Professor Christopher Griffiths stands as a preeminent figure in dermatological research and clinical practice with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He currently serves as Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at the University of Manchester and Adjunct Professor at King's College London following his foundational appointment to the University of Manchester's Chair in Dermatology in 1994. Graduating with first-class honors in Anatomy from St Thomas' Hospital Medical School in 1976, he completed his medical training in 1979 before specializing in dermatology at St Mary's Hospital London where he served as a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellow. His early career included significant research work at the University of Michigan where he served as Assistant Professor from 1989 to 1993 establishing his international reputation before returning to the UK to found the Manchester Dermatopharmacology Unit and Manchester Psoriasis Service.
Professor Griffiths played a pivotal role in elucidating the immune-mediated nature of psoriasis fundamentally reshaping the understanding and treatment of this chronic skin condition. His research has directly contributed to the development of novel therapeutic approaches that have improved outcomes for millions of patients worldwide with his work forming the scientific basis for modern biologic treatments. With an impressive publication record of 835 peer-reviewed articles and an h-index of 154 he ranks as the third most cited dermatologist globally reflecting the profound impact of his scientific contributions. His early work at the University of Michigan elucidated the mechanism of action of topical retinoids for photoaged skin repair leading to significant advancements in cosmetic dermatology and the development of commercial products including the Boots No. 7 range.
Beyond his research achievements Professor Griffiths has profoundly shaped the global dermatology community through extensive leadership roles including presidency of the European Society for Dermatological Research European Dermatology Forum and British Association of Dermatologists. As co-founder and former President of the International Psoriasis Council he has driven international collaboration to advance understanding and treatment of psoriatic disease across diverse populations. His editorial stewardship as Editor-in-Chief of Rook's Textbook of Dermatology the definitive reference in the field has educated generations of dermatologists worldwide. Currently he directs the Global Psoriasis Atlas to document worldwide disease burden and co-founded the Burma Skincare Initiative whose Spirit of Partnership Garden earned the Gold Medal at the RHS 2024 Chelsea Flower Show demonstrating his ongoing commitment to applying dermatological expertise to address global health challenges.
