Dermatology Announcements
Explore the latest announcements, achievements and happenings from the Department of Dermatology.
UC Davis dermatologist featured in skin cancer awareness video
May
Oma Agbai, M.D., health sciences associate clinical professor and founding director of multicultural dermatology and hair disorders, is featured in a "How to spot and prevent skin cancer: tips from a dermatologist" video presented by UC Davis Health. She discusses the warning signs of skin cancer and the ABCDEs of melanoma, highlighting when changes in a mole or skin spot should be evaluated by a dermatologist. She also shares key prevention tips, including proper sunscreen use, the importance of SPF 30, regular reapplication, and avoiding tanning beds to reduce the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.
UC Davis medical students bring skin cancer awareness to local high school
May
UC Davis School of Medicine students Conan Lee and Linh Tran, co-founders of the UV&Me chapter at UC Davis, visited Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School in Sacramento on May 8 to present on skin cancer awareness and prevention. Members of the chapter volunteer to deliver UV&Me-approved presentations to children and adolescents in schools and community settings, with the goal of preventing skin cancer by educating and encouraging young people to protect their skin from sun damage.
During the session, they discussed the importance of sun protection, the risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) exposure and tanning, how to identify potentially concerning skin changes and practical strategies students can use to protect their skin. They also answered questions about medical school and careers in medicine.
UC Davis dermatologist receives Reaching Across the Causeway Impact Symposia Award
April
Maija Kiuru, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical dermatology and vice chair of academic affairs at UC Davis Health, received the Reaching Across the Causeway Impact Symposia Award for “The Comparative Dermatology Forum — Bridging Human and Veterinary Medicine for Translational Discovery." Kiuru and Tyler J.M. Jordan, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.D., received a $25,000 award to develop and launch the forum in late 2026 as a collaborative initiative between the UC Davis School of Medicine and the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.
The Reaching Across the Causeway (RAC) Awards program supports innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations between the two schools to address complex health challenges. The program aims to help researchers develop high-impact projects and strengthen future extramural funding opportunities.
UC Davis medical student presents at CalDerm conference
April
Linh Tran, class of 2027 student at the UC Davis School of Medicine, volunteered and presented two posters at the 2026 California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Society (CalDerm) Norcal Conference held April 17-19 in Half Moon Bay, Calif. The conference is designed to help dermatology professionals stay current on advances in medical, surgical and practice-based dermatology through expert-led education focused on improving clinical knowledge, procedural skills and patient outcomes.
Tran presented “Intersecting viral dermatoses: Mpox and HSV-2 coinfection in an unhoused, transgender patient with advanced HIV” and “Keystone perforator island flap for a large posterior trunk defect post-Mohs surgery: a case report.”
UC Davis Dermatopathology Service manager wins national tennis titles
April
Daniel H. Gong, founding manager of the UC Davis Dermatopathology Service, won his third national title and first national singles title at the 2026 United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) National Singles Championship in 55-and-older competition in Orlando, Florida. Gong competes as a member of the Laguna Creek Sports Club.
UC Davis research fellow receives Young Investigator Finalist Award
April
Pooja Shet, a dermatology research fellow in the Isseroff Research Lab, received a Young Investigator Finalist Award from the Wound Healing Society on April 10. The $500 award recognizes top young researchers furthering innovation in wound healing science. Shet received the award at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wound Healing Society, held April 8-10 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
UC Davis research scientist receives Trainee Travel Award
April
Anthony Gallegos, a research scientist in the Isseroff Research Lab, received the Trainee Travel Award from the Wound Healing Society on April 10. The $500 award supports trainees presenting their research at the society’s annual meeting by helping offset travel expenses.
Gallegos presented his abstract, “Pharmacokinetics of topically applied timolol for chronic wounds: a prospective pilot study,” at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wound Healing Society, held April 8-10 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The meeting convenes wound healing researchers, clinicians and scientists to share discoveries that are transforming wound care.
UC Davis postdoctoral research fellow receives scholarship award
April
UC Davis postdoctoral research fellow Rajalekshmy G. Padmakumari received a student scholarship award at the 2026 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring conference held in collaboration with the Wound Healing Society on April 8-12 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference brings together clinicians from around the world to explore and advance comprehensive approaches to the prevention, management and treatment of acute and chronic wounds.
Padmakumari and fellow UC Davis postdoctoral research fellow Deepa Dehari delivered the oral poster presentation “Synergy between immune system and antibiotics drives infection control in mice” at the event.
UC Davis participates in Wound Healing Society conference
April
Several dermatology faculty, research scientists and fellows attended the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wound Healing Society, held April 8-10 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The meeting convenes wound healing researchers, clinicians and scientists to share discoveries that are transforming wound care.
