Skip to main content

Internal Resources

COM-T Faculty Spotlight

Butler group photo

Meet Daniel Butler, MD!
Associate Professor, Dermatology
Director, Inflammatory and Aging Skin Research Program
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs 

Educator/Mentor: 

  • Nationally recognized educator, Teacher of the Year - UCSF & UA
  • >60 invited lectures
  • National leadership in dermatology education (DIGA Faculty Advisor)

Bridge Builder: 

  • Director, Inflammatory & Aging Skin Research Program
  • National leader in geriatric dermatology and outcomes research (IDEOM, JAMA, JAAD) 
  • Build cross-institutional programs (UCSF -> UA) and multidisciplinary collaborations

Clinical Trialist: 

  • Established a growing clinical trials program in inflammatory skin disease at UA. A critical medical gap in the region. 
  • PI on 9 Phase 2-4 clinical trials (atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, pruigo nodularis, vitiligo, itch) 
  • Secured competitive funding (e.g. Pfizer, National Eczema Association)
  • Bridging mechanistic immunology with real-world therapeutic impact. 
     

 

 

Erdrich photo

Meet Jennifer Erdrich, MD! 
Associate Professor, Surgery 
Specializes in melanoma, sarcoma, and breast cancers

Current Initiatives & Impact: 

  • Co-developing the first prehabilitation program for Native American cancer patients preparing for surgery
  • Focused on expanding surgical oncology resources for tribal communities 
  • First Native American surgical oncologist in the U.S. (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) 
  • Mentor to Native American undergraduate and graduate students pursuing health careers nationwide 

Recent Accomplishments: 

  • First prehabilitation program for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities 
  • One of the first clinical trials conducted on a reservation, built through sustained relationship-building and infrastructure development
  • Collecting blood and tumor biospecimens pre- and post-prehabilitation intervention to evaluate changes in inflammatory biomarkers
  • Investigating whether prehabilitation can modulate inflammation in cancer patients. 
  • Potential impact: slowing tumor progression and improving both oncologic and surgical outcomes
 
Significance of work: 
  • Addresses biologic basis for critical disparities: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience lowest survival rates and higher complication rates
  • Expands access to clinical research through community-engaged, reservation-based trials, reducing mistrust and geographic barriers for underrepresented populations
 
Research Recognition: 
  • K08 Cancer Development Award (NIH/NCI)
  • American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
  • Doris Duke Grant
  • Transitioning to R01 funding to expand partnerships with additional tribal communities
 
Collaborative interests: 
  • Open to interdisciplinary collaborations spanning clinical oncology, public health, and basic science 
  • Clinical focus in melanoma, sarcoma, and breast cancer with strong potential for translational impact through cross-disciplinary partnerships.