Core Investigation

The core investigation component of the "3 cores" puts emphasize on the importance of research. The Chairman, Program Director and Faculty encourage the pursuit of research. Residents are required to select an annual research (scholarly) topic in conjunction with a department faculty member, and to prepare a manuscript. All residents are required to perform one research project during each year of their residency in order to be qualified to advance to their next year of training. This can take the form of a case report, case series, review, book chapter, online web-based educational material (exception is that the required dermatopathology web case which does not count - http://dermpath.upmc.edu) or clinical trial with the goal of submission to a peer-reviewed journal. All research projects must proceed under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Residents are assigned protected academic time to pursue research interests. It is expected that this time will be supplemented by additional effort in "off-hours" to achieve research goals.

Each resident will be required to complete (to the faculty mentor's satisfaction) a manuscript report for peer review publication prior to the end of each academic year of residency (3 manuscripts over 3 years) to satisfy graduation requirements. The status of the resident project will be reviewed and evaluated routinely by the Program Director to ensure progress toward completion of the research requirement. Residents in the UPMCMEP in Dermatology Program are provided protected academic time (generally 1/2 day per week). This time is protected to provide residents with an opportunity to pursue an educational project (i.e. lecture development, presentations, research). The protected time for the residents is intended to help residents enhance their residency experience. Protected time is contingent on acceptable progress toward completion of the annual resident research project described above. In addition, any delinquencies in meeting required program assignments (duty logs, surgical logs, journal club and grand round protocols, compliance testing) may result in a penalty of losing academic time. This is at the Program Director's discretion. No academic time is given to residents on inpatient consults or dermatopathology rotations.

Elective Tracks for Academic Dermatologist

Goal: To provide mentoring and support to senior dermatology residents with an interest in pursuing an academic career.

Optional Tracks:

Clinician-Scientist Track

  • Goals:
    • To prepare for a career as a clinician with a strong focus on laboratory-based investigation
    • Provide strong clinical and research mentoring
    • Develop a publication track record that will make trainee competitive for NIH or similar research funding
  • Structure:
    • Traditional "2+2" program
    • 2 years of clinical dermatology residency
    • 2 years with approximately 20% of time spent seeing patients, 80% of time spent in laboratory-based investigation

Clinician-Educator/Investigator Track

  • Goals:
    • To prepare for a career as an academic clinician with a focus on education or clinical investigation
    • To provide strong mentoring and career guidance
    • To develop a program tailored to the career interests of the resident that will provide clinical training in an area of interest
    • To provide trainee with guidance and support to perform and publish clinical research within area of interest
  • Structure:
    • Year 1: clinical dermatology residency
    • Year 2: devise a mentoring committee, present clinical and research training plan, prepare for research project (IRB approval, etc)
    • Year 3: clinical training in general dermatology and area of interest, time for research

Resident Publications: 2004-present

2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007

2004:

  • Lin P, English JC. Topical treatment of xeroderma pigmentosum. Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2004; 29(8): 512-4
  • Fulchiero GJ Jr, Parham-Vetter PC, Obagi S. Subcision and 1320-nm Nd:YAG nonablative laser resurfacing for the treatment of acne scars: a simultaneous split-face single patient trial. Dermatologic Surgery 2004;30(10):1356-59; discussion 1360.
  • Patton, Timothy, Kress, Doug. Light therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Cosmetic Dermatology 2004;17(6).
  • Patton T, Zirwas M, Nieland-Fisher N, and Jukic D. Inflammation of seborrheic keratoses caused by cytarabine: a pseudo sign of Leser-Trelat. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Sept/Oct 2004. 3(5): 565-66.
  • Zirwas MJ. Kress DW. Deng JS. The utility of antihistone antibody screening in the diagnosis of drug-induced lupus erythematosus. [Letter] Archives of Dermatology. 140(4):494-5, 2004 Apr. UI: 15096389
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2005:

