DIG 2026-2027 Officers

DIG 2026-2027 Officers

President

Alekhya Gurram

Vice President

Jun Park

Secretary

Zainab Yousaf

Research

Chair: Andrew Spires

Committee: Sara Morakabian, Cutler Cannon

Stay Shady

Chair: Suzanne Sajid

Committee: Braxton Shaw, Presley Limon 

Education

Chair: Amna Sidiq

Committee: Isabelle Bergman, Elizabeth McCarthy 

Fundraising

Chair: Smiti Gandhi 

Committee: Kassianna Elizondo 

Melanoma Walk

Chair: Matthew De La Garza

Committee: Emma Chen, Stephanie Rivera-Ithier

Psoriasis Walk

Chair: Ria Kanotra

UTMB MS2 Conducts Original Historical Research on Frederic Mohs, MD

This past month, Jun Park (UTMB MS2) traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to conduct primary historic research within the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Collection. During his visit, he examined Dr. Frederic Mohs' early laboratory notebooks and archival materials documenting the development of Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Over 200 pages of notes and images were collected and are currently being organized to support project development. These materials provide valuable insight into Dr. Mohs' early work, including tissue fixation methods and the evolution of en face processing. 

This trip was fully funded by the endowed fund related to the Mohs collection. His project mentor is Richard F. Wagner Jr., MD, UTMB Professor Dermatology.

UTMB Medical Student Honors Research Program (MSHRP) in Dermatology Transitioning

UTMB Dermatology Faculty have actively participated in mentoring our medical students in the MSHRP since 2001 with the last student completing the program in 2026. In the future, the program will transition into the High Impact Basic Science and Clinical Research Scholarly Concentration. During the past 25 years of MSHRP, 40 UTMB medical students completed the program, with a high number going on to dermatology residency programs and currently practicing dermatology or one of its subspecialties. More details to follow.

Galveston’s 20th Annual Steps Against Melanoma Walk

Galveston’s 20th Annual Steps Against Melanoma Walk is happening on April 25th from 9am-12pm. There will be a raffle and skincare freebies for everyone attending! If you’re interested in helping out with this event, please sign up using this volunteer form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAVzTyo5QsW0W5sxK0JdFSOOOQMO2wRVH2dUu5DfUJLFreAA/viewform

 

Please also register for the walk on the following website if you're interested in attending, wanting to raise money, or want to start a campaign page: https://support.aimatmelanoma.org/event/steps-against-melanoma-galveston-2026/e756370

 

Reach out to Lynchi Nguyen if you have any questions!

DIG Officer Applications 2026-2027

DIG is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 officer positions! We are transitioning from an election-based process to an application-based selection process.

Application Details: 

• Interested applicants may apply using the following form: https://forms.gle/3VdM1ekMaM67QhX9A 

• Applicants may apply for a maximum of three positions

• To be eligible, applicants must have been involved with the DIG over the past academic year by attending at least one in-person or virtual meeting 

• Elected officers will be chosen anonymously by the current President and Vice President

Updates to Positions:

• A new Fundraising Chair position and committee have been introduced

• The Dermatology-Rheumatology Pharmacy Lead and Dermatology-Rheumatology Pharmacy Intern positions have been discontinued as DIG officer positions and will be no longer be available

Important Dates:

• Applications due: Friday, April 17 at 11:59 PM

• Notifications released: Monday, April 20

Additional Information:

• Officer roles descriptions can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bQs5H_BLNvUHoI8Xlo7yFwLzxHPhfbuJ7e24RrgC-8E/edit?usp=sharing

• For questions about specific roles, please contact current officers listed here: https://digutmb.blogspot.com/2025/04/dig-2025-26-election-results.html

UTMB DERMATOLOGY RESEARCH GUIDELINES

1. All research with our department should be reviewed by Dr. Kristen Kay. This means that she is the first person any medical student must contact before starting research that involves our residents or faculty. An exception will be made when faculty or residents have a project with specific medical students.
2. Priority will be given to MS3s/rising MS4s and those who are part of the UTMB DIG. Of course, MS1s and MS2s will be given opportunity as well. Please identify by name and MS year when sending emails.
3. Medical students should contact Dr. Kay with a defined research idea and at least 3 references on which their research will be based on.
4. If the research project uses the TriNetX database, it must only include one medical student.
5. Unless it is an urgent matter, students must contact Dr. Kay via email, and only on non-holiday Friday afternoons.
6. If a project is intended for a poster/presentation at a conference, it must be started at least 2 months before the submission deadline.
7. Progress on research must be reported every 2 weeks to faculty and residents involved. 
8. Once the research project is approved, all parties will be notified and it will be a Department of Dermatology project, failure to meet quality standards and/or deadlines may result in dismissal of the student from the project.
9. If multiple medical students are involved, they must decide on specific tasks for each student for the project and report it to the faculty, residents involved, and Dr. Kay. 

UTMB MS3 Publishes in SKIN

Congratulations to Luke Hamilton (MS3) for his recent publication, “A Rare Case of Superficial CD34+ Fibroblastic tumor: A Case Report” in SKIN. His coauthors are Antonio “Tony” Jimenez (dermatopathology fellow) and Anthony Linfante (assistant professor).

 

A Rare Case of Superficial CD34+ Fibroblastic Tumor: A Case Report. J of Skin. 2026;10(2):3017-3021. doi:10.25251/4trefx65

UTMB Medical Students and Dermatopathology Fellow Publish in SKIN

Congratulation to Luke Hamilton (MS3) for his recent publication on healthcare gaps within the field of dermatology to SKIN. His publication is titled “Closing Gaps in Dermatologic Care for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Practical Strategies for Training, Advocacy, and Person-Centered Practice” and his coauthors are Whitney Harrell (MS3), Daniel Cho (MS2), Antonio “Tony” Jimenez (dermatopathology fellow), and Lindy Ross (assistant professor).

