Lisa A. Beck

Lisa A. Beck, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center's School of Medicine and Dentistry. She also holds joint appointments in the Department of Medicine (Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology) and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. As the Lowell A. and Carol A. Goldsmith Professor in Dermatology, Dr. Beck brings over 25 years of experience specializing in atopic dermatitis and eczema treatment and research. She serves as Co-Director of the URMC Center for Allergic Disease Research, which holds the World Allergy Organization's Center of Excellence designation.

• MD: State University of New York at Stony Brook (1985)
• Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center (1985-1986)
• Residency: Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center (1987-1990)
• Fellowship: Research, Johns Hopkins Hospital (1992-1994)

Dr. Beck's research has been instrumental in developing dupilumab (Dupixent), the first biologic drug approved for moderate to severe eczema. Her work focuses on understanding why certain eczema patients are susceptible to viral infections like herpes simplex and bacterial colonization with Staphylococcus aureus. She has been continuously NIH-funded since 1994 and serves as co-PI of the NIH/NIAID-funded Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN) since 2004, which maintains the largest cross-sectional registry of deeply phenotyped AD subjects worldwide. Dr. Beck is Secretary of the International Eczema Council and President-Elect of the Society of Investigative Dermatology.

Analysis of Dr. Beck's recent publications reveals a strong focus on biologic treatments for atopic dermatitis, particularly dupilumab, and their effects on inflammatory biomarkers, patient outcomes, and long-term disease management. Her work increasingly examines the relationship between skin barrier dysfunction, microbiome interactions, and immune responses in eczema pathogenesis. Recent studies also address specialized populations including pregnant women and children, reflecting a growing emphasis on tailored treatment approaches across the lifespan.

• Dermatology Faculty Teaching Award (2008)
• Mentor for multiple research grant recipients (2005-2007)
• Physician-Scientist Award (1994)
• Research Award (1994)
• Teaching Appreciation Award (1992)
• Internal Medicine Teaching Award (1992)

Dr. Beck has maintained continuous NIH funding since 1994, serving as co-PI of the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network since 2004 and PI of the ADRN Biomarker Repository since 2014, which houses over 150,000 serum and skin swab samples. As founding director of the URMC Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit, she has completed more than 14 clinical trials with exceptional enrollment and retention rates, maintaining a registry of over 500 atopic dermatitis patients. Her mentorship has supported numerous young investigators through Howard Hughes, AAAAI, and NEASE research grants.

Dr. Beck co-directs the URMC Center for Allergic Disease Research (CADR), one of only four US centers designated as a World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence. She leads the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network, which maintains the largest registry of deeply phenotyped atopic dermatitis subjects globally. Her laboratory investigates skin barrier function, viral susceptibility mechanisms, and the relationship between skin microbiome and immune responses in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis.