Discover Medicine is a monthly program that invites local high school students to spend the day with UVA School of Medicine to explore different medical fields and research. This program is run by the UVA School of Medicine’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) in collaboration with the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center (UVACCC).
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Discover Medicine program hosted 30 students from Charlottesville and Monticello High Schools to learn about dermatology and ongoing biomedical dermatology research at the UVACCC.
During the clinical portion of the day, fourth-year medical student Maya Hagander introduced students to a range of dermatologic conditions, moving from common inflammatory disorders to pigmentary changes, hair loss conditions, chronic inflammatory diseases, and skin cancer, while reinforcing basic skin structure, function, and how dermatologists diagnose and manage medical and surgical skin concerns.
The students also learned about the basics of cancer biology and about the paths to graduate school from PhD candidate, Caroline Riedstra. Riedstra works in the Dudley lab studying how changes in melanoma cell state impacts the motility of melanocytic cells along the vasculature. Her presentation covered the hallmarks of cancer, DNA damage, and how researchers at UVACCC are working to combat skin cancer.
In the afternoon, students visited the anatomy clinical skills laboratory and participated in a hands-on workshop led by Hagander focused on performing skin shave and punch biopsies and procedural principles for obtaining skin tissue samples.
We are especially thankful for Dr. David Moyer, Ms. Tawanna Johnson, and first year medical students: Osayamen Enosakhare, Jordan Lu, and Richa Kuklani for their assistance during the sessions.
Discover Medicine is a year-long program designed to have an enduring impact on the local community by providing opportunities for early exposure to medicine, research, longitudinal mentorship, and community service. Discover Medicine is grateful for all of the volunteers and students that participated in this event. Please reach out to Michael Ogundeji (MS4) or Lucy Pemberton, PhD, if you are a medical or BIMS student and would like to volunteer for future events.
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