Joseph Merola, M.D., M.M.Sc.

Biography

Joseph F. Merola, M.D., M.M.Sc., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology, Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Rheumatic Diseases, and Professor in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He holds the Mary Kay Inc. Distinguished Chair in Dermatology. He is an international expert in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, connective tissue diseases including lupus and dermatomyositis, and complex medical dermatology such as atopic dermatitis requiring systemic therapy.

Dr. Merola earned his medical degree at the New York University School of Medicine and his Master of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School. He completed an internship in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a residency in dermatology at New York University Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He then completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

One of only a few physicians in the country who are triple board-certified in dermatology, internal medicine, and rheumatology, Dr. Merola joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2023. Previously, he was Vice Chair of Dermatology and Founding Director of the Unit for Clinical Trials and Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he also directed the Center for Skin and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases.

At UT Southwestern, Dr. Merola continues to lead clinical and translational research in inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases, including studies in pharmacoepidemiology, clinical trials, trial design, and the development and validation of novel outcome measures such as digital health tools for use in both clinical research and patient care.

He serves on the Board of the American Academy of Dermatology and is the founding President of the Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network (PPACMAN) Consortium, President of the Rheumatology Dermatology Society (RDS), Co-President of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), Treasurer and Board Member of International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM), and President-Elect of GRAPPA.

He is past President of the Medical Dermatology Society and serves on the medical and scientific boards of the National Psoriasis Foundation, the Lupus Foundation of America, and the American Skin Association. He is also a member of the International Eczema Council and the International Psoriasis Council and has served on multiple national committees, including the Guidelines Committee for the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dr. Merola has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers and has received numerous awards, including the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Outstanding Educator Award, the Mass General Brigham Distinguished Clinician Award, and the Pillars of Excellence Award in Research Leadership. He was named one of Boston’s Top Doctors for nearly a decade and was honored in 2024 at the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Commit to a Cure Gala in Dallas.

As Chair of the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern, Dr. Merola is dedicated to supporting the department’s exceptional faculty, researchers, trainees, and staff. He is deeply committed to advancing a patient-centered mission across all departmental decisions, ensuring that clinical excellence, education, and discovery remain closely aligned. Under his leadership, the department continues to expand its impact and reputation as one of the nation’s leading dermatology programs, driven by collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving patients’ lives through compassionate care, scientific discovery, and outstanding training.