Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ethnic Skin
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2018

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

Medicine
Brown University
2016

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Pathobiology
Brown University
2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Chemistry
Tougaloo College
2004

Medicine

Speciality Areas:

• Elucidating the unreported roles of neutrophils and the innate immunity in the induction of local and systemic immune dysregulation, particularly in Hidradenitis suppurativa and other skin of color diseases
• Fundamentals of neutrophil biology
• Pathobiology

Immunology

Bristol Myers and Squibb Foundation Robert A. Winn Career Development Award (2022)

Mary Kay-Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Skin Research Grant (2022)

American Skin Association Milstein Research Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (2022)

Skin of Color Society Career Development Award (2021)

Society for Investigative Dermatology Freinkel Diversity Scholar, Society for Investigative Dermatology (2021)

National Institutes of Health-Howard University Intramural Research Collaboration (NIH-HUIRC) Scholar (2019)

National Institute for Minority Health Disparities/NIH Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar (2019)

National Cancer Institute/NIH Professional Development Workshop and Mock Interview (2019)

Howard University – Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Series Summer Academy (2019)

NIH/National Medical Association Career Development Award (2018)

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and associated health outcomes among adults with skin cancer

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and associated health outcomes among adults with skin cancer

Background: Ongoing investigations established the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. However, the specific association between ACEs and skin cancer remains relatively unexplored in scientific literature.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among individuals with a skin cancer diagnosis.

Skin tone representation in dermatologic direct-to-consumer advertisements

Skin tone representation in dermatologic direct-to-consumer advertisements: a cross-sectional analysis and call to action

Background: Direct-to-consumer advertisements (DTCAs) in medical marketing serve as a prominent modality to deliver information to an increasingly diverse audience of consumers and increase prescription sales. In dermatology, advertisements have the potential to shape the public’s opinions, aid in the understanding of skin conditions, and raise awareness of available treatments.

Objective: To investigate and characterize the representation of skin tones in DTCAs.

Immunopathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color patients part 2

Immunopathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color patients part 2: Sézary syndrome

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) serves as an umbrella term for numerous lymphomas that reside in or recirculate through the skin. One such systemic lymphoma is Sézary Syndrome (SS). Although SS is not as common in Skin of Color (SOC), minority patients presenting with the condition do have a different presentation than their White counterparts. In this graphical review, we provide an overview of SS immunopathogenesis and varying presentations. Additionally, a summary of current treatment options is provided, highlighting ongoing clinical trials and opportunities to include SOC patients to promote health equity. SOC patients often have poorer prognosis due to biological differences and health disparities resulting in delayed diagnosis. This exemplifies the potential advantages and promising solutions of precision medicine implementation. To this end, the impact and benefits of precision medicine are summarized.

Immunopathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color patients part 1

Immunopathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color patients part 1: Mycosis fungoides

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common subtype of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL). Patients with Skin of Color (SOC) may be disproportionately impacted by MF due to delayed diagnoses, limited research, and treatment differences. In this graphical review, we provide an overview of MF immunopathogenesis and demonstrate how it manifests differently in SOC patients. We also provide our hypothesis for why the disease process can result in a myriad of clinical presentations in SOC patients. Last, we provide a summary of current treatment options, highlighting ongoing clinical trials and opportunities to include SOC patients to promote health equity.

Hidradenitis suppurativa in Black and White patients

Hidradenitis suppurativa in Black and White patients - a clinical study

Objective: It is suggested that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is more prevalent and causes greater morbidity in Black patients than in White. Clinical data are however lacking.

Patients and methods: We therefore describe HS risk factors, disease severity and clinical phenotypes in the Blacks and Whites. Patients referred for HS between 1984 and 2019 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital were identified using the Pathology Data System (PDS). Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were extracted and the van der Zee & Jemec HS clinical phenotypes were recovered.

Exploring the importance of inclusion criteria beyond the color of skin

Exploring the importance of inclusion criteria beyond the color of skin: Improvement in facial redness in skin of color subjects-An open-label, single center clinical study utilizing low molecular weight heparan sulfate

The awareness of skin of color (SOC) in dermatology is expanding; however, a lack of diversity in dermatologic clinical trials persists,1 especially considering the inclusion of African Americans/Blacks.2,3 This study provides evidence of how SOC can be excluded and/or underestimated for severity of symptoms because redness can be overlooked by visual examination. This open-label, single center clinical study assessing SOC using clinical grading and biophysical testing reveals the positive results and benefits of a daily regimen containing a patented low molecular weight heparan sulfate—heparan sulfate analog (HSA). This work highlights how SOC subjects, especially those with darker skin tones, may be omitted from study analyses due to visual clinical grading limitations.

Reduction of Erythema in Moderate-Severe Rosacea by a Low Molecular Weight Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA)

 Reduction of Erythema in Moderate-Severe Rosacea by a Low Molecular Weight Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA)

Rosacea changes are a result of an immune mediated response and the angiogenic properties of the LL-37 peptide. This peptide induces an inflammatory signal that activates the NLRP3-mediated inflammasome, triggering rosacea pathogenesis. Research findings show that LL-37 peptide is inhibited by binding to a cell surface glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulfate. Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) is a proprietary low molecular weight analog of heparan sulfate that has been formulated into a Dermal Repair Cream (DRC), specifically to aid in such immune mediated responses. Herein, in vitro studies using human epidermal keratinocytes showed an increase in HSA decreased LL-37 toxicity and IL-8 cytokine release. A single-center, randomized double-blind trial included 16 subjects (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV) with a clinical diagnosis of type 1 rosacea and moderate to severe facial erythema, who were undergoing Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment.

Histopathology of the Pilosebaceous Unit and Interstitium of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Chapter 5: Histopathology of the Pilosebaceous Unit and Interstitium of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in A Comprehensive Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the histological findings that underpin the clinical presentation of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The chapter first describes the cutaneous structure, cells, and the pilosebaceous unit in healthy skin, comparing White and African American skin as this is a disease that is overrepresented in patients with skin of color. Next the histological changes found in HS are presented. Expression of keratin, intra- and intercellular structures, immune cells, receptors, cytokines, and peptides in HS is also described where relevant.

INVITED TALKS

National Medical Association – Dermatology Section (July 2023); New Orleans, LA

Loma Linda University Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds (April 2023); Virtual

Columbia University Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds (2023); Virtual

University of Massachusetts Dermatology Research Seminar (2022); Virtual

Skin of Color Society Meeting the Challenge Summit: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials (2022); Washington, D.C.

Sonoma Biotherapeutics (2021); South San Francisco, CA

Skin of Color Symposium (SOCS) (2021); Virtual

5th Annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) (2020); Virtual

10th European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V. (EHSF 2021); Virtual

Skin of Color Society Media Day (2021); Virtual

Stanford University School of Medicine Dermatology Grand Rounds (2021); Virtual

University of Wisconsin – Madison Dept. of Medical Microbiology and Immunology (2021); Virtual

Global Dermatology Talks (2021); Virtual Seminar

Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital – Department of Surgery Research Seminar (2021); Virtual

Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Diversity Panel (2021); Virtual

Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) National Meeting (2021); Virtual

Howard University College of Medicine - Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics Seminar (2019); Washington, D.C.

Leadership Alliance Summer Research Experience Seminar – Howard University (2019); Washington, D.C.

AbbVie Sponsored Symposium - 77th Annual Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) meeting (2019); Chicago, IL

Keynote Speaker for SSP Awards Program – Tougaloo College (2017); Tougaloo, MS

Keynote Speaker for MERIT’s (Minority Education Resources Initiative for Teens) Annual Symposium – Johns Hopkins

University School of Medicine (2016); Baltimore, MD

Speaker for Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program - California State University Dominquez Hills

(CSUDH) (2009, 2012, 2019); Carson, CA

Brown University Graduate School Pathobiology Retreat (2013); Providence, RI

Speaker for Student Seminar - TIMES2 STEM Academy and Sophia Academy (2012); Providence, RI

United Negro College Fund (UNCF)/Merck Science Initiative Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship

acceptance speech (2011); Blue Bell, PA

Keynote Speaker for Inman Page Black Alumni Council – Brown University (2011); Providence, RI