In between the two residencies for internal medicine and dermatology, I did a NIH post-doctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University and Rockefeller Hospital on the therapeutics of psoriasis under the tutelage of Dr. James Kruger M.D., PhD in his Investigative Dermatology laboratory. This bench to bedside science represented clinical research at its best. We modeled psoriasis as the prototype autoimmune disease. In the most simplistic explanation, psoriasis represents overactive T-lymphocytes and their mediators triggering the overgrowth of keratinocytes, or skin cells. Our research incorporated manipulating the man-made molecule DAB(389)IL-2 to trace and code the causative immune pathways of psoriasis. This research proved to be futuristic, laying down the groundwork for the current class of therapeutics – the biologics – medicines used in the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.  

This research in my early years in dermatology has heightened my clinical acumen not only in psoriasis but also for diagnosing and treating other autoimmune diseases. When a patient walks into my office with psoriasis, I am reminded of my early years of training, and I am confident.  

[insert review from Julian Russo explaining how he was reimbursed by insurance after going out of network]