Karen Hastings, MD, PhD, Named Inaugural Chair of the Department of Dermatology

Founding faculty member Karen Taraszka Hastings, MD, PhD, has been named the inaugural chair of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Department of Dermatology.

“Dr. Hastings is a physician scientist who is internationally recognized for her research using cutting edge techniques to elucidate the immune response to skin cancer,” said Dean Guy Reed, MD, MS. “Her appointment will help establish the new department as a leader in Clinical and Translational Research in the fields of dermatology and immunology.”

As a board-certified dermatologist with a PhD in immunology, Dr. Hastings directs a laboratory that bridges the burgeoning field of immunotherapy with basic science approaches to identify novel approaches to improve T cell-mediated control of skin cancers. The Hastings Research Laboratory uses molecular, cellular and bioinformatic approaches to investigate how tumor cells are recognized and destroyed by T cells. Her research on melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma is supported by numerous grants from the NIH, the Department of Veterans Affairs, national foundations, and professional societies, as well as by contracts with industry partners.

In her role as professor of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Hastings has made numerous contributions to educational and research programs at the College of Medicine. These include roles in establishing the college’s MD/PhD Program – where she serves as co-director; leading an NIH-funded cancer research training program for Native American undergraduate students; helping to build the Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program; and playing a major role in the recruitment of faculty and leadership at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. Dr. Hastings also serves an attending physician in Dermatology at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

Dr. Hastings was recruited to the college in 2006 as a member of the inaugural faculty hired to create and implement the educational and research structure of the medical school. In addition to starting her basic and translational research programs, she developed and taught the immunology and dermatology-related components of the first- and second-year curriculum. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized by numerous awards and nominations for Excellence in Teaching. Her renowned mentorship has been recognized by the Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award and the numerous national grants and awards received by trainees in her laboratory.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School — where she received her MD and PhD — Dr. Hastings completed her residency in dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital and then finished a postdoctoral fellowship in immunobiology at Yale University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

“Dr. Hastings’ outstanding experience and accomplishments promise success of the new Department of Dermatology in achieving is mission of integrating excellence in translational research and dermatologic education to improve clinical care,” said Dean Reed.

She assumed the role on September 4.