Amanda Nelson

Dr. Amanda Nelson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the One Health Microbiome Center. She leads research on sebaceous glands, skin stem cells, and inflammatory mechanisms in acne and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), employing a "Bed to Bench to Bedside" approach with patients, clinicians, and bioinformaticians. Her team collaborates with industry partners to develop novel therapies.

• Education: PhD from Penn State College of Medicine (2007), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2010-2013) and Penn State College of Medicine (2007-2010).

Her research focuses on:

• Sebaceous gland biology in acne pathogenesis
• Skin microbiome interactions with host immune responses
• Role of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in wound healing
• Mechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases
• Translational studies bridging clinical and bench research

Recent publications highlight her work on Cutibacterium acnes strains, apocrine gland destruction in HS, and standardized reporting frameworks for skin disease studies. Her research aligns with UN SDGs in health and education.

Scientific Awards:
• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019)
• Junior Faculty Teaching Award in Basic Science (2020)

Dr. Nelson directs the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program track and contributes to the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program. She has secured three major NIH-funded projects (2012, 2016, 2022) investigating cytokine regulation in skin regeneration, TLR3 signaling in skin homeostasis, and adherens junction dysfunction in HS. Her lab explores the interplay between skin microbiome and immune responses.