Thea Mauro

Thea Mauro is a distinguished Professor of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. With over three decades of research experience, Dr. Mauro has established herself as a leading expert in skin barrier function, epidermal biology, and the intersection of dermatology with aging. Her work bridges basic science with clinical applications, focusing on how skin physiology changes with age and in various disease states.

Dr. Mauro's educational background includes undergraduate studies in English and Biology at Bryn Mawr College, medical training at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, an Internal Medicine internship at Hahneman Medical College, and dermatology residency at the University of California, Davis where she served as Chief Resident. Additional research training was completed through an NIH Medical Training Grant at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Mauro's research spans multiple critical areas in dermatology. Her primary interests include skin barrier function, calcium signaling in keratinocytes, aging skin ("inflammaging"), atopic dermatitis, and the relationship between skin physiology and systemic conditions. She has made significant contributions to understanding how epidermal calcium gradients regulate differentiation, how skin barrier defects contribute to inflammatory conditions, and the emerging connections between skin health and cognitive function. Her work often explores how aging affects skin structure and function, with implications for geriatric dermatology and age-related diseases.

Analysis of Dr. Mauro's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying skin barrier function and its relationship to systemic conditions. Her research demonstrates how epidermal calcium signaling affects skin aging, how skin sodium storage relates to inflammatory conditions, and the emerging connections between skin health and cognitive function in older adults. A notable trend is her exploration of the "skin-brain axis" and how cutaneous inflammation may influence neurological conditions.

• Medical Scholar Award, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (1987-88)
• VA Unsung Hero Award, San Francisco Veterans Hospital (1997)
• Teacher of the Year, Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco (1998)

Dr. Mauro has secured substantial research funding throughout her career, currently serving as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH and Department of Veterans Affairs grants. Her active projects include studies on sodium in the skin and atopic dermatitis, optimizing keratinocyte calcium signaling in aged epidermis, and precision medicine approaches for chronic inflammatory skin diseases in older veterans. She has successfully mentored numerous students and researchers, as evidenced by her extensive publication record with trainees as co-authors.

Dr. Mauro's laboratory focuses on epidermal biology, with particular emphasis on calcium signaling pathways, lipid metabolism in the skin barrier, and the molecular mechanisms of skin aging. Her team employs advanced techniques including skin models, molecular biology approaches, and translational studies connecting basic science findings to clinical applications.