Keynote

““Playing the Organoid: Keys to Understanding Skin Biology” Bethany E. Perez White, PhD Assistant Professor-Department of Dermatology Associate Director-Skin Tissue Engineering and Morphology (STEM) Core Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University bethany.perez-white@northwestern.edu

Credentials

PhD in Biopharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago MS in Molecular Biology, University of Cyprus BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Biological Sciences), University of Illinois at Chicago

Research Interests

The Perez White laboratory strives to conduct leading-edge research in epidermal biology to impact medicine and advance our understanding of skin. To this end, they incorporate hypothesis-driven research with innovative human developmental and disease models with discovery approaches. Specifically, the Perez White laboratory employs bioengineered human skin organ and organoid models with proteomics, RNA sequencing, and microarray analysis. They uniquely exploit the use of primary human skin cells to identify key signal transduction mechanisms that drive the physiological state of skin tissue and how these pathways may be hijacked to contribute to pathological states. The overall aim of this research direction is to define receptor tyrosine kinase signal networks underlying epidermal homeostasis and barrier function.

Accomplishments

Dr. Perez White obtained her BS from the University of Illinois at Chicago. At UIC, she had her first experience in a biomedical research laboratory as a student studying breast cancer. After graduation, Dr. Perez White had the unique opportunity to continue her research and study at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus where she graduated with an MS. She returned to Chicago to pursue her doctorate in biopharmaceutical sciences at the UIC College of Pharmacy. She joined the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University as a postdoctoral scholar where she was promoted to faculty. Dr. Perez White has awards for research and scholarship, including several NIH grants. She has published 36 research manuscripts, book chapters, and reviews. Dr. Perez White has a strong track record of mentoring and prioritizes training students new to research, including hosting many IMSA students since 2017.

April 17th 2025