Kathleen J Green

Kathleen J. Green, PhD, is the Joseph L. Mayberry, Sr., Professor of Pathology and Toxicology at Northwestern University and Professor in the Department of Dermatology. She serves as Associate Director for Basic Sciences at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research centers on cadherins and desmosomes in tissue morphogenesis, mechanical/chemical signaling, and skin/heart diseases.

• Education: BA from Pomona College (1977), PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Washington University (1982)
• Key affiliations: Feinberg School of Medicine, Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-Based Center, Center for Genetic Medicine

Dr. Green's work explores how keratinocyte cadherins integrate signaling pathways for tissue formation, with implications for cancer, skin diseases, and heart conditions. Her lab focuses on cell-cell communication, mechanical cues, and paracrine signaling. Recent publications highlight desmosome dysfunction in melanoma, calcium signaling in stem cells, and therapeutic targets for acantholytic disorders.

• Notable awards: German National Academy of Sciences membership (2016), Tripartite Legacy Prize (2019), AAAS Fellow (1999)
• Leadership roles: Past President, Society for Investigative Dermatology; Secretary, American Society for Cell Biology