Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Exercise Your Creativity in Clinical Research

The Physician Scientist Career Development Award (CDA) supports the academic career of a physician scientist who is devoted to clinical dermatology, and assists in the transition from fellowship to established investigator. This award is intended for the academic investigator demonstrating significant creativity in clinically relevant research.

Know Before You Apply

All Foundation-funded research must be conducted in the U.S. under the sponsorship of a department/division of dermatology that is ACGME-approved for training in dermatology. Applicants must meet the DF’s general eligibility requirements, in addition to award-specific requirements presented on or before the time of funding. Applicants from minority populations are encouraged to apply.

The DF encourages applications concerning health issues impacting applicants from minority populations, including, but not limited to, racial minorities, sexual ¬ gender/LGBTQ minorities, and underserved/disadvantaged populations.

Am I eligible?

If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for the Physician Scientist Career Development Award.

Applicant Eligibility for the Physician Scientist Career Development Award

MD; MD, PhD; or DO degree
Completed training in a U.S. dermatology residency program
Appropriate initial training in relevant research (i.e., a two- to three-year research fellowship or postdoctoral training)
Junior faculty member in a dept./div. of dermatology (through Asst. Prof. level)
Clinically oriented investigator in the early stages of academic career
Demonstrates a strong commitment to skin research
Strong institutional commitment for individual’s career development

Eligibility Requirements for All CDAs

Candidates with an MD; MD, PhD; or DO must be no greater than 12 years beyond their terminal degree — as of January 1, 2026.
Candidates with a PhD must be no greater than 8 years beyond their terminal degree — as of January 1, 2026.
Junior faculty member in a department or division of dermatology with an ACGME-approved dermatology residency program, through Assistant Professor level. Applicants can include instructors, postdoctoral fellows on an NIH T32 training grant and assistant professors.
Anyone who is a prior or current principal investigator (PI) on a federal grant is not eligible to receive a DF career development award. The following two exceptions apply:

- CDA awardees may have effort on an NIH grant as long as he/she is not the senior PI who initiated the application and he/she does not have direct reporting responsibilities for this or prior federal awards. Total support from all federal grants must be less than 20% of their total effort during the term of the DF award.

- The individual is the recipient of an NIH training grant or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.

Important Notes: An individual who receives a federal grant that eliminates their status as a “new investigator” is not eligible to maintain/receive a CDA. The Foundation utilizes the NIH definitions of “principal investigator” and “co- investigator” to administer this policy, as found in the Glossary of NIH Terms.

Research award recipients may not simultaneously hold a DF career development award and a grant. As a result, applicants applying for a new career development award may also apply for a grant though they cannot receive funding for both. Current CDA recipients applying for a second or third year of funding cannot also apply for a DF grant.
Strong institutional commitment for the individual’s career development.

Eligibility Criteria for All DF Awards

All DF-funded research must be conducted in the U.S. under the sponsorship of a department/division of dermatology that is ACGME-approved for training in dermatology. A project to be performed as a part of the U.S. government research program (except Veterans Administration), or to be performed at a private foundation without an academic affiliation to dermatology, is not eligible for funding. A project involving human subjects must have IRB approval at the time funding commences, i.e., July 1, and throughout the term of the award.

An individual who is a prior or current principal investigator (PI) on a federal grant is not eligible to receive a DF career development award, fellowship, or grant. The following two exceptions apply:

1) CDA awardees may have effort on an NIH grant as long as he/she is not the senior PI who initiated the application and he/she does not have direct reporting responsibilities for this or prior federal awards. Total support from all federal grants must be less than 20% of their total effort during the term of the DF award.

2) The individual is the recipient of an NIH training grant or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.

Upon receipt as the PI of a federal grant, a DF CDA or grant will be withdrawn. Note, an individual who receives a federal grant that eliminates their status as a "new investigator" is not eligible to maintain/receive a DF CDA.

Fellowship recipients may receive NIH training grants or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.

Important Note: The Foundation utilizes the NIH definitions of “principal investigator” and “co-investigator” to administer this policy, as found in the Glossary of NIH Terms.