Qian Li, a statistician in the Soulika lab, delivered the oral presentation "Lipoxygenase promotes host defense against pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wounds" at the event. Deepa Dehari, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Shafikhani lab, delivered the oral presentation "Topical CCL3 is well-tolerated and improves liver function in diabetic mice: evidence from a 14-day toxicity study." Getnet Tesfaw Tadege, a postdoctoral scholar in the Shafikhani lab, delivered the poster presentation "CCL3 and LPS combination therapy reduces infection and promotes wound healing in diabetic mice by amplifying proinflammatory responses."
In addition, Sasha Shafikhani, Ph.D., Roslyn Rivkah Isseroff, M.D., and Athena Soulika, Ph.D., served as moderators for several conference sessions.
UC Davis Dermatopathology Service manager appointed to board of directors
April
Daniel H. Gong, founding manager of the UC Davis Dermatopathology Service, has been nominated and approved to serve on the board of directors for the American Society for Mohs Histotechnology (ASMH), the technical society affiliated with the American College of Mohs Surgery. His appointment runs through 2028. Gong has previously served the organization as board president and continues to contribute as an associate director and trainer for the ASMH Mohs Technician Training Program.
Ten UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
April
UC Davis dermatologists Boya Abudu, Alain Brassard, Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Emanual Maverakis, Caitlin Peterman, Anita Savell, Marc Silverstein, Danielle M. Tartar and Peggy A. Wu received a Diamond Doc Award for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
Department of Dermatology participates in UC Davis Walking Challenge
March
As part of a UC Davis wellness initiative, the Department of Dermatology participated in a virtual Walking Challenge in March, with team members submitting their weekly step counts to the department’s wellness ambassador. The first-place winner was Maxwell Fung, M.D., with 134,874 steps. The second-place winner was Michael Sheng, Ph.D., M.S.E., a postdoctoral researcher, with 97,243 steps. The third-place winner was Cindy Fong, education programs assistant and micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology fellowship coordinator, with 74,903 steps.
UC Davis medical students showcase dermatology research
March
UC Davis School of Medicine students presented their research on March 5 at the annual Medical Student Research Forum (Poster Day) held at Aggie Square. Aliyah Parker, a medical student research fellow, was featured in a CBS News Sacramento article about the event, highlighting her research on the need for expanded skin cancer outreach and education in communities of color. Parker conducts her research under the guidance of research mentor Oma Agbai, M.D., health sciences associate clinical professor and founding director of multicultural dermatology and hair disorders at UC Davis Health.
Linh Vo, a medical student research fellow, won the award for best clinical research presentation at the event. Her poster presentation was "Optimizing Actinic Keratosis Management: Insights from an Intra-Individual Randomized Trial of Cryotherapy vs 5-Fluorouracil." Vo conducts her research under the guidance of research mentor Daniel Eisen, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology at UC Davis Health. Linh Tran and Aiobhin Grace O’Gorman, medical student research fellows also working with Eisen, attended the event and presented research on hidradenitis suppurativa and the association of hypertension and post-operative complications.
Medical student research fellow receives two awards
March
Sabine Abukhadra, a medical student research fellow, recently received two awards for her mentored research with Maija Kiuru, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical dermatology and vice chair of academic affairs at UC Davis Health. Abukhadra earned a Medical Student Award from the Melanoma Research Foundation for her research on the genetic analysis of melanomas in cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome.
She also received a Medical Student Research Supplement Award from the Dermatology Foundation. The $5,000 award supports the in-depth participation of a medical student in the completion of a full-time research project.
UC Davis dermatologist elected to board of American Contact Dermatitis Society
March
UC Davis dermatologist Peggy A. Wu, M.D., M.P.H. has been elected to the board of directors of the American Contact Dermatitis Society and began her three-year term on March 1. Founded in 1989, the organization advances the diagnosis and care of dermatitis by promoting education, research and advocacy and by studying the relationships among contact, occupational, atopic, photo-induced, drug-related and other forms of dermatitis.
UC Davis launches quarterly resident lecture series
February
The Department of Dermatology held its inaugural Novy Sacramento Valley Dermatology Society Resident Lecture on Feb. 26 at the Zinfandel Grille in Sacramento. Tracy Ngo, M.D., a third-year resident at UC Davis Health, presented "Expanding the Dermatology Toolkit" during the event. The quarterly lecture series was established to foster academic exchange and encourage scholarly discussion within the field of dermatology.
The Sacramento Valley Dermatology Society (SVDS) is composed of dermatologists practicing throughout the Sacramento Valley. Its mission is to educate and connect members of the region’s dermatology community to enhance patient care and advance the specialty.
UC Davis dermatologist to lead, present at national dermatology conferences
January
UC Davis dermatologist Peggy A. Wu, M.D., M.P.H. is co-chairing the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium Annual Workshop on March 26 in Denver, Colorado, and will also present her research at the meeting.
