Honoring 50 Years of Service

A visionary leader. A pioneer in skin disease research. A revered educator. A beloved mentor. A caring healer.

On July 1, 2024, the Department of Dermatology hosted two events celebrating 50 years of service from our former chair, David Norris, MD. 

Dr. Norris is an internationally renowned investigator in cutaneous immunology and cell biology, and melanoma research. He was continuously funded for 40 years by the NIH, studying mechanisms of cell death in photosensitive lupus, vitiligo, and alopecia areata and has made seminal discoveries regarding the role of ultraviolet light in inducing translocation of autoantigens to the plasma membrane in keratinocytes in photosensitive lupus. His interest in immune mechanisms in vitiligo led to many years of research in pigment cell biology, which eventually developed into studies of the resistance of melanocytes and melanoma to apoptosis. Over 17 years, Dr. Norris was funded by a VA Merit Award to study drug combinations that kill melanoma by overcoming anti-apoptotic defenses, especially in melanoma-initiating cells.

Browse the photo gallery below of the lunch event and Grand Rounds Tribute Lecture featuring three of our faculty: Dr. Yiqun Shellman, Dr. Mayumi Fujita, and Dr. Stanca Birlea. David Norris' family, our current residents, former department staff, and faculty members were in attendance.