Texas Dermatological Society Spring 2026 - Congratulations to all participants!

Please join DIG in congratulating all UTMB faculty, residents, and medical students at the Texas Dermatology Society (TDS) Spring meeting hosted in Dallas, Texas on April 24th and 25th!

AWARDS

1st Place Resident Poster Presentation: 

Palmar Petechiae in a Patient Receiving Ibrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Olivia Arriaza, Luke Hamilton, Renat Ahatov, Antonio Jimenez, Brent Kelly

RESIDENT PODIUM PRESENTATIONS

Oxygen-Enriched Operating Rooms and Surgical Fires: An Underestimated Risk of Ambulatory Dermatologic Surgery

Fareen Momin, Antonio Jimenez, Marie Vu, Paige Hoyer Williams, Julie A Croley, Alyssa Hansen, Richard F. Wagner Jr. 

Reconstructive Utility of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty and Full-Thickness Skin Grafting in Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Julien Bourgeois, Juan Pinto-Cuberos, Richard F. Wagner Jr. 

Reduced Risk in Melanoma & Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers in Obese Patients on Semaglutide & Tirzepatide

Mohamad Jabin, Rashwan Alameddine, Allison Roecker, Renat Ahatov, Richard F. Wagner Jr. 

Up in Smoke: Uncovering a Hidden Health Risk in Dermatologic Practice

Marie Vu, Frank Winsett

RESIDENT POSTERS

Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy Presenting as a Large Mass in a 4-Month-Old Male

Vivian Rojas, Madelyn Schmidt, Erica Kelly

Pediatric erythrokeratodermia variabilis with favorable response to secukinumab

Lynchi Nguyen, Sarah Kesaria, Bernard Gibson, Lindy Ross 

Chromoblastomycosis Recurrence After Conventional Excision: The Role of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mojahed M.K. Shalabi, Christopher Richter, Umayr R. Shaikh, Leela K. Raj, Melissa Laughter, H. William Higgins II

Digital Disparities: Skin of Color Visibility in Dermatologic Content on Instagram

Alyssa Hansen, Lynchi Nguyen, Fareen Momin, Janice Wilson

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Mimicking a Benign Subcutaneous Nodule: A Case of Delayed Diagnosis

Daphne G. Eckembrecher, Sydney McDaniel, Janice M. Wilson, Bernard R. Gibson

Breaking the Surface: A Rare Case of Perforating Osteoma Cutis 

Mary Cavanagh, Luke Hamilton, Janice Chang, Brandon P. Goodwin

Fever, Ferritin and Flares: A Young Woman’s Presentation of Adult-Onset Still’s Disease

Benjamin Garcia, Sarah Ahmed, Brandon Goodwin, Brent Kelly, Anthony Linfante

Standardizing Dermatology Medical Student Education Using a Structured Curriculum and Pre- and Post-Rotation Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative 

Peter Nguyen, Whitney Harrell, Anthony Linfante

MEDICAL STUDENT PODIUM PRESENTATIONS

Mapping the Gap: Geographic Barriers to Mohs Surgery in Texas

Shawn Lim, Joshua Wang, Kush Maheshwari, Travis S. Dowdle, Richard F. Wagner Jr. 

Shade Coverage in Galveston Schools: A Map to Guide Targeted Dermatological Community Intervention

Sydney McDaniel, Kassianna Elizondo, Daphne G. Eckembrecher, Michael G. Wilkerson

Association Between GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Incident Hair Loss

Zainab Yousaf, Alyssa Hansen, Lindy Ross

MEDICAL STUDENT POSTERS

Colchicine Successfully Treats Refractory Palisading and Neutrophilic Granulomatous Dermatitis Associated with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Madelyn Schmidt, Julien Bourgeois, Anthony Linfante

Natural History of a Large, Complicated Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Requiring Interdisciplinary Management

Danielle Miller, Kristen Kay, Anthony Linfante, Janice WIlson

Pediatric Non-Segmental Vitiligo with Morphea-Lichen Sclerosus Overlap and Anogenital Scarring: A Rare Immune-Mediated Association

Caludia N. Dubocq Ortiz, Daphne G. Eckembrecher, Brandon Goodwin, Ayezel Munoz Gonzalez

Isotretinoin Exposure and Long-Term Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk in Acne Patients: A TriNetX Retrospective Cohort Study

Elizabeth McCarthy, Katherine Benandi, Kristin Wolf

Trends in Medicare Utilization and Spending for Skin Cancer Treatment Procedures, 2018-2023

Alekhya Gurram, Amna Sidiq, Fareen Momin, Travis S. Dowdle, Richard F. Wagner Jr. 

A Systematic Review of Women in Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS): Gender Diversity, Reimbursement Gaps, and Physician Perspectives

Smiti Gandhi, Marie T. Vu, Madelyn Schmidt, Paige Hoyer Williams 

Continuous Glucose Monitor Device-Associated Cutaneous Mycobacterium abscessus Infection: A Novel Source of Primary Inoculation

Luke Hamilton, Travis S. Dowdle, Antonio Jimenez, Janice M. Wilson, Brandon P. Goodwin 

Comparing Psychiatric Comorbidities in Patients on Cyclosporine with Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis

Destinee Elliott, Luke Hamilton, Isha Jhingan, Eric Cline, Nicole Papac

The Role of Telemedicine in Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Scoping Review

Luke Moore, Ruth Hong, Julien Bourgeois, Juan Pinto-Cuberos, Frank Winsett

Acute Localized Exanthematous Pustulosis: A Two-Patient Case Series Highlighting Diagnostic Overlap with Infectious and Inflammatory Facial Dermatoses

Cutler Cannon, Kristen Kay, Julien Bourgeois, Anthony Linfante, Brent Kelly, Brandon Goodwin

Intralesional MMR vs. Candida Antigen for Adult Cutaneous Warts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 

Shawn Lim, Sophia Choi, Sarah Kesaria, Anthony Linfante

Evaluating Malignancy Risk of Anti-RNA Polymerase III Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Sydney McDaniel, Katherine Benandi, Olivia Arriaza, Anthony Linfante

A Rare Case of Methotrexate Toxicity Mimicking Psoriasis

Sarah Ahmed, Kristin Geh, Brent Kelly, Anthony Linfante

Social Media and the rise of infant skin care: Navigating digital trends and clinical guidance

Helena M. Nammour, Samruddhi Arkatkar, Amna Sidiq, Alisha Kashyap, Rashid M. Rashid

Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Incident Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

Zainab Yousaf, Kush Maheshwari, Ayezel Munoz Gonzalez

Infection with Hepatitis C, Not Hepatitis B Confers Increased Risk for Lichen Planus

Gengi Kleto, Umer Nadir, Sahithi Talasila, George M. Jeha, Stanislav N. Tolkachjov 

Galveston’s 20th Annual Steps Against Melanoma Walk

The 20th Annual Steps Against Melanoma Walk is happening this Saturday, April 25th on the Seawall at 9AM! We’ll be honoring those who have been impacted by melanoma and advocating for research and education. 

Our very own Dr. Linfante will be speaking during the opening ceremony! We will also be having a raffle at the event for amazing items from Chicken n Pickle, Pleasure Pier, Top Golf, and more! Grab plenty of snacks to fuel your run and skincare freebies for afterwards (and some other giveaway goodies too!) 

Please register on our website to make check-in a quick process and to fundraise in support of our mission! Thank you to The Pause Life and Iovance for sponsoring our walk. We hope everyone can join us to take steps against melanoma :)

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.