Application instructions are available on the Career Development Awards page.

Featured Award Recipient

Development of Targeted Immunotherapy for, and Transcriptional Profiling of, γδ T Cell Diseases

Gamma-delta (gd) T-cells are involved in infection, inflammation, and cancer. We propose novel methods to develop T-cell–based immunotherapies to combat gd T-cell cancers, which may lead to lasting remission. We will also perform comprehensive immune profiling of gd T-cells in COVID-19, in psoriasis, and in gd T-cell lymphoma, to better understand potential consequences of gd T-cell depletion and the pathways that drive gd-mediated diseases.

Christoph T. Ellebrecht, MD

University of Pennsylvania

Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

2024 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Victoria Fang, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Spatial Dynamics of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and Plasma Cells in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Theodora Karagounis, MD, MS
New York University
Contributions of Gastrointestinal Staphylococcus Aureus to Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Jennifer Lo, MD, PhD
Harvard University - Massachusetts General Hospital
Characterizing Epitope Spreading and Response to mocRNA Melanoma Immunotherapy by In Situ Sequencing

Christine Yokoyama, MD, PhD
Washington University
Regulation of Epidermal Homeostasis by Centrosomal Proteins

Eric Merrill, MD - Year 2
University of California, San Francisco
Cutaneous Lymphocyte – Fibroblast Niches

Goran Micevic, MD, PhD - Year 2
Yale University
Identifying CD8+ T-cells Necessary for a Durable Immune Response to Melanoma

Allen Oak, MD - Year 2
University of Pennsylvania
Defining the Role of Mechanotransduction in Scarring Alopecias for Therapeutic Gain

Elisabeth Pedersen, MD, PhD - Year 2
University of Michigan
Understanding Melanogenesis in Basal Cell Carcinoma

Dekker C. Deacon, MD, PhD - Year 3
University of Utah
Genomic Markers of Lentigo Maligna Melanoma Progression

Anna Kersh, MD, PhD - Year 3
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Understanding the Molecular Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus and Lichenoid Dermatoses

Wei-Che Ko, MD - Year 3
University of Massachusetts
Defining Fundamental Mechanisms of Human Inflammation in Allergic Skin

Benjamin A. Nanes, MD, PhD - Year 3
Southwestern Med. School Univ. of Texas
Modulation of Force Generation and Differentiation by Keratin Filaments During Epidermal Remodeling

Rivka Stone, MD, PhD - Year 3
University of Miami
Identifying Early Genomic Biomarkers of Skin Fibrosis Following Radiation Injury

2023 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Eric Merrill, MD
University of California, San Francisco
Cutaneous Lymphocyte – Fibroblast Niches

Goran Micevic, MD, PhD
Yale University
Identifying CD8+ T-cells Necessary for a Durable Immune Response to Melanoma

Allen Oak, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Defining the Role of Mechanotransduction in Scarring Alopecias for Therapeutic Gain

Elisabeth Pedersen, MD, PhD
University of Michigan
Understanding Melanogenesis in Basal Cell Carcinoma

Dekker C. Deacon, MD, PhD - Year 2
University of Utah
Genomic Markers of Lentigo Maligna Melanoma Progression

Anna Eisenstein, MD, PhD - Year 2
Yale University School of Medicine
The IL33-Mediated Skin-Gut-Immune Axis In the Development of Atopic Dermatitis and Oral Allergy

Anna Kersh, MD, PhD - Year 2
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Understanding the Molecular Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus and Lichenoid Dermatoses

Wei-Che Ko, MD - Year 2
University of Massachusetts
Defining Fundamental Mechanisms of Human Inflammation in Allergic Skin

Benjamin A. Nanes, MD, PhD - Year 2
Southwestern Med. School Univ. of Texas
Modulation of Force Generation and Differentiation by Keratin Filaments During Epidermal Remodeling

Rivka Stone, MD, PhD - Year 2
University of Miami
Identifying Early Genomic Biomarkers of Skin Fibrosis Following Radiation Injury

Chen Wang, MD, PhD - Year 3
Stanford University
Identification of Disease Driving T-Cells and Antigens in Alopecia Areata

