Andrew Kowalczyk, PhD Biography
 

Andrew Kowalczyk, PhD, is Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Dr. Kowalczyk is a graduate of Albany Medical College, where he obtained his Ph.D. in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology in 1992.  After his Ph.D. studies, he began a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University’s Fienberg School of Medicine in Dr. Kathleen J. Green’s laboratory.  Dr. Kowalczyk’s studies at Northwestern University advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of cytoskeletal interactions with desmosomes and other cell-cell adhesive junctions that contribute to epidermal cell-cell cohesion.

Dr. Kowalczyk joined the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine in 1998.  At Emory, Dr. Kowalczyk’s research focuses on the regulation of cell-cell adhesion by endocytic membrane trafficking pathways, and how cytoplasmic binding partners for cell adhesion molecules regulate cell-cell adhesion strength.  His laboratory is recognized for contributions to the field of cell-cell adhesion in microvascular endothelial cells, and to the field of pemphigus pathophysiology for studies focusing on the mechanisms of desmosome disassembly in the skin disease pemphigus. 

In addition to his participation in the Pharmacology of Skin Course, Dr. Kowalczyk is also a member of the Scientific Program Committee and the Long Range Planning and Priorities Committee of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.  At Emory University, Dr. Kowalczyk is a member of the Research Advisory Committee for the School of Medicine and serves as the Director of Graduate Studies for the Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology Ph.D. training program.