Unlock Dermatology Research Opportunities

Do you want to help people look and feel their best? Then dermatology may be the field for you! Dermatologists diagnose, treat, and prevent skin, hair, and nail conditions, including medical, surgical, and cosmetic issues. There are lots of subspecialties within dermatology, such as Dermatopathology, Pediatric Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. This means that as a dermatologist, you’ll be free to pursue your individual interests while helping others. 

Like many medical specialties, research is of the utmost importance. But how do aspiring medical students get started on a dermatology research project while you’re still in high school? This is where we come in. Here at Polygence, we specialize in helping students design and execute independent research projects based on their own unique interests, such as dermatology. By pairing students with research mentors with advanced degrees, Polygence empowers students to dream big and start research projects as early as their freshman or sophomore year. Whether you are interested in skin biology, melanoma, investigative dermatology, or investigating inflammatory skin diseases, research will provide an invaluable experience for students passionate about this field.

Why Satisfy Your Curiosity Through Dermatology Research?

From diagnosing and managing chronic skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, to treating potentially life-threatening conditions such as skin cancer, dermatologists work hard to improve their patients' quality of life. By addressing both medical and cosmetic concerns, dermatologists help patients achieve and maintain healthy skin — which can have a profound impact on their self-confidence and overall sense of well-being. Needless to say, dermatologists play an important role in the medical field, which is why dermatology research is such a worthwhile endeavor. 

How Exploring Dermatology Research Can Answer Big Questions

Dermatology research can spark curiosity and lead to new discoveries about skin health. It has the potential to impact medicine and often has a significant cultural impact as well. 

For instance, Polygence scholar Audrey Ajakaye created a three-part “Mind the Skin” podcast that explores the connections between skin disorders and mental health. The three episodes are  “Acne and Stress,” “Social phobias and Excessive Sweating,” and “Eczema and Anxiety. Other Polygence scholars have completed dermatology research projects on vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and skin types and their treatments. As you can see, the possibilities for dermatology research really are endless!

What Does the Pathway to Becoming a Dermatologist Look Like?  

At this point, you probably want to know how to become a dermatologist. You may also have other questions, such as “What are the different types of dermatologists?” and “How long does it take to become a dermatologist?” Rest assured, we will answer all of these questions and more!

From High School to Medical School: A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s no secret that becoming a dermatologist takes a lot of skill, passion, and dedication. But how long does it take to become a dermatologist, anyway? In most cases, it takes 12 years to become a certified dermatologist: 

• Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)

• Medical School (4 years)

• Internship (1 year) 

• Residency (3 years)

Medical school is incredibly competitive, so you’ll need to work hard during high school and college. In addition to having a competitive GPA, you’ll also need to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities (such as volunteering) and seek out plenty of medical research opportunities. 

If you’re interested in dermatology but don’t necessarily want to go to medical school, there are other options for you to explore as well. You could become a dermatologist nurse practitioner, a dermatologist physician’s assistant, or a dermatologist medical assistant — all of which offer meaningful careers but require varying educational requirements. 

For example, becoming a certified medical assistant generally takes 4-12 months. So if you need to start working sooner rather than later, becoming a dermatologist medical assistant could be a great way to gain practical experience before continuing your education. 

Navigating College and Medical School for a Dermatology Career

Choosing the right pre-med college is crucial for aspiring dermatologists. Look for institutions with strong pre-med advising, rigorous science curricula, and ample research resources and opportunities. Proximity to teaching hospitals or dermatology clinics can provide valuable clinical shadowing experiences as well. 

Pre-med students can major in whatever subject they’d like as long as they complete all of the requisite courses for medical school. This often includes Biology, Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, English, and Math.

Polygence dermatology mentor, Juliana N, shares the following advice with future dermatology students:

“For students interested in skincare or dermatology, I would strongly recommend focusing on an Undergraduate degree in a STEM-related field, specifically Biology, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering—as these disciplines form the foundation for understanding the science behind skin health and product development. After that, continuing your education with a Master’s and MD or PhD in related fields can really deepen your expertise and open doors to research and specialized roles within the industry. Dermatology is a field that combines both clinical and scientific innovation, so a strong academic background is crucial for long-term success.”

After you complete your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) and apply to medical school. Then, once you’re in medical school, you’ll spend the first two years learning foundational medicine in the classroom and the last two years gaining clinical experience in teaching hospitals. After graduating from medical school, you’ll need to complete an internship and a residency before you’re certified to practice on your own.

