The University of Wisconsin Department of Dermatology conducts clinical research on a wide range of topics in both children and adults. Use the links below to jump to sections of our Clinical Research website.
Ongoing Clinical, Translational and Therapeutic Research
Clinical, Immunologic, and Genetic Characterization of Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions
Our goal is to develop a better understanding of the cause of severe blistering skin reactions or related disorders. We hope that by better understanding the cause we may be able to improve care for people who are affected by these skin reactions.
Study Type: Non-Intervention
Category: Skin Reactions
Enrollment Status: Open to Enrollment
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Eligibility Criteria
- Individual of any age from infant to adult
- Diagnosis of severe mucocutaneous reactions or related disorders including reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruptions (RIME), Mycoplasma-induced rash and mucositis (MIRM), erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), Drug-Induced Epidermal Necrolysis (DEN) and other disorders on this spectrum. Participants with recurrent disease should have at least one episode that was diagnosed by a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist.
- Medical records available and willing to provide access to the study team
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
 Beth Drolet, MDPrincipal Investigator |
| Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
USCLC National Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry
The primary goal of the USCLC is to establish a registry of patients with cutaneous lymphoma in the United States. This is particularly important as some of the types of cutaneous lymphoma are very rare and it is only with a collaborative effort across multiple institutions and sites that enough data can be generated on each of these types of cancer.
Study Type: Non-Intervention
Category: Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Enrollment Status: Open to Enrollment
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Participation Includes
- Data collected from your medical record about your disease
- Log into the registry to complete online questionnaires about how your disease affects your life
Eligibility Criteria
- Diagnosis of Cutaneous Lymphoma
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
 Gary S. Wood, MDPrincipal Investigator |
| Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
dermatology.wisc.edu/research/clinical-research/#USCLC-National-Cutaneous-Lymphoma-Registry
Multicenter Phenotype-Genotype Analysis of Vascular Anomalies and Related Syndromes
The purpose of this research study is to develop a better understanding of the cause and natural history of vascular anomalies and related syndromes. We are doing this study because we hope that by better understanding the cause we may be able to improve care for people who are affected by these anomalies and related syndromes.
Study Type: Non-Intervention
Category: Venous Malformations
Enrollment Status: Open to Enrollment
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Participation Includes
- Data collected from your medical record about your disease
- Optional Skin Biopsy
- Optional Blood Sample
- Optional Spit Sample
- Optional Cheek Swab
- Optional donation of excess tissue collected from a surgery
Eligibility Criteria
- Individual of any age from infant to adult
- Diagnosed with a vascular anomaly or discrepancy of growth
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
| Beth Drolet, MD Principal Investigator |
| Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
dermatology.wisc.edu/research/clinical-research/#Multicenter-Phenotype-Genotype-Analysis
Histologic Evaluation of Cutaneous SCC Debulk Specimens Prior to MMS for Accurate Staging and Biomarker Correlation
The main purpose of this study is to research on the current methods of grading skin cancer and how that relates to the long term health outcomes of patients with SCC including rates of metastasis (spread).
Study Type: Non-Intervention
Category: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Enrollment Status: Open to Enrollment
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Participation Includes
- Participation in the research study involves the collection of information from your medical records regarding your skin cancer and will not require any additional time.
- If tissue is sent to the pathology lab after removal of your SCC, we would also like your permission to use a small portion for our research on proteins that play a role in SCC.
Eligibility Criteria
- 18 years of age or older
- Undergoing a standard-of-care removal of SCC in a dermatology clinic
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
 Gloria Xu, MD, PhDPrincipal Investigator |
| Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
Multicenter Phenotype-Genotype Analysis of Vascular Stains to Optimize Treatment Utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography
The purpose of this research study is to develop a better understanding of vascular stains and to improve the usual laser treatment for your vascular stain by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). We are doing this study because we hope that by better understanding vascular stains and using OCT, we may be able to improve care for people who are affected by these stains.
Study Type: Intervention
Category: Vascular Anomalies and Birthmarks
Enrollment Status: On Hold
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Participation Includes
- One-time blood, spit, and/or skin sample
- Complete a short questionnaire at each visit
- Length of study varies
Eligibility Criteria
- Individual of any age from infant to adult
- Diagnosed with a vascular stain on any anatomic location based on the discretion of the study physician
- Has elected to receive standard of care laser treatment for their vascular stain
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
 Lisa Arkin, MDPrincipal Investigator |
| Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
dermatology.wisc.edu/research/clinical-research/#Optical-Coherence-Tomography
NIH ID
Evaluation of Circulating Tumor Cells in Melanoma
The aim of this study is to develop and optimize a microfluidic immunosensor array method for detection and capture of intact melanoma CTC in patients diagnosed with primary melanoma.
Study Type: Non-Intervention
Category: Melanoma
Enrollment Status: Not Open to Enrollment
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Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion
- At least 18 years of age or older
- Melanoma Subject: Diagnosis of Stage I-IV melanoma
- Healthy Subject: Healthy person
Exclusion
- Currently in prison or institutionalized (psychiatric)
- Healthy Subject: history of melanoma, other cancer, or inflammatory skin disease
Principal Investigator and Contact Information
 Vijayasaradhi Setaluri, PhDPrincipal Investigator |
| Christina Sheehan Primary Contact clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu (608) 287-2622 |
Direct Link to this Study
dermatology.wisc.edu/research/clinical-research/#Circulating-tumor-cells-in-melanoma
Contacts
Christina Sheehan – Clinical Research Supervisor
Dept. of Dermatology
csheehan@dermatology.wisc.edu
Ph: 608-287-2622
Fax: 608-287-2693
Nariko Lee – Clinical Research Coordinator
Dept. of Dermatology
clinicaltrials@dermatology.wisc.edu
Ph: 608-287-2622
Fax: 608-287-2693
Clinical Investigators
Beth Drolet, MD
Position title: Professor and Chair, Geneva F. and Sture Johnson Distinguished Chair
Molly Hinshaw, MD
Position title: Professor, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Medical Director, Section Chief of Dermatopathology
Yaohui (Gloria) Xu, MD, PhD
Position title: Professor and Section Chief of Mohs Dermatologic Surgery; Director of Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship
Clinical Research Fellows
Santanna Patterson
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, MD Candidate Class of 2026
To Heal
Our Mission
To Educate
To Discover