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Dermatology Research

The Saint Louis University Department of Dermatology has extensive experience conducting industry-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research. The SLU department’s board-certified specialists and sub-specialists provide comprehensive care, as well as cutting-edge research in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic and laser surgery, cutaneous oncologic surgery and dermatopathology.

The large, established dermatology clinical practice enables the department to attract multisite trials in various phases of drug and treatment research in addition to faculty-designed clinical research. Studies have involved research for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, pemphigus, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, pre-cancerous conditions, melanoma, hyperhidrosis, cosmetic devices and procedures and other dermatological conditions.

Dermatology Department Primary Investigators

  • M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.
    Clinical trials, complex medical dermatologic conditions
  • Ramona Behshad, M.D.
    Clinical trials, surgical oncologic dermatology
  • Elaine Siegfried, M.D.
    Clinical trials, pediatric dermatology

Research Team 

  • M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.
    Director, clinical research
  • Rhonda Lebbing
    Research coordinator and director
  • Maddie Bicklein
    Research coordinator
  • Brittani Jones, M.D.
    Research fellow and sub-investigator
  • Fahd Malik, M.D.
    Research fellow and sub-investigator

Dermatology Research Fellowship

The Department of Dermatology Division of Dermatology Research offers a two-year research fellowship.

The research fellow acts as a sub-investigator on multiple sponsored clinical trials and participates in the design, implementation, and publication of studies. In addition to research, the fellow will provide patient care in the faculty dermatology clinics and participate in academic activities with the dermatology residents.

Applicant must have completed a minimum of PGY-1 at an ACGME-accredited program before starting the fellowship and must be eligible to obtain a Missouri medical license.

For information on the research fellowship, contact Rhonda Lebbing at rhonda.lebbing@health.slu.edu or see Fellowship Training.

Clinical Trials

Primary Investigator: M. Yadira Hurley, M. D.

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

  • 230LE301: A 2-Part Seamless Part A (Phase 2)/Part B (Phase 3) Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BIIB059 in Participants with Active Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus and/or Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus with or without Systemic Manifestations and Refractory and/or Intolerant to Antimalarial Therapy (AMETHYST). Sponsor - Biogen MA Inc. Note: Participants who complete the 230301 study are eligible to participate in the 230LE305 Open-label extension study.

    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 05531565
  • IMVT-1402-2701: A Phase 2b, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of IMVT-1402 in Participants with Active Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE) and/or Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CCLE) with or without Systemic Manifestations. Sponsor - Immunovant Sciences FmbH

    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06980805

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

  • SBT777101-02: A Phase 1 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Activity of Single Ascending Doses of SBT777101 in Subjects with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Sponsor - Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Inc. Note: This is study uses CAR-T cells.

    ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06361836 
  • M23-698: A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Subjects with Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF Therapy. Sponsor - abbVie

    ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05889182

For more information about enrolling in clinical trials, contact a dermatology research fellow: Fahd Malik, M.D., at fahd.malik@health.slu.edu or 314-617-3356; or Brittani Jones, M.D., at brittani.jones2@slucare.ssmhealth.com or 314-617-3357.