The Role of Research and Mentorship in a Dermatology Career

Engaging in dermatology research opportunities from high school onward can help secure competitive residencies and job opportunities in the future. Dermatology is a highly competitive specialty, so it’s important to seek out mentors and participate in guided research programs. In fact, participating in dermatology clinical research is the best strategy to gain admission to medical school and be placed in a dermatology residency. Our Polygence mentors can assist you in not only conducting research but also in analyzing clinical trials, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the scientific process and results interpretation, which is invaluable in the field of dermatology.

How to Do a Deep Dive into Dermatology Research as a High School Student

If you’re interested in pursuing dermatology research opportunities during your high school career, you’ll want to check out these three top-tier dermatology research programs: 

1. DermCare Experts Urban High School Premedical Mentorship Program

2. Pathways Program by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

3.  Penn Academy for Skin Health (PASH) Program

You’ll also want to look into other medical research programs, such as the ones listed below. While these medical research programs do not necessarily specialize in dermatology, there is often room to specialize within the context of these programs. 

1. Denver Health's Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) Program

2. Duke University's Pre-College Healthcare Program

3. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program

4. Harvard Medical School's Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program

5. Harvard Medical School's Project Success for High School Students

6. Ladder Internships

7. Los Angeles Pediatric Society's Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

8. National Institute of Health’s High School Summer Internship Program

9. Northwestern University's Medicine Intensive Program for High School Students

10. Penn State College of Medicine's Research Internships

11. Rady Children's Hospital's Summer Medical Academy

12. Rutgers Health New Jersey Medical School High School Student Internships

13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

14. UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center's ResearcHStart

It’s important to keep in mind that future dermatologists can benefit from any and all medical research opportunities. Not only do medical research programs provide students with valuable learning opportunities, but they also bolster their medical school applications. This is why participating in research projects early and often is the best strategy for success! 

Check out our article,  Top 10 Medical Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students, for even more dermatology research opportunities!

Hands-On Research Topics for High Schoolers

Choosing a research topic that satisfies personal curiosity and contributes to scientific understanding can be a difficult task. This is where research mentors come in. In addition to helping you find a topic that you’re passionate about, research mentors can help you determine the appropriate scope of your project. 

Polygence mentor Juliana N, shares that:

“I would love to see students explore topics such as the effects of environmental stressors on skin aging or advances in personalized skincare solutions. Research into how microbiomes influence skin conditions, or developing sustainable, eco-friendly skincare formulations, are also exciting areas that hold immense potential for future innovations.”

The Role of Curiosity in Dermatology Research

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. In addition to serving as the first line of defense against environmental threats, the skin is also responsible for regulating body temperature and facilitating sensory perception. Dermatologists possess an in-depth understanding of the complex structure and functions of the skin, as well as the various diseases and disorders that can affect it. The most successful dermatologists think outside of the box and possess plenty of curiosity and creativity. 

How Research Mentorship Can Help You Excel in Dermatology

Collaborating with others and seeking out mentorship opportunities will help you excel in dermatology. This is because networking is one of the cornerstones of building a successful career, regardless of your field. Building a robust professional network through mentorships will help you find even more research opportunities, which may eventually turn into job leads.  

Finding the Right Mentors for Your Dermatology Research

In addition to finding Medical Research Project Ideas for High School Students, you’ll also need to find a dermatology research mentor. After all, mentorships help high school students dive deeper into complete topics by helping them formulate research questions, conduct experiments, and analyze results.

Polygence has lots of great dermatology research mentors, including: 

• Madeline M

• Austin J

• Enze X

Polygence’s Personalized Research Programs

Polygence offers tailored research projects with expert mentors to satisfy individual curiosity and research goals. Students are paired with mentors based on shared interests, research goals, and learning styles. Not only are Polygence mentors experts in their fields, but they are also passionate educators eager to help students succeed. Overall, personalized mentorships build confidence while ensuring a successful research experience.

Satisfy Your Curiosity and Explore Dermatology with Polygence

As a high school student, you may feel overwhelmed by the idea of conducting a dermatology research project, but Polygence mentors are here to help! From helping you come up with a research topic to providing personal feedback on your project, Polygence mentors will help you develop the skills you need to succeed. In fact, Polygence alums have even gone on to publish their papers in Top Medical Journals for High School Students. 

Dermatology research can help students apply knowledge to real life, solve problems, and open doors to exciting career opportunities. So don’t wait! Reach out to Polygence today to see how we can help you reach your educational and career goals.