug Grossman, Dekker Deacon, Martin McMahon, Yelena Wu, Tammy Stump, Lauren Madigan, Alice Frigerio
Epidemiological Dermatology is a population health-focused discipline that integrates biostatistics, health economics, and behavioral science to analyze the distribution, risk factors, and real-world outcomes of skin disease—aiming to optimize health equity, improve quality of life metrics, refine clinical research methodology, and expand access to dermatologic care.These faculty are affiliated with Oncological Dermatology: Zachary Hopkins, Bing Feng, Yelena Wu, Tammy Stump, Aaron Secrest, Bethany Lewis, Scott Florell
Clinical Trials in dermatology are rigorously controlled, human-centered studies designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, real-world effectiveness, and patient-reported outcomes of novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and health behavior strategies for skin conditions across diverse populations.These faculty are affiliated with Clinical Trials:
Allergy and Immunology is an integrative subspecialty within cutaneous medicine dedicated to unraveling the cellular, eosinophilic, and immune-mediated mechanisms of complex hypersensitivities, allergic diseases, immunodeficiencies, and autoimmune blistering conditions to advance targeted immunotherapies, diagnostic testing, and comprehensive patient care.These faculty are affiliated with Allergy and Immunology:
Digital imaging is an advanced clinical and investigative discipline that leverages high-resolution total-body mole mapping, dermoscopy, non-invasive diagnostic tools, and digital dermatopathology to enhance early detection of cutaneous malignancies, track disease progression, and transform patient surveillance. These faculty are affiliated with Digital imaging:
Collaborations between departments
Summary of Research Wins & Department Achievements
Summary of Research Wins & Department Achievements
How We Support Research
Collaborative research community
- A monthly research seminar for faculty to share their research and further develop research skills. Email Justin Martin to receive the Outlook invites.
- A strong culture of mentoring and collaboration.
- A research advisory group to discuss, provide feedback on, and help to resource faculty’s research ideas and projects.
Research implementation
- Regulatory support (e.g., IRB submissions)
- Clinical trials unit
- Administrative support to faculty on budget creation and negotiations with industry sponsors.
- Senior clinical research coordinator and 5 additional study coordinators to help run clinical trials.
- Support on establishing Data and Material Transfer Agreements with external institutions and collaborators
- Established partnerships with key university resources that support faculty and their research (e.g., Huntsman Cancer Institute, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, commercialization office, centralized pre-award grant submission support).
Research development
- Seed grants to fund pilot studies and research projects
- Research development grants to support faculty participation in research-focused professional development
- Funds to support professional scientific writing, editing, and review of scientific products and grants
- For grant development, access to a grant repository, and pre-and post-award support
Departmental Research Resources
Med Student and Trainee Resources
- National Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) website that lists research fellowships available nationally: https://derminterest.wordpress.com/research/
- National Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) page that describes how to get involved in derm research as a student: https://derminterest.wordpress.com/more-information/
- We have developed a number of resources for students in a shared Google Drive distributed to UDIG members: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rxyqWa2-bdvceBIkUmlTlW205znRCnUL?sort=13&direction=a
Resources include:
- A list of conferences with abstract submission deadlines
- Slides from the UDIG Research Lecture Series
- Guidelines for the student research fund
- An Excel sheet outlining various funding sources
MEET OUR TEAM
Dr. Wu serves as Vice-Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology. In this role, her goal is to support the department’s research and discovery mission by enhancing the overall research climate of the department and support the engagement of departmental faculty in research. Dr. Wu is eager to connect with Department members and others who are interested in collaborating on research and related initiatives.
Courtney Carroll is a research associate with a MS in genetics. She supports the office of the Vice Chair of Research in a number of ways including through furthering departmental research initiatives, compiling research-related resources, and tracking research outcomes.
Justin Martin is the assistant to the Vice Chair of Research. He oversees the Dermatology Summer Research Program, coordinates the monthly research seminar, and contributes to a wide range of departmental and research-related initiatives.
Courtney Carroll is a research associate with a MS in genetics. She supports the office of the Vice Chair of Research in a number of ways including through furthering departmental research initiatives, compiling research-related resources, and tracking research outcomes.
Justin Martin is the assistant to the Vice Chair of Research. He oversees the Dermatology Summer Research Program, coordinates the monthly research seminar, and contributes to a wide range of departmental and research-related initiatives.
Dr. Wu serves as Vice-Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology. In this role, her goal is to support the department’s research and discovery mission by enhancing the overall research climate of the department and support the engagement of departmental faculty in research. Dr. Wu is eager to connect with Department members and others who are interested in collaborating on research and related initiatives.
RESEARCH FACULTY
- Yelena Wu, PhD - Vice Chair of Research
- Bing-Jian Feng, PhD
- Robert Judson-Torres, PhD
- Martin McMahon, PhD
- Jeremy Snook, PhD
- Tammy Stump, PhD
- Adriana Andreae, MD, PhD
- Elise Burger, MD, PhD
- Margaret Cocks, MD, PhD
- Dekker Deacon, MD, PhD
- Hannah Duffey, MD
- Kristina Callis Duffin, MD, MS
- Scott Florell, MD
- Alice Frigerio, MD, PhD
- Gerald Gleich, MD
- Doug Grossman, MD, PhD
- Zachary Hopkins, MD
- Mark Hyde, PhD, PA-C
- Kristen Leiferman, MD
- Bethany Lewis, MD, MPH
- Lauren Madigan, MD
- Erik Newman, MD
- Jonathan Olsen, DO
- Jamie Rhoads, MD
- Mili Shum, MD
- John Zone, MD
- Stephanie Zone, MD