Clara N. Curiel-Lewandrowski, MD

  • Professor, Medicine (Dermatology)
  • Chief, Division of Dermatology
  • Program Director, Dermatology Residency Program
  • Co-Director, UArizona Skin Cancer Institute
  • Director, Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Oncology Program, UArizona Skin Cancer Institute
  • Director, Pigmented Lesion Clinic, UArizona Skin Cancer Institute
  • Interim Director of Research, UArizona Cancer Center
  • The Alan and Janice Levin Family Endowed Chair for Excellence in Cancer Research

Dr. Curiel-Lewandrowski's role as a member of the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) is to establish and foster research activities related to the skin cancer field across multiple disciplines, and across basic science and clinical projects. She is currently a Co-PI of the Skin Cancer Prevention Program Project and the Clinical Director of the Skin Cancer Institute at the UACC. She has effectively accomplished her role in these positions while addressing important clinical gaps in the skin cancer primary prevention and early detection fields through innovative study designs, and effective execution. To date, her research interests has focused in photobiology, early skin cancer detection, and primary prevention. Joining the Arizona Cancer Center in 2004 resulted in a catalyzing effect that has allowed Dr. Curiel-Lewandrowski to increase her expertise in translational efforts related to skin cancer therapeutic prevention. She has now served as a lead dermatologist in seven clinical studies and as a PI in six clinical trials (4 pilot, 3 Phase 1, and 3 Phase 2 studies) within the PPG in Skin Cancer Chemoprevention, the UA NCI/DCP Cancer Chemoprevention Consortium Agreement, and sponsored studies. Her current position at the UACC been instrumental in establishing research collaborations between the UACC and the College of Optical Sciences, Bioengineering, and the Department of Radiology to evaluate novel imaging modalities in the skin cancer arena. The availability of core services at the UACC has been essential to the skin cancer related research projects. In addition, close interactions across investigators at the UACC has allowed them to build a strong skin cancer research project that is unique in the nation.

Research Interests: 

Dr. Curiel's research focus is on melanoma chemoprevention, early detection of melanoma, cutaneous T cell lymphomas and skin cancer.

Researcher Spotlight

Faculty Type: 
Core Faculty
Degrees
  • MD: Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 1992
  • Undergrad: Colegio Los Campitos, Caracas, Venezuela
Honors and Awards
  • NCI/SPORE in Skin Cancer Grant Career Development Award, 2003
  • Research Grant Award, Skin Cancer Foundation. “Expression of VEGF Receptors in Melanocytic Lesions”, 2005
  • Masters in Academic Leadership, American Academy of Dermatology, 2005
  • Certificate of Excellence for outstanding performance in the Professional Services Documentation and Coding Audit for Providers for Fiscal Year 2006-2007, University Physicians Healthcare, 2007
  • Arizona Clinical and Translational Research and Education Consortium Clinical Scholars Award, 2008
  • Arizona Cancer Center Levin Family Endowed Chair for Excellence in Cancer Research, 2009
  • Voted in "Best Doctors in America," 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Residency
  • Boston University Medical Center, Dermatology, 2000
  • Tufts University, Dermatology
Internship
  • Boston University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship
  • Harvard Medical School, Department of Dermatology
  • Ludwig Boltzman Institute and Immunobiology of the Skin at Münster University, Germany
Board Certifications
  • American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology - General
  • Massachusetts Medical Board, Medical License
  • Arizona Medical Board, Medical License