Research

Our program is fortunate to be affiliated with some of the best-funded dermatology research programs in the nation.  Residents have the opportunity to work with faculty mentors for their clinical and research electives.  Residents may also commit to a special track program during their third-year of training, as approved by the American Board of Dermatology, which allows them to pursue their basic research interests in a postdoctoral capacity.  Below is a list of some resources available to our residents:

  • Wellman Center for Photomedicine is one of the world's foremost research facilities in this field. These laboratories offer an interdisciplinary approach to basic and applied research emphasizing basic photobiology, laser technology, and tissue reactions. 

  • The MGH/Harvard Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC) is a multidisciplinary research group conducting fundamental research relevant to the structure and function of the skin and cutaneous biology. It was established in 1989 with support from a grant from Shiseido Co., Ltd. of Japan. 

  • The Department of Dermatology Research Laboratories at Brigham and Women's Hospital including the Harvard Skin Disease Research Center (HSDRC) was established in 1994 with funding from the National Institutes of Health. The mission is to conduct research on the pathogenesis of skin disease. 

  • Clinical Unit for Research Trials in Skin (CURTIS) is located at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to investigating quality of life issues, CURTIS conducts a wide range of clinical studies evaluating new therapies for a broad spectrum of skin diseases. 

  • Center for Connected Health is located within Partners HealthCare and translates across multiple subspecialties to provide quality care outside of traditional medical settings.  Clinical research within the Center supports and promotes these activities.

  • Clinical Laboratory for Epidemiology and Applied Research in Skin (CLEARS) is housed within the Department of Dermatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. CLEARS conducts research and clinical trials on inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.

These research programs often crossover into other disciplines, making this a unique setting for discovery of therapeutic advances with broad-reaching benefits. State-of-the-art research in cutaneous biology, photobiology, and skin diseases are important components of these programs.

There are many other clinical research activities taking place at our affiliated institutions.  An up-to-date list can be found here.