180.11 Research in Dermatology
180.11 Dermatology
Elective Director: Rhoda Alani, MD
Instructors: Dermatology Faculty
Email: dermtrng@bu.edu
Telephone: 617-358-9700
Description of Elective:
The elective is designed to give interested students an in-depth exposure to laboratory and clinical research. Ongoing work includes studies of stem cells, cellular growth control, epigenetics, mechanisms of cellular aging, controls of melanogenesis and cell-cell interaction in the skin. Most studies involve use of human skin-derived cells and molecular biology techniques. Prior laboratory experience is desirable for basic science research. The elective is not limited to basic science. It could be focused on patient-based clinical research or psychosocial projects. This elective is available for either 8 or 12 weeks blocks.
Students interested in registering for this elective should first identify an area of research interest and a faculty member to directly discuss research opportunities. The following faculty members currently have research opportunities for medical students. Please click on the links below for more in-depth information on each faculty members research interests and contact information.
Research Faculty:
| Principal Investigator | Research Interest(s) | Contact Info |
| Rhoda Alani, MD | Basic and translational studies in melanoma aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of this disease with a particular focus on epigenetic pathways associated with disease progression | alani@bu.edu |
| Jag Bhawan, MD | Dermatopathology, disorder of pigmentation, photoaging | bhawan@bu.edu |
| Lynne Goldberg, MD | Alopecia, dermatopathology | lynngold@bu.edu |
| Vyacheslav Labunskky, PhD | Yeast physiology and longevity models | vlabuns@bu.edu |
| Christina Lam, MD | Rheumatology- and dermatology-linked disease processes | cslam@bu.edu |
| Allison Larson, MD | Projects and papers related to Medical Education | arlarson@bu.edu |
| Margaret Lee, MD, PhD | Students are welcome to meet with Dr. Lee, particularly if they have an interest in pediatrics and/or pediatric dermatology, to explore research projects and/or clinical experiences in the major categories:
There are also opportunities to become involved in patient support and nonprofit programs (e.g. Camp Discovery, Comfortable in Our Skin) or to develop your own medical student outreach projects with Dr. Lee under the auspices of the BUSM Creative Arts Society. |
marglee@bu.edu |
| Tania Phillips, MD | Wound healing, the effect of wound dressings, bioengineered skin therapy | tphill@bu.edu |
| Debjani Sahni, MD | Clinical research related to aspects of cutaneous oncology: malignant melanoma, cutaneous lymphoma, non-melanoma skin cancer.The research format encompasses epidemiological studies and clinicopathological studies. | dsahni@bu.edu |
| Andrey Sharov, MD, PhD | Epigenetics and cell growth | drsharov@bu.edu |
| Neelam Vashi, MD | Ethnic skin and cosmetic dermatology | nvashi@bu.edu |