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:

1. Molecular characterization of skin responses to ultraviolet light, with emphasis on signaling pathways controlling collagen biosynthesis and degradation (Drs. Gary Fisher and John Voorhees).
   
   
2. 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).
   
   
3. Epidemiology of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, with emphasis on development of evidence-based treatment algorithms (Dr. Timothy Johnson).
   
   
4. Genetics of multifactorial skin disorders, with emphasis on linkage analysis and positional cloning of psoriasis susceptibility genes (Dr. James Elder).
   
   
5. 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.