Mackenzie Wehner

Mackenzie Wehner, MD, MPhil is an Assistant Professor in both the Department of Health Services Research (within the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences) and the Department of Dermatology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also holds an adjunct appointment at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School. Dr. Wehner leads the Wehner Laboratory, which focuses on patient-oriented skin cancer research.

Dr. Wehner's research centers on skin cancer prevention and risk assessment, with particular emphasis on understanding the relationship between precursor lesions and future skin cancers, identifying early prognostic markers for high-risk patients, and developing optimal skin cancer prevention paradigms. Her work spans epidemiology, health services research, and clinical dermatology, with strong attention to personalized approaches to skin cancer care. She also has a notable interest in gender in medicine and leadership, as evidenced by her influential BMJ article on gender representation in medical leadership.

Analysis of Dr. Wehner's recent publications reveals a strong focus on skin cancer epidemiology across diverse populations, with particular attention to special populations including organ transplant recipients, patients with genetic conditions, and individuals with varying skin tones. Her research frequently utilizes large administrative datasets including Medicare claims and SEER-Medicare to investigate important questions in skin cancer prevention and care.

• Work featured in Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer (2014)
• Work featured in World Health Organization public health materials (2017)
• Cited in dermatology textbooks (Bolognia et al, Dermatology, 5th Ed, 2024)
• Cited in American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines of Care
• Cited in NCCN Guidelines for Squamous Cell Skin Cancer (Version 1.2024)

Dr. Wehner's research program is supported by multiple funding sources including the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, University of Texas Rising STARs, Melanoma Research Foundation, National Cancer Institute, and MD Anderson institutional grants. Her lab provides a productive, supportive, and collaborative environment for trainees and research staff interested in patient-oriented skin cancer research. The lab's work directly impacts clinical guidelines and public health approaches to skin cancer prevention.

The Wehner Laboratory operates within MD Anderson Cancer Center's robust research infrastructure, collaborating with multiple departments and institutions to advance understanding of skin cancer risk and prevention. Dr. Wehner's work bridges clinical dermatology with population health approaches to reduce the burden of skin cancer in the United States.