Doctor Examining a Patient's Skin
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Department of Dermatology

Are you a patient?

Advancing Skin Health Through
Education, Research & Care

The Department of Dermatology brings together world experts in adult and pediatric dermatology. Our core research areas include inflammatory skin disease, cutaneous oncology, gene therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and diabetic wound healing. We collaborate regularly with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center on melanoma and skin cancer research.

Our three-year clinical residency trains physicians across Los Angeles General Medical Center, Keck Medicine of USC, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles VA Clinic. We offer various research fellowships including one dedicated to research in skin of color and pigmentary disorders, along with specialty clinics in contact dermatitis/patch testing, rheumatology-dermatology and other areas.

Research

Our research spans six focus areas: inflammatory skin disease and basement membrane zone biology, cutaneous oncology and melanoma genomics, gene therapy for RDEB, hidradenitis suppurativa, skin of color and pigmentary disorders, and diabetic wound healing. We collaborate with USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center on melanoma and skin cancer research.

Research
Research Professor working with researcher in lab

Training & Education

Training & Education

Residency

Residency Program: Our ACGME-accredited, three-year residency accepts four residents per year into a 12-person program across five clinical sites. Residents gain experience in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatopathology, complex medical dermatology, and pediatric dermatology. Skin of Color and Pigmentary Research Fellowship: Directed by Dr. Nada Elbuluk, our one-year fellowship trains medical students in pigmentary disorders and skin of color research.

Medical Student Clerkships

We offer four-week visiting rotations for MD and DO students through AAMC VSAS.

Skin of Color and Pigmentary Research Fellowship

Directed by Dr. Nada Elbuluk, our one-year fellowship trains medical students in pigmentary disorders and skin of color research.

Patient Care

You can receive care from the same physician-scientists who drive our research. Our specialists treat rare and complex skin conditions, and our focus on clinical trials opens treatment options available in few other places.

Patient Care
Physician examines patient's arm

Message from the Chair

From the clinic to the lab to the classroom, our faculty and trainees are committed to advancing dermatology and providing exceptional care for patients across Southern California.

Melvin Chiu, MD, MPH, FAAD
Meet the Faculty
Image of Melvin Chiu

By the Numbers

12

Residents in the ACGME-accredited three-year program

5

Affiliated training hospitals

4

Subspecialty clinics: HS, immunobullous, rheumatology-dermatology, contact dermatitis

Department News

More Department News
BUSTLE ◆ How to tell the difference between vitiligo & other skin pigmentation changes
Media Mention

BUSTLE ◆ How to tell the difference between vitiligo & other skin pigmentation changes

June 15, 2026
USC President Beong-Soo Kim visits with Presidential Medallion recipients David H. Peng, left, and Yannis C. Yortsos. (USC Photo/Steve Cohn)
Campus News

Academic Honors Convocation celebrates USC scholars for innovative research and achievements

Campus News

Appointment of Melvin Chiu, MD, MPH, as chair of the Department of Dermatology

Media Mention

EVERYDAY HEALTH ◆ Does Psoriasis Raise Your Risk of Skin Infections?

Service & Outreach

Our faculty and trainees partner directly with our Los Angeles neighbors to build healthier futures for young people. Our work ranges from sun-safety education, to care for children with serious skin disease at Camp Wonder, to programs that spark interest in the health sciences.

Community Outreach
USC Dermatology community outreach

Science Fighting Cancer

Our dermatologists who specialize in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma contribute to cancer research at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the original NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers.

Support Us

Your gift to the Department of Dermatology funds the work that distinguishes us. Support advances research into melanoma genomics, hidradenitis suppurativa, and gene therapy for RDEB, a rare and often fatal genetic skin disease. Gifts also sustain the Skin of Color and Pigmentary Research Fellowship and resident training across Los Angeles General Medical Center, Keck Hospital of USC, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. To discuss funding opportunities, contact our development office. (Contact: Daisy Lau, Executive Director of Development.)

Support Our Work