Introducing Dermatology Times’ 2025 Editor in Chief

Dermatology Times recently sat down with its newest Editor in Chief, Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, to learn more about his research, career goals, mentorship advice, and more.

Research and Career

Q: How does your work in x-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) contribute to research advancements in dermatology?

Chemistry and the structure-function relationship that it drives is essential to understanding how normal biological processes occur in the skin, the mechanism of how dermatology therapeutics work, and why aberrant pathophysiology may drive dermatologic disease. X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM investigate the atomic resolution world, or the atoms and bonds of the skin, and the goal of my research team is to apply these techniques across all areas of dermatology. By knowing the molecular underpinnings of how diseases occur and drugs work, dermatologists are better equipped to provide quality care to patients.

Q: What achievements in your career are you most proud of?

I was inspired to pursue structural biology because of my father, who was a crystallographer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was a part of the NASA protein crystallization program, where scientists send crystal growth experiments into space to take advantage of the microgravity environment, which facilitates better crystal growth. Exposure to such cool science as a kid led to me conducting my junior high school science fair project on mimicking the microgravity environment of space here on Earth to grow better protein crystals. This was the start of my structural biology career!

During my PhD research with Walter Chazin, [PhD,] at Vanderbilt University, my first crystals were grown just before the Christmas holidays. Rather than wait to collect the data, I brought the crystals from Nashville to Oak Ridge and spent my break collecting x-ray data in my dad’s lab. This became the first crystal structure I independently determined, and I am proud that my father and I were coauthors together on this manuscript — publishing with him is a very proud moment in my career because he died of cancer just a few years later.¹ He never saw me enter dermatology, and he never saw me establish my independent research career. I am proud that he would be proud of the person, clinician, and investigator I have become.

Bunick's junior high school science fair project

Q: What do you think is one of the most pressing issues dermatology clinicians and their patients face today?

One of the most pressing issues for patients is rising insurance costs yet decreased or difficult access to innovative and advanced therapies. For clinicians, decreased reimbursement amid rising practice costs, economic inflation, and persistent regulatory and documentation burdens continue to be pressing issues that detract from patient care.

Q: What do you see as the next big breakthrough in dermatology, and how might it impact clinical practice?

Two areas that will be big breakthroughs in dermatology are utilization of mRNA vaccines and development of disease-remitting therapies for inflammatory skin diseases. Moderna is well on its way to developing an mRNA vaccine for melanoma, which may revolutionize how we treat patients with melanoma and improve their life expectancy. While numerous advanced systemic therapies for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis exist, therapies that provide long-lasting disease remission could shake up the treatment paradigm.

Q: Can you share a memorable experience or patient encounter that has shaped your career?

One of the most important moments that launched my physician-scientist career occurred the night before my residency interview day at Yale University. During the pre-interview dinner, I happened to serendipitously sit across from Yale’s [dermatology] chairman at the time, Rick Edelson, [MD]. Rick and I hit it off instantly and had a deep conversation about structural biology and how it might be incorporated into dermatology. Rick always had a non–cookie-cutter vision for dermatologic research at Yale, and his belief that a structural biologist could thrive in dermatology gave me the opportunity and confidence to pursue my passion as a resident and as faculty. A couple years after the interview, Rick encouraged me to pursue a postdoc with Nobel Laureate Tom Steitz, [PhD,] which ultimately provided me with a rich intellectual biochemistry and structural biology environment to develop as an independent investigator.

Q: What are you currently studying?

The primary focus of our NIH R01 grant is on the molecular mechanisms of intermediate filament assembly and function in the skin. This entails understanding the structure and function of keratins – such as found in hair, nails, and the epidermal barrier – and other intermediate filaments such as vimentin. We also have a substantial research program investigating the molecular mechanisms of dermatologic drugs, both small molecules and biologics. The goal is to leverage my clinical and scientific expertise in immuno-dermatology, including atopic dermatitis, psoriatic diseases, hidradenitis suppurativa, and alopecia areata, to advance education on the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases and the therapies emerging to treat them. Lastly, I am dedicated to patient safety through an evidence-based approach; for example, investigating and educating on the long-term safety of systemic JAK inhibitors.

Q: What are you most proud of personally and professionally?

Personally, I am most proud of the time I spent reading children’s books every night with my 2 sons at bedtime. It was precious bonding, vicarious fun, and educational time I spent nearly every night for over a decade with them. I am quite fond of the Geronimo Stilton book series! Nothing can make me prouder than seeing my children happy and successful in life. Professionally, I am most proud of the loyalty and dedication my research lab has shown to our dermatology mission, particularly Ivan Lomakin, [PhD,] and Minh Ho, [MS,] both of whom are essential to our group’s long-term accomplishments.

Why Dermatology?

Q: What sparked your initial interest in dermatology?

In my first 2 years of medical school, I actually thought dermatology was gross and there was no way I could ever do it! My main focus in my PhD, however, was on the nucleotide excision DNA repair pathway, specifically characterizing the DNA damage recognition protein xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) protein.² Having a skin disease-related PhD project opened my eyes to the many positives of dermatology. I then spent one month rotating on the Vanderbilt dermatology service with an inspiring mentor, dermatologist John Zic, [MD, MMHC,] and his passion for dermatology transferred to me and I haven’t looked back.

