Richard L Edelson

Richard L Edelson, MD is the Anthony N. Brady Professor of Dermatology and former Chair of Yale School of Medicine's Department of Dermatology (1986-2022). He pioneered the concept of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and developed extracorporeal photochemotherapy (photopheresis), an FDA-approved immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune disorders. His research focuses on dendritic cell biology, cancer immunotherapy, and immunomodulation. Edelson holds leadership roles including former Yale Cancer Center Director and Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs. He is a member of prestigious societies like the American Society for Clinical Investigation and Association of American Physicians.

Education: MD from Yale University (1970), residency in Dermatology at Harvard and Columbia, immunology fellowship at NIH. Board-certified in Dermatology (1977).

Research interests include CTCL mechanisms, photopheresis efficacy, and translational immunology. He has trained over 60 academic dermatologists, including 8 department chairs nationwide. Awards include National Physician of the Year (2012), Dermatology Foundation Discovery Award (2015), and Yale Cancer Center's Lifetime Achievement Award (2022).

Current projects involve enhancing graft-vs-tumor immunity post-stem cell transplants, developing rapid infection immunization, and studying exosome contributions to anti-cancer immunity. Active at Yale Dermatology Associates and involved in clinical care for cutaneous lymphoma patients.