  • Ferris LK, Jukic D, English JC III, Zirwas MJ. Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid caused by a generic Canadian medication obtained over the internet. Archives of Dermatology 2005;141:1474-5.
  • Kranendonk SK, Ferris LK, Obagi S. Re: Botulinum toxin for the treatment of facial flushing. Dermatologic Surgery 2005;31(4):491;author reply 492.
  • Whalen JG, Gehris RP, Kress DW, English JC III. Surgical Pearl: Instrument tamponade for punch biopsy of the scalp. JAAD 2005;52(2):347-8.
  • Khera P, Koo JY. A review of the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of topical and oral retinoids for both cutaneous and internal neoplasms. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2005;4(4):432-46.
  • Koo JY, Khera P. Update on the mechanisms and efficacy of biological therapies for psoriasis. Journal of Dermatological Science 2005;38(2):75-87.
  • Khera P, Zirwas MJ, English JC III. Diffuse gingival enlargement. JAAD 2005;52:491-9.
  • Rofagha R, Zirwas MJ. Painful edema of the cheek. Dermatitis 2005;16(3):145-6.
  • Sanfilippo, Angela. Resistant scalp folliculitis secondary to demodex infestation. Cutis 2005;76(5):321-4
  • Vujevich J, Zirwas MJ. Treatment of severe, recalcitrant, major aphthous stomatitis with adalimumab. Cutis 2005;76(2):129-32.
  • Whalen JG, Jukic DM, English JC III. Rash and pancytopenia as initial manifestations of acute graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation. JAAD 2005;52(5):908-12.
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2006:

  • Izikson L., English JC III, Zirwas MJ. The Flushing Patient: differential diagnosis, workup and treatment. JAAD 2006;55:193-208.
  • Izikson L, English JC III. Non-infectious granulomatous diseases: an update. Advances in Dermatology 2006;22:31-53.
  • Lee PL, Lourduraj LT, Paldo III MJ, Jukic DM, English JC III. Hereditary basaloid follicular Hamartoma syndrome. Cutis 2006;78:42-6.
  • Paley K, Geskin LJ, Zirwas MJ. Cutaneous B-cell pseudolymphoma due to paraphenylenediamine. American Journal of Dermatopathology 2006;28(5):438-41.
  • Patton, Timothy. IgG4 as the predominant IgG subclass in pemphigoides gestationis. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 2006;33(4):299-302.
  • Patton T, Korman NJ. Bullous pemphigoid treatment review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2006;7(17):2403-11.
  • Roper CA, English JC III. Tumid lupus erythematosus: an unusual scleredema-like presentation. SKINmed 2006;5(2):92-4.
  • Sanfilippo A, English JC III. An overview of medicated shampoos used in dandruff treatment. Pharmacy & Therapeutics 2006;31:396-400.
  • Patel N,. Spencer LA, English JC III. Acquired Ichthyosis. JAAD 2006;55:647-56.
  • Vujevich J, Obagi S. Repair of partial earlobe cleft using a "purse-string" repair. Dermatologic Surgery 2006;32(7):969-71.
  • Whalen JG, English JC III. Case study on linear focal elastosis. Dermatology Nursing 2006;18(5):469-71.
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2007:

  • Casey AS, Ferris LK. Facial photoaging treated with salicylic acid-enhanced Photodynamic therapy. Cosmetic Dermatology 2007;20(10):646.
  • Casey AS, Obagi S. Vascular malformation of the tongue treated with transmucosal Nd:YAG Laser. Cosmetic Dermatology 2007;20(10):650.
  • Casey AS, Gehris RP. A 9-month-old girl with an isolated sessile growth on her perineum. Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology 2007;20(1):185-6.
  • Haught JM, Patel S, English JC III. Xanthoderma: a clinical review. JAAD 2007;57:1051-8.
  • Balesteire E, Haught JM, English JC 3rd . Multiple Subcutaneous Lipomas induced by HARRT in the Absence of Protease Inhibitors. Arch Dermatol 2007;143:1596-97.
  • Velez N, Khera P, English JC III. Eyebrow Loss: Clinical Review. Am Journal Clin Dermatol 2007;8:337-346.
  • Paley K, McSorley J, Asmi F, Geskin LJ. Painful ulcer on the breast. Dermatology Online Journal 2007;13(2):23.
  • Paley K, Obagi S. Temporal brow-lift with botulinum toxin Type A: review of existing methods and description of an easy and reliable method to achieve a lateral temporal brow-lift. Cosmetic Dermatology 2007;20(10):655.
  • Crowley RS, Legowski E, Medvedeva O, Tseytlin E, Roh E, Jukic D. Evaluation of an intelligent tutoring system in pathology: effects of external representation of performance gains, metacognition, and acceptance. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 2007;14(2):182-90.
  • Spencer L, Obagi S. Cosmetic Dermatologic Skin Care: The essence of our training. Cosmetic Dermatology 2007;20(10):663.
  • Van Exel CE, English JC III. Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp and nonscalp. JAAD 2007;57:S11-4.
  • Vujevich J, Goldberg LH, Obagi S. Repair of partial and complete earlobe clefts: a review of 21 methods. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2007;6(7):695-9.
  • Vujevich J, Zirwas MJ. Delayed hypersensitivity to isopropyl alcohol. Contact Dermatitis 2007;56(5):287.
  • Whalen JG, Mully TW, English JC III. Spontaneous Citrobacter freundii infection in an immunocompetent patient. Archives of Dermatology 2007;143(1):124-5.
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Resident Presentations: 2004-present