Q: What continues to keep you passionate about dermatology?

Two main factors: first, advancing the science of skin and skin therapeutics from a molecular and structural perspective; and second, elevating the standards of care for patients. Finding new ways to translate the scientific innovation into practical clinical advancements excites me. I learned that one way to be happy and excited each day is to pick projects and a clinical specialty that make you jump out of bed each morning ready to work. Dermatology does that for me — no coffee needed!

Addressing Burnout

Q: What advice would you share with fellow clinicians who are balancing many things at once: patients, research, travel and speaking opportunities, teaching, and families?

Work-life balance is essential and provides a source of happiness, renewal, and perspective. Each person and situation is different, however. Good communication, understanding, and emotional intelligence is needed to navigate the modern demands of medicine and family life.

Mentorship and Advice

Q: Who and/or what has been the biggest influence in your professional journey?

The biggest influence was my parents. I grew up at the dinner table listening to my mom, a clinical endocrinologist, and my father, a biophysicist and structural biologist, talk medicine and science, respectively. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to do medicine or science, so I chose a career combining both. Growing up in a medical and scientific household really shaped my interests, and I was fortunate at Vanderbilt as an undergraduate to get early acceptance as a sophomore to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; as a result, I never had to take the MCAT, and instead I was able to use my time to play varsity soccer and perform substantial undergraduate structural biology research with Gerald Stubbs, [DPhil,] investigating filamentous plant viruses. I apply what I learned about filamentous systems still today, as my lab researches intermediate filaments, like keratins, and their numerous biological and structural roles in human health and disease.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to early-career clinicians?

I had the privilege in 2014 of attending the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany. I published a perspective piece on this meeting and offered 5 pearls of wisdom I learned at the meeting for young researchers.³ These can be tweaked to apply to young clinicians too: (1) choose excellent mentors; (2) read profusely; (3) make sure you enjoy what you do; (4) learn to provide “good medicine” first, because this matters to patients the most (I like the general rule of “Treat your patient as if they were your own family member”); and (5) share willingly.

Q: If you could instill 1 core value in every dermatology clinician, what would it be and why?

Compassion. The doctor-patient relationship thrives the most when the clinician feels genuine compassion toward the patient and [their] experience. Medicine is more than just arriving at a prescription, and compassion is a core value that goes a long way toward mitigating illness.

Fun Facts

Q: What involvements or hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?

I love working out — lifting weights, running, and biking on Peloton. Playing and watching soccer and other sports, such as football, with my 2 sons. Hiking, particularly waterfall hikes, and snorkeling. Rooting for all Boston sports teams! I love to travel and see and experience new places.

Q: What sport did you play in college?

I played varsity soccer from 1996-2000 at Vanderbilt.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I love dancing — particularly swing dancing, Lindy Hop, and ballroom dancing. I used to go with my Vanderbilt medical school friends to dance in Centennial Park every Saturday night in the summers in Nashville, TN.

Looking Ahead

Q: How do you believe Dermatology Times can stay relevant in such a rapidly evolving field?

Dermatology is rapidly evolving, and that stems from the significant innovation in treatments for all the various diseases we treat. One of the best ways to stay relevant is to ensure Dermatology Times is educating dermatology providers on the latest therapies and techniques being used, providing education around new uses of established medications and devices, and delivering accurate facts about clinical trials ongoing in our field.

Q: What can readers expect under your guidance?

First, a commitment to truth, integrity, and accurate dissemination of evidence-based medicine and science. Second, an upholding of the highest ethical and moral standards and values that reflect the compassion and care patients deserve. Third, ensuring Dermatology Times is a platform dedicated to all people in our beloved field.

Q: What motivated you to take on the role of Editor in Chief?

It is all about advocacy for the patient – giving the dermatology patient the greatest voice. As Editor in Chief, I hope to connect the science, the clinic, and the patient voice in a way that deepens and strengthens our wonderful specialty. The providers cannot go forward without the patients, and the patients may not heal without the providers. My hope is to ensure that the advancements in skin science and clinical practice (eg, standards, guidelines, technologies, aesthetic approaches, etc) are integrated, understood, and fundamentally address the daily concerns being brought forth by the patients. Utilizing the various mediums available to Dermatology Times, we can raise the standard of patient and provider education in 2025 and beyond.

Q: What would you like your lasting legacy on dermatology to be?

Most importantly, I want to be known as a kind person who worked hard to advance science and patient care in dermatology. I hope that I will have imparted on the specialty a unique molecular way of thinking about skin disease and its treatments. And like all the mentors who shaped me and paved the way for me to have the career I have now, I want to give that education and advice back to the next generation.

References

1. Bunick CG, Nelson MR, Mangahas S, et al. Designing sequence to control protein function in an EF-hand protein. J Am Chem Soc. 2004;126(19):5990-5998. doi:10.1021/ja0397456
2. Bunick CG, Miller MR, Fuller BE, Fanning E, Chazin WJ. Biochemical and structural domain analysis of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C protein. Biochemistry. 2006;45(50):14965-14979. doi:10.1021/bi061370o
3. Bunick CG. Perspectives on physiology and medicine from Nobel Prize Winners: the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. J Invest Dermatol. 2014;134(12):2853-2855. doi: 10.1038/jid.2014.358