Mentee: Robyn G. Ku, BS
Mentor: Jessica Shiu, MD, PhD
Duke University School of Medicine
I completed a 2.5-week observership at the UCI Department of Dermatology with Dr. Jessica Shiu. During this observership, I gained valuable insight into her career as a physician-scientist. I was able to join her in clinic and work with both her and UCI residents to see a variety of patients. The patient population in Irvine is demographically different from the patient population in Durham, providing valuable experience in caring for skin of color patients with different skin tones and needs.
I joined Dr. Shiu in lab where her current research fellow oriented me to the basic science research and clinical trials her lab is currently conducting for both melanoma and vitiligo. My current research is primarily clinical and retrospective in nature. Having an opportunity to learn about ongoing translational research and how clinical trials are conducted was a valuable introduction into what other types of research I can conduct as a dermatologist.
I also had an opportunity to work with other attendings at UCI who enhanced my experience during this observership. I joined Dr. Aditi A. Sharma in her clinic where I learned about how to tailor laser hair removal treatment to skin of color patients. She also took the time to review a research article examining treatment of melasma in skin of color patients. I appreciated her dedication to providing skin of color related education during clinic.
Overall, the SOCS observership grant allowed me to work with attendings and residents I would not have otherwise had a chance to during medical school. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about ongoing skin of color research and treatment advances in the field. Working at another institution allowed me to gain a better understanding on how different dermatology departments function which has been valuable as I decide the program qualities I am looking for when I apply to residency this Fall. I am especially grateful that I now have additional mentors who I can turn to for advice and support during residency and beyond.