Chair’s Corner
We plan on becoming the ‘go-to’ program in Los Angeles County for melanoma, basal cell cancer, blistering diseases of the skin and other conditions. We will grow our presence at the USC Norris Cancer Hospital to become an integral part of the research going on in cancer therapeutics, genomics, epigenetics and epidemiology.”
David H. Peng, MD, MPH
Chair, Department of Dermatology
David Peng, MD, MPH, is an outstanding clinician-scientist and innovative teacher with a proven track record as a dynamic builder of clinical and educational programs. Peng is a widely respected authority on melanoma, contact dermatitis and inpatient dermatological care.
David H. Peng, MD, MPH
Chair, Department of Dermatology
Biography
David H. Peng, MD, MPH returned to the Keck School of Medicine in 2013 after three years at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he served as associate professor and director of the Department of Dermatology’s residency training program, one of the nation’s most prestigious residency training programs in dermatology. He also served as chief of the Stanford Dermatology Clinics, director of the Medical Dermatology Program and director of the Allergic Contact Dermatitis Program in the Department of Dermatology.
He originally joined the Keck School’s faculty in 2004 and was appointed visiting assistant professor of clinical medicine, associate residency program director in the division of dermatology and director of the Contact Dermatitis Clinic. He was appointed director of the residency-training program in 2008 and served as acting chair of the Department of Dermatology between November 2008 and July 2009. Peng received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and medical degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He completed his internship at UCLA, where he also earned a Master of Public Health degree before returning to UCSD for his residency in dermatology.
About David H. Peng, MD, MPH
Clinical Interests
Peng specializes in the treatment of melanoma, contact dermatitis and inpatient dermatological care. He has collaborated with Myles Cockburn, PhD, associate professor of preventive medicine and dermatology, on a number of melanoma prevention activities ranging from long-term community interventions to NIH-funded demonstration studies. Their “SunSmart” program provides in-school sun safety education to elementary school students throughout Los Angeles with regular opportunity for involvement in teaching and course development.
Current Research
Peng’s research focuses on severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions. His aim is to identify mutations, changes in DNA copy number, structural rearrangements or altered coding and non-coding RNA expression that are important for the initiation, progression or treatment response of inflammatory cutaneous disorders in diseased tissue from skin punch biopsies, saliva and peripheral blood samples routinely obtained in the clinic. Peng is currently co-investigator for a major National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)–funded study that seeks to define the critical aspects of environmental ultraviolet exposure in melanogenesis.