 

Closing Gaps in Dermatologic Care for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Practical Strategies for Training, Advocacy, and Person-Centered Practice. J of Skin. 2026;10(2):2956-2965. doi:10.25251/z8cg8a17

Dermatology Chief Residents for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Medical Student Chief: Dr. Travis Dowdle

Friday Academics Chief: Dr. Benjamin Garcia

Morning Academics Chief: Dr. Kristin Geh

Scheduling Chief: Dr. Alyssa Hansen

Research Chief: Dr. Emily Kay 

Wellness Chief: Dr. Marie Vu

We are looking forward to working with you!

UTMB Dermatology Research Presented at 2026 Annual American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in Denver

Please join DIG in congratulating all UTMB faculty, residents, and medical students at the American Academy of Dermatology 2026 Annual Meeting hosted in Denver, Colorado from March 27-30th!

 

JAAD GAME CHANGERS

 

Benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment is not associated with an increased risk of malignancy: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Garate D, Thang CJ, Lai J, Golovko G, Wilkerson MG, Barbieri JS. 

This session recognizes the top ten articles over the last 2 years published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) that have impacted clinical practice in dermatology. Christopher was the only medical student presenter: https://meetings.aad.org/AM2026/Sessions/Details/17819

 

AWARDS

 

2nd Place Poster Presentation: 

Comparative risk of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients on immunomodulators. Madelyn Schmidt, Travis S. Dowdle, Georgiy Golovko, Ayezel Munoz.

This project was featured in an article in Dermatology Times, which highlighted the findings of all award-winning posters presented at AAD.

https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/award-winning-aad-posters-highlight-emerging-therapies

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

 

Hidden in plain sight: microbial contamination of everyday dermatology tools. Antonio Jimenez, Luke Hamilton, Victor Teran, Kaitlyn Streight, Alyssa Hansen, David Garate, Janice M. Wilson, Brandon P. Goodwin. 

 

Comparative risk of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients on immunomodulators. Madelyn Schmidt, Travis S. Dowdle, Georgiy Golovko, Ayezel Munoz.

 

An In Silico Investigation of the Laminin Gene Family in the Genetic Architecture of Hidradenitis Suppurativa A Meta-Analysis of Over 1.15 Million Individuals Finds No Evidence of Association Between Common Variants in the Laminin Gene Family and Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Sebastian Certuche, Emily Kay, Kathleen Kroger.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

 

Non-melanoma skin cancer risk among transplant patients: a large real-world comparison of immunosuppressive regimens. Antonio Jimenez, Luke Hamilton, Michael Wilkerson. 

 

Pediatric Acrochordons and Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from the TriNetX Database. Sarah Muir, Mary Cavanagh, Juan Pinto-Cuberos, Brent Kelly.

 

Fracture Risk Following Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Kassianna Elizondo, Varun Trivedi, Casey Brusen, William M Weiss.

 

Glass Slide Compression Technique Enhances Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment Efficacy for Large Diameter Cherry Angiomas: A Pilot Study. Danielle Miller, Alan Rosenbach.

 

Cost Analysis of the Dermatologic Care Provided at a Student-Run Free Clinic. Jun H. Park, Megan Bradley, Andrew Spires, Alyssa Hansen, Juan Pinto-Cuberos, Anthony Linfante.

 

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Health Literacy, Self-Perception, and Barriers to Care Among HS Patients: a Cross-Sectional Study Using the All of Us Research Program. Shawn Lim, Vedant Agrawal, Marie Vu, Kathleen Kroger.

 

A systematic review of hormonal acne in transgender individuals: prevalence, mechanisms, and gender-affirming management strategies. Andrew Spires, Katherine Benandi, Sheila Sharifi, Antonio Jimenez, John Trinidad.

 

Comparative Dermatology in the Aztec and Mayan Civilizations: A Historical Overview. Melissa Marchan-Martinez, Vivian Rojas, Ayezel Muñoz Gonzalez. 

 

Comparative Incidence of Bullous Pemphigoid in Patients Treated with DPP-4 Inhibitors Versus Metformin: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Gabriela Villa, Jason Hankins, Mary Cavanagh, Michael Wilkerson. 

 

Xylazine-Induced Skin Necrosis: A Systematic Review. Allison Roecker, Kaycee Nguyen MD, Mohamad Jabin MD, Omar Hamza MD, Anthony W. Linfante MD.

 

MDGLP-1 receptor agonists and reduced risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC): a retrospective cohort study of patients with obesity. Rashwan Alameddine, Allison Roecker, Mohamad Jabin MD, Renat Ahatov MD, Richard F Wagner Jr. 

 

A Quantitative Systematic Review of Erosive Pustular Dermatosis in Burns: An Underrecognized Cause of Delayed Wound Healing. Smiti Gandhi, Marie Vu, Ria Kanotra, Michael Wilkerson. 

Leadership Announcement

Dr. Michael Wilkerson, Chair for the UTMB Department of Dermatology, notified faculty, residents, and staff that beginning on 3-31-26, Janice Wilson MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, became the Program Director for the Dermatology Residency Program. Richard Wagner, MD, Professor Dermatology, will continue in his departmental roles (Vice Chair for Dermatology Administration, Program Director for the Mohs Fellowship, clinical patient care, research mentorship  with fellows, residents and medical students, faculty advisor for the UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG), and innovative medical student education).