Our Fellows

Chronic wounds are a common problem that can result from vascular disease, diabetes, or prolonged pressure. Dr. Carter’s project aims to dissect the function of EZH2 in the proliferation to migration switch in wound healing, and to develop a system to topically deliver EZH2 inhibitors, restoring normal keratinocyte migration in chronic wounds.

Dr. Flesher’s research project focuses on characterizing the role of G9a inhibition in the context of melanoma immunotherapy, including the impact on the immune response, as well as identify and characterize a synthetic lethal relationship with ARID1A and ARID2 mutations with G9a inhibition.

Dr. Lo’s research project focuses on characterizing tissue organization in skin cancers and pre-cancers using single cell spatially resolved transcriptomics. Her project includes three aims: 1) optimize spatial transcriptomics methods for application to skin tissue, 2) apply these methods to mapping cell types and states in normal skin, and 3) characterize the interactions between immune cells and atypical, pre-malignant, or malignant cells in patients with skin cancers and pre-cancers.

Dr. Smith’s research project focuses on leveraging state-of-the-art biochemical and biophysical techniques with traditional molecular pharmacology approaches to probe if biased agonists differentially form Gi:β-arrestin complexes. And, to also define the minimal cellular components necessary to form Gi:β-arrestin complexes. He is the recipient of the 2023 Dermatology Foundation Investigator Research Fellowship.

Dr. Crisler’s project centers on understanding the unique mechanisms of T cell mediated rejection in vascular composite allografts (VCA) like face and limb transplants. The goal is to find novel therapies for these vulnerable patients who suffer recurrent episodes of rejection. He is the recipient of the 2023 Dermatology Foundation Career Development Award.