Brian C Capell

Brian C Capell is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He holds concurrent appointments in the Department of Dermatology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Abramson Cancer Center, and Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine. His clinical expertise spans various skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratoses.

His research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms at the intersection of cancer, immunity, and metabolism, particularly in epithelial tissues like skin. Key areas include ferroptosis, histone modifiers, m6A RNA methylation, and sex chromosome-driven disease biases. His lab has identified novel roles for epigenetic regulators in tumor suppression and epithelial homeostasis.

Recent publications highlight his group's work on:

• Epigenetic control of lipid metabolism in carcinogenesis
• Non-catalytic functions of histone modifiers
• Role of H3K36 methylation in cellular plasticity
• Therapeutic potential of LSD1 inhibition

Honors include the NIH P30 Penn Skin Biology and Disease Research Center Pilot Award (2017). He has mentored students such as Gina Pacella and Nina Kuprasertkul, who defended their theses in 2025.