
CONTACT INFO
To Contact Peter M. Elias, M.D.
To Contact Mary L. Williams, M.D.
To Contact Elias and Williams
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Selected Publications
Mary L. Williams, M.D. is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco. She received her medical degree from the University of Chicago, trained at the University of California San Francisco, and is board certified in both pediatrics and dermatology. Her laboratory research has focused on the pathogenesis of inherited disorders of cornification (the ‘ichthyosis’) and on the prenatal development of the epidermal permeability barrier. She is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and an invited speaker at regional, national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Williams was elected to membership in the Society for Pediatric Research, and has been an officer in professional societies, including the Women’s Dermatologic Society and the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. She is the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Peter M. Elias, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco, and a Staff Physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco. He received his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco and trained in dermatology at Harvard University. Dr. Elias has authored or co-authored over 550 peer-reviewed scientific articles, innumerable review articles, and he has edited or co-authored three books on the subject of the skin barrier in health and disease. He is an invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings; and has been a consultant to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Dr. Elias was elected to memberships in the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Association of Professors. He is the recipient of many honors, including the William Montagna and the Kligman-Frost Awards from the Society of Investigative Dermatology.
Dr. Elias has devoted his research program to elucidating multiple aspects of epidermal biology, focusing primarily on the skin’s permeability barrier, as well as its other protective functions. All of his research ultimately is aimed at improving the care of dermatology patients through a better understanding of disease-causing mechanisms and through the development of novel therapies, with improved safety profiles, aimed at counteracting pathological processes. With colleagues, his work led to the discovery of ‘optimal mixtures’ of physiologic lipids for barrier repair. One formulation is currently available as a prescription product, EpiCeram®.
Currently, he and Dr. Williams are writing a book on the skin barrier for a broad audience.