2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

2004:

  • Izikson, Leonid, Androgen Receptor Expression Helps to Differentiate BCC from Benign Trichoblastic Tumors. American Society of Dermatopathololgy Meeting, Boston, MA, September, 2004.
  • Lamb, P. IgG4 anti-basement membrane zone antibody is the first as well as the last antibody in prodromal Bullous pemphigoid. Society for Investigative Dermatology 2004.
  • Paley K, English J, Kim B, Falo L, Geskin L. Successful Treatment of Histologically Aggressive CD8+ Mycosis Fungoides with Methotrexate. American Academy of Dermatology July, 2004, abstract.
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2005:

  • Ferris, Laura K. An Unusual Case of Drug-Induced Bulbous Pemphigoid, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Farmington, PA, October 2005.
  • Gehris R. IgA pemphigus with a paraneoplastic staining pattern in a 13 year-old female. American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans, LA, Feb 2005.
  • Izikson, Leonid. Androgen Receptor Staining of Periocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Sibaceous Carcinoma. Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology Meeting, Philadelphia, PA September 2005.
  • Lin P. Lupus erythematosus and Lichen planus overlap syndrome. American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans, LA, February 2005.
  • Geskin L, Paley K, Kingston A, Dixon K, Whiteside T, Falo L. Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. SID 5/2005, abstract
  • Patton T, Geskin L, Paley K, Donnenberg V, Donnenberg A, Falo L. Dendritic cell based immunotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma correlates with a clonal expansion of CD8+ T-cells. SID 5/2005, abstract
  • Roper, C. Scleredema-like tumid lupus erythematosus. Selected for presentation at the AAD annual meeting Feb 2005 in New Orleans, LA.
  • Van Exel C. Keratoacanthoma-like presentation of cutaneous carcoidosis. American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans, LA, February 2005.
  • Vujevich, Justin. Melanoma Presentation. American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Vujevich J. Histopathology is a reliable measure for diagnosing secondary syphilis in HIV-seropositive patients. Selected for presentation at the AAD annual meeting Feb 2005 in New Orleans, LA.
  • Whalen J. Linear focal elastosis. American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans, LA, February 2005.
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2006:

  • Ferris, Laura K. Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells by Human Beta Difensin 3. Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, May 2006.
  • Ferris, Laura K. Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells by Human Beta Difensin 3. American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. April, 2006. Washington, DC.
  • Izikson, Leonid. Acute Eruption of Generalized Granuloma Annulare Associated with Interferon Therapy of Melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology Meeting, San Francisco, CA, February 2006.
  • Lin, Peggy. Cutaneous Dipitheriod Infection in an Immmunocompromised host. Annual American Academy of Dermatology, 2006
  • Paley K, Geskin L, Zirwas M. Cutaneous B-cell Pseudolymphoma Due to Paraphenylenediamine. ACDS 3/2006, abstract
  • Sanfilippo, Angela. Agminated Spitz Nevus, Gross & Microscopic. American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
  • Simpson, Joanne. SCC of the ears of a patient with discoid lupus, Gross & Microscopic. American Academy of Dermatology Meeting, San Francisco, CA 2006.
  • Spencer LA. Gap junctions in skin disease. Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, October 2006.
  • Van Exel, Corrie. Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp and Non-Scalp.Submitted to JAAD 2006.
  • Vujevich, Justin. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Ethyl Alcohol. American Academy of Dermatology. 2006
  • Whalen, Jason. Spontaneous Citrobacter Fruendii Infection in an Immunocompetent patient.Gross and Microscopic. American Academy of Dermatology, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
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2007:

  • Haught J, Patton T. Carcinoma ex Eccrine Spiradenocylindroma: Case report and review of the literature. Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, October 2007.
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2008:

  • Khera P, English JC,III. Concurrent Punctate Keratosis of the Palmar Creases and Focal Acral Hyperkeratosis. Poster American Academy of Dermatology, February 2007.
  • Paley K, Jukic, D, English, J C, III. Cowden Syndrome.Poster American Academy of Dermatology, January 2008.
  • Roh E, Patton T. Cutaneous Presentation of Wegner's granulomatosis. Gross and Microscopic American Academy of Dermatology, January 2008.
  • Spencer L, McSorley J, Ho J, Jukic D. PTLD in kidney transplantation. Gross and Microscopic American Academy of Dermatology, January 2008.
  • Haught J, Patton T. Transfusion associated GvHD. Gross and Microscopic American Academy of Dermatology, January 2008.
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