Angela M. Christiano, Ph.D.
World Top Hair Loss Researcher | Ph.D. | FACMG
New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons Vice-Chair and Director of Basic Science Research, Department of Dermatology, Departments of Dermatology and Genetics & Development, Richard & Mildred Rhodebeck Professor, and USTI Scientific Advisor for Education.

Scientific Advisor

USTI is excited to announce that Angela Christiano, Ph.D., has joined us as a Scientific Advisor for our educational programs. Angela Christiano is considered one of the world's top hair loss researchers. This recognition was further affirmed recently when the National Institutes of Health awarded her and her team $5 million ($1 million per year for five years) to study hair loss and establish the Alopecia Areata Center for Research Translation (AACORT).

From September 1, 2016, to August 31, 2021, she received her 25th grant, with nine of them being active in 2017. She also co-chaired the 9th World Congress for Hair Research and has been involved in the discovery and understanding of many genes and immune cells related to hair loss.

Christiano has been published numerous times in scientific journals, including multiple publications in Nature, Science, Cell Science, and Cell.

Christiano and her team's long-range goal is to develop genetic and cell-based therapies for skin and hair diseases through understanding disease pathogenesis.

Academic Appointments

  • Richard and Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology
  • Professor of Genetics & Development

Grants:

  • Alopecia Areata Center for Research Translation (AACORT) (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 1, 2016 – Aug 31, 2021
  • Preclinical Evaluation of Vorinostat in Alopecia Areata (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 18, 2017 – Jun 30, 2019
  • Center for Research on Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic, and Behavioral Genetics (Federal Gov)
    • May 3, 2013 – May 31, 2018
  • Enhancing the Vaccinal Effect of Antitumor Antibodies (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 1, 2012 – Apr 30, 2018
  • Developing an Alopecia Areata Disease Activity Index (ALADIN) (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 1, 2014 – Aug 31, 2017
  • Functional Analysis of miRNAs During Craniofacial Dermal Morphogenesis (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 1, 2013 – Jun 30, 2017
  • Engineering Skin Grafts for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients Using Gene-Corrected iPSC-Derived Cells (Private)
    • Apr 29, 2016 – Apr 28, 2017
  • Epigenetics of Alopecia Areata (Private)
    • Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2016
  • Epigenetic Events Underlying Type I Diabetes (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 20, 2011 – Jun 30, 2016
  • Medical Genetics Training Program (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 1, 2010 – Jun 30, 2016
  • Stem Cell and iPSC Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa (NY State Gov)
    • Jun 1, 2014 – May 31, 2016
  • Modeling Complex Diseases Using iPSC-Derived Skin Constructs (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 24, 2012 – Jun 30, 2015
  • Skin Regeneration in the Setting of Epidermal Stem Cell Ablation (NY State Gov)
    • Mar 1, 2013 – Feb 28, 2015
  • Hairless Gene Regulation of PREX2 and COL6A1 (Private)
    • Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014
  • Genome-Wide Association Studies in Alopecia Areata (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 19, 2008 – Aug 31, 2014
  • Functional Analysis of the Hairless Protein (Federal Gov)
    • Dec 1, 2000 – Jun 30, 2014
  • Identification of Alopecia Areata Biomarkers in Skin and Blood (Federal Gov)
    • Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2013
  • Stem Cell Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa (NY State Gov)
    • Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2012
  • Continuation of Alopecia Areata Registry (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 1, 2006 – Mar 29, 2012
  • New Research Registries for NIAMS (Federal Gov)
    • Sep 1, 2006 – Mar 29, 2012
  • Genetic and Cellular Therapies for Hair and Skin Disease (NY State Gov)
    • Jan 1, 2007 – Oct 31, 2011
  • Genetic Analysis of Alopecia Areata (Federal Gov)
    • May 1, 2006 – Apr 30, 2011
  • Evaluating the Incidence, Morbidity, Mortality, and Nature of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in Patients with REC (Private)
    • Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010
  • Molecular Genetics of the Keratodermas (Federal Gov)
    • Jul 30, 1998 – Feb 28, 2010
  • New Research Registries for NIAMS (Federal Gov)
    • Mar 1, 2001 – Sep 29, 2006

Selected Publications:

  • Ahmad, W., ul Haque, M.F., Brancolini, V., Tsou, H.C., ul Haque, S., Lam, H.M., Aita, V.M., Owen, J., deBlaquiere, M., Frank, J.A., Cserhalmi-Friedman, P.B., Leask, A., McGrath, J., Peacocke, M., Ahmad, M., Ott, J. and Christiano, A.M. (1998). Alopecia Universalis Associated with a Mutation in the Human Hairless Gene. Science, 279: 720-724.
  • Frank, J., Pignata, C., Panteleyev, A.A., Prowse, D.M., Baden, H., Weiner, L., Gaetaniello, L., Ahmad, W., Pozzi, N., Cserhalmi-Friedman, P.B., Aita, V.M., Uyttendaele, H., Gordon, D., Ott, J., Brissette, J.L. and Christiano, A.M. (1999). Exposing the Human Nude Phenotype. Nature, 398: 473-474.
  • Reynolds, A.J., Lawrence, C., Cserhalmi-Friedman, P.B., Christiano, A.M. and Jahoda, C.A.B. (1999). Trans-gender Induction of Hair Follicles. Nature, 402: 33-34.
  • Djabali, K., Aita, V.M., and Christiano, A.M. (2001). Hairless is translocated to the nucleus via a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal and is associated with the nuclear matrix. J. Cell Science, 114: 367-376.
  • Panteleyev, A.A., Jahoda, C.A.B., and Christiano, A.M. (2001). Hair Follicle Predetermination. J. Cell Science, 114: 3419-3431.
  • Kljuic, A., Bazzi, H., Sundberg, J.P., Martinez-Mir, A., O'Shaughnessy, R., Mahoney, M.G., Levy, M., Montagutelli, X., Ahmad, W., Aita, V.M., Gordon, D., Uitto, J., Whiting, D., Ott, J., Fischer, S., Gilliam, T.C., Jahoda, C.A.B., Morris, R.J., Panteleyev, A.A. (2003). Desmoglein 4 in hair follicle differentiation and epidermal adhesion: Evidence from inherited hypotrichosis and acquired pemphigus vulgaris. Cell, 113: 249-260.