In addition, she is serving as a director and speaker at the Contact Dermatitis Symposium at the American Academy of Dermatology's Annual Meeting from March 27-31 in Denver, Colorado.
UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
January
UC Davis dermatologists Boya Abudu, Jayne Joo, Emanual Maverakis, Marc Silverstein and Danielle M. Tartar received a Diamond Doc Award for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
UC Davis medical assistant receives Excellence Award
January
Kristi Hadler, a medical assistant in the Department of Dermatology at UC Davis Health, received an Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding performance and dedication to patient care. She consistently demonstrates strong clinical intuition and an exceptional ability to anticipate needs in fast-paced surgical settings.
Four UC Davis dermatologists named Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2026
January
Four dermatologists from UC Davis Health were named to the Castle Connolly Top Doctor's list for 2026, including Oma Agbai, Samuel Hwang, Emanual Maverakis and Marc Silverstein. Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of practicing physicians in the United States. Physicians are nominated by their peers and carefully vetted by the organization’s physician-led research team. This recognition highlights doctors who demonstrate excellence in clinical care as well as outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
Twelve UC Davis dermatologists named Top Doctors by Sactown Magazine
January
Twelve dermatologists from UC Davis Health were named to Sactown Magazine's annual list of Top Doctors for 2026. The list celebrates the region's best doctors, which include Oma Agbai, Smita Awasthi, Alain Brassar, Daniel Eisen, Victor Huang, Samuel Hwang, Jayne Joo, Maija Kiuru, Caitlin Peterman, Marc Silverstein, Danielle Tartar and Peggy Wu. Sactown Magazine's 2026 Top Doctors are selected by a peer-to-peer survey of local practitioners. Conducted by Professional Research Services (PRS), the survey's goal is to determine which doctors in a specific geographical area are considered outstanding by their peers.
UC Davis Dermatopathology Service manager secures multiple tennis awards
December
Daniel H. Gong, founding manager of the UC Davis Dermatopathology Service, enjoyed an award-filled 2025 tennis season as a member of the Laguna Creek Sports Club. In April, Gong captured the 2025 United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) National Championship in 55-and-older 4.0 doubles in San Diego, California. He followed that success in July at the 2025 National Senior Games Association event in Des Moines, Iowa, earning a gold medal in 55-and-older doubles and a silver medal in 55-and-older singles. Gong closed out the year as part of the USTA Laguna Creek Sports Club 55-and-older mixed 9.0 team, which won the NorCal Sectionals Championship is advancing to the 2026 USTA National Tennis Championships in Phoenix, Arizona.
UC Davis selects newest Dermatology Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellow
December
Briana Halle, M.D., has been selected as the newest member of the UC Davis Dermatology Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship program. Halle attended the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine after completing her undergraduate degree at Claremont McKenna College. She interned at Scripps Mercy Hospital and completed her residency at the University of California, Irvine. She officially joins the UC Davis Health program in August 2026.
UC Davis dermatologists celebrate 2025 Diamond Doc Awards
November
UC Davis dermatologists Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Jonathan Rick, Marc Silverstein, Danielle M. Tartar and Peggy Wu celebrated their 2025 Diamond Doc Awards at a UC Davis Health awards reception Nov. 12 at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California. The award is given out quarterly and honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Eisen and Tartar were additionally recognized for earning the award every quarter for the past three years — a remarkable achievement that highlights their consistent excellence.
UC Davis professor selected as president of the American Society of Dermatopathology
November
UC Davis professor and internationally recognized dermatopathologist Maxwell A. Fung was installed as the 62nd president of the American Society of Dermatopathology at the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 6-9 in Baltimore, Maryland. His election reflects his longstanding commitment to advancing excellence in dermatopathology and his exceptional record of service to the field.
Founded in 1962, the American Society of Dermatopathology is the subspecialty’s oldest and largest professional organization of about 1,500 members dedicated to advancing diagnostic excellence and improving care for people living with skin disorders.
UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
September
UC Davis dermatologists Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Jonathan Rick, Marc Silverstein and Danielle M. Tartar received a Diamond Doc Award for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
May
UC Davis dermatologists Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Jonathan Rick, Marc Silverstein and Danielle M. Tartar received a Diamond Doc Award for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
March
UC Davis dermatologists Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Marc Silverstein and Danielle M. Tartar received a Diamond Doc Award for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
UC Davis dermatologists receive Diamond Doc Awards
January
UC Davis dermatologists Daniel Eisen, Jayne Joo, Marc Silverstein, Danielle M. Tartar and Peggy Wu received a Diamond Doc Award for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. The award honors physicians whose patient survey scores rank in the 90th percentile or higher, reflecting their dedication to UC Davis Health’s values of kindness, trust and inclusion. Patient surveys measure excellence in attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.
