Dr. Peter Elias is a distinguished dermatologist and pioneering researcher in skin biology who has made seminal contributions to our understanding of skin structure and function. He currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Department from 1975 to 1997. A graduate of Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, he earned his medical degree from UCSF in 1967 followed by a Master of Science degree in 1975. Dr. Elias completed his dermatology residency and research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and UCSF, establishing himself as a leading authority in dermatological science early in his career. Board certified in both Dermatology (1973) and Dermatopathology (1979), his clinical and research expertise spans multiple dimensions of skin science.
His groundbreaking research on the stratum corneum architecture and the skin barrier function has fundamentally reshaped dermatological science, providing critical insights into how the skin maintains homeostasis and interacts with environmental factors. Dr. Elias's work elucidating the metabolic activity and interactivity between the stratum corneum and subjacent cell layers established foundational knowledge for understanding various skin disorders and permeability properties. His influential publications, including the seminal 1996 paper on stratum corneum architecture, detailed how lipid metabolism and cell membrane permeability contribute to skin barrier integrity through comprehensive analysis of cellular communication mechanisms. This body of research has had profound implications for developing treatments for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and other barrier-related disorders. His conceptual frameworks regarding skin homeostasis continue to guide contemporary research in dermatological science with enduring relevance.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Elias has significantly shaped the field through extensive editorial contributions, having served on the boards of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology through 2008, Archives of Dermatology, Dermatology, and Skin Pharmacology and Applied Physiology. He has been actively involved with professional organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Dermatology Foundation Leaders Society, and the Skin Pharmacology Society where he served as a Board Member. Dr. Elias contributed to major research initiatives as a member of the Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section at the National Institutes of Health from 2008 to 2012. As Professor Emeritus, his legacy continues to influence contemporary dermatological research, with his conceptual frameworks remaining central to current investigations into skin biology. The enduring impact of his work ensures his position as one of the most influential figures in modern dermatology.