2022 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Dekker C. Deacon, MD, PhD
University of Utah
Genomic Markers of Lentigo Maligna Melanoma Progression

Anna Eisenstein, MD, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine
The IL33-Mediated Skin-Gut-Immune Axis In the Development of Atopic Dermatitis and Oral Allergy

Anna Kersh, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Understanding the Molecular Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus and Lichenoid Dermatoses

Wei-Che Ko, MD
University of Massachusetts
Defining Fundamental Mechanisms of Human Inflammation in Allergic Skin

Benjamin A. Nanes, MD, PhD
Southwestern Med. School Univ. of Texas
Modulation of Force Generation and Differentiation by Keratin Filaments During Epidermal Remodeling

Rivka Stone, MD, PhD
University of Miami
Identifying Early Genomic Biomarkers of Skin Fibrosis Following Radiation Injury

Christoph T. Ellebrecht, MD - Year 2
University of Pennsylvania
Development of Targeted Immunotherapy for and Transcriptional Profiling of γδ T Cell Diseases

Chen Wang, MD, PhD - Year 2
Stanford University
Identification of Disease Driving T-Cells and Antigens in Alopecia Areata

Lee E. Wheless, MD, PhD – Year 3
Vanderbilt University
Using Machine Learning to Stratify Skin Cancer Risk in Organ Transplant Recipients

2021 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

Christoph T. Ellebrecht, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Development of Targeted Immunotherapy for and Transcriptional Profiling of γδ T Cell Diseases

Chen Wang, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Identification of Disease Driving T-Cells and Antigens in Alopecia Areata

Lee E. Wheless, MD, PhD – Year 2
Vanderbilt University
Using Machine Learning to Stratify Skin Cancer Risk in Organ Transplant Recipients

Matthew D. Vesely, MD, PhD – Year 3
Yale University
Stimulating Immune Inhibitory Receptors for the Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus

Sarah Whitley, MD, PhD – Year 3
University of Pittsburgh
IL-23 Regulates Cutaneous Resident Memory T Cell Development and Maintenance

2020 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

David Y. Chen, MD, PhD – Year 3
Washington University
Epigenetic Regulation of Skin Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis

William E. Damsky, MD, PhD – Year 3
Yale University
Elucidating and Overcoming Mechanisms of Immunotherapy Resistance in Melanoma

Allen W. Ho, MD, PhD – Year 3
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance to Apoptotic Cells and Its Role in Cutaneous Autoimmunity

Matthew D. Vesely, MD, PhD – Year 2
Yale University
Stimulating Immune Inhibitory Receptors for the Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus

Lee E. Wheless, MD
Vanderbilt University
Using Machine Learning to Stratify Skin Cancer Risk in Organ Transplant Recipients

Sarah Whitley, MD, PhD – Year 2
University of Pittsburgh
IL-23 Regulates Cutaneous Resident Memory T Cell Development and Maintenance

2019 Award Recipients | Physician Scientist Career Development Award

David Y. Chen, MD, PhD – Year 2
Washington University Medical Center
Epigenetic Regulation of Skin Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis

William E. Damsky, MD, PhD – Year 2
Yale University School of Medicine
Elucidating and Overcoming Mechanisms of Immunotherapy Resistance in Melanoma

Marlys S. Fassett, MD, PhD – Year 3
University of California, San Francisco
IL-31: Coupling Itch and Rash in Atopic Dermatitis

Jennifer G. Gill, MD, PhD – Year 3
Southwestern Med. School Univ. of Texas
Transcriptional and Metabolic Adaptations of Melanoma Metastases

Allen W. Ho, MD, PhD – Year 2
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance to Apoptotic Cells and Its Role in Cutaneous Autoimmunity

Cory L. Simpson, MD, PhD – Year 3
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Mechanism of Selective Autophagy in Epidermal Differentiation and Homeostasis

Matthew D. Vesely, MD, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine
Stimulating Immune Inhibitory Receptors for the Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus

Sarah Whitley, MD, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
IL-23 Regulates Cutaneous Resident Memory T Cell Development and Maintenance