Jouni Uitto

Biography

Jouni Uitto, MD, PhD, has been Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Chair of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1986 the Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. He received his MD and PhD degrees from the University of Helsinki, Finland, and completed his residency training in dermatology at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr Uitto is internationally recognized for his research on connective tissue biochemistry and molecular biology in relation to cutaneous diseases and skin aging. Dr Uitto's publications include articles in peer-reviewed journals, 269 textbook chapters and review articles, and 880 abstracts on presentations at national and international meetings. Dr Uitto has been honored with numerous awards from the National Institutes of Health, the Distinguished Service Award of the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Dermatology, and the Kung-Sun Oh Memorial. The Diminutive of the Dermatological Society, and the Kung-Sun Lectureship from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. The American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr Uitto has been awarded the prestigious Matti Äyräpää Lectureship, the highest physician-scientist award in his native country, Finland. In 1996, Dr Uitto was appointed as Anglo-American Visiting Professor of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, United Kingdom. He has received an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Kuopio and the University of Oulu, Finland, as well as the Honorary Professor from the University of Helsinki.

Research Interest

Dr. Uitto's research interests revolve around biochemistry and molecular biology of connective tissue, in relation to cutaneous diseases. The overall goal of his research is to elucidate the underlying molecular defects in collagen, elastin, and the basement membrane zone.