Program for Clinical Research & Technology

STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Department of Dermatology

Our lab specializes in developing innovative skin cancer prevention strategies and improving the dermatologic care patients receive.

Main Research Areas

Innovative technology for cancer prevention

Shared Decision-Making for Older Adults

Equality & Diversity in Medicine

Our Team

Tiffani Johnson, Medical Student Researcher

Zhuo Ran Cai, MD, Postdoctoral Researcher — Zhuo Ran Cai, MD, Postdoctoral Scholar

Fonette Fonjungo, Medical Student Researcher

Dr Sonia Onyeka, MBBS MRCGP, Postdoctoral Scholar

Michael Chen, Medical Student Researcher

Vanessa Nava, Medical Student Researcher

Isabelle Krakowski, MD, Research Affiliate

Shawheen J. Rezaei, MPhil, Medical Student Researcher

Beth Young, BS, Administrative Associate

Melina Demokritou, BS, Clinical Research Coordinator

Selected Publications

For a full list of Dr. Linos’ Publications, click HERE.

Over-treatment of Skin Cancer

Our work on skin cancer treatment at the end of life introduced the concept of over-treatment and over-diagnosis of skin cancer in the field of dermatology. We found patients’ personal characteristics and preferences matter beyond the traditional factors used to choose skin cancer treatments. We are developing a patient decision aid to guide patients in choosing the skin cancer management option that aligns best with their health and preferences. Our research suggests that there is potential over-use of surgery at the end of life, questioning the status quo. To address this issue, we are creating a video to inform patients about the possibility of active surveillance of their skin cancer (i.e., keeping a close eye on it and treat it if necessary).

Geriatric Dermatology

Dr. Linos’ perspective piece on geriatric dermatology established a new framework for caring for older adults with skin disease. Our team has studied several of the topics outlined in this framework including: reducing overtreatment of skin cancer in older adults, measuring the impact of polypharmacy and medication adverse effects in older adults, assessing the prevalence of atopic eczema and antihistamine prescription patterns in older adults.

Technology & Public Health

We have worked on several research projects examining the influence and use of technology on major public health problems. One of our main efforts has focused on developing innovative techniques for skin cancer prevention using social media. Specifically, we have collaborated with designers and technology companies to build digital platforms and evaluate the impact of targeted skin cancer prevention messages. In addition, we have studied how smartphone-based conversational agents respond to mental health and interpersonal violence.

We advocate for diversity and gender equity in medicine by writing both original data articles and perspective pieces on these topics. Our BMJ article on gender equity in medical leadership, and JAMA-Internal Medicine piece on experiences of discrimination among physician mothers were both widely disseminated, cited by mainstream news, universities and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Our 2018 JAMA research letter on paid family leave among top medical schools was followed by announcements by several institutions that they would increase their paid family leave for faculty. Our publications on the importance of diversity in the dermatology workforce have become part of ongoing discussions addressing solutions to this problem within our field.

Diversity & Gender Equity

Indoor Tanning Prevalence & Policy

Our research on the harms of tanning beds published in the BMJ and JAMA Dermatology received widespread media attention and was cited in state and federal legislative hearings on tanning bed bans for minors. In 2013 and 2014, several states banned indoor tanning for minors, and two landmark reports by the FDA and Surgeon General called for better labeling on harms of tanning booths and for bans on tanning for minors. In December 2015, the FDA proposed a ban on tanning bed use for minors, citing this work. The World Health Organization’s 2017 infographics and posters on indoor tanning cite 3 studies (2 are from our team).