Diona Damian

Professor Diona Damian is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of Sydney’s Central Clinical School. Her research focuses on skin cancer chemoprevention, photoprotection, and the immune microenvironment of skin cancers, particularly in high-risk populations like organ transplant recipients. She leads clinical trials such as the SiroSkin study evaluating topical sirolimus for squamous cell carcinoma prevention and the ONTRAC study on nicotinamide’s role in reducing skin cancer incidence.

Her work integrates translational research with clinical practice, addressing mechanisms of UV-induced immunosuppression and developing strategies to mitigate cancer risk. Key contributions include demonstrating nicotinamide’s efficacy in reducing actinic keratoses and melanoma progression.

Recent publications emphasize tumor immune dynamics in melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as behavioral interventions for sunscreen adherence. Grants include Cancer Institute NSW and NHMRC funding for studies on skin cancer prevention and microenvironment modulation.

Her research spans dermatology, oncology, and immunology, with a focus on translational outcomes for high-impact clinical interventions.