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Ponciano Cruz, M.D.

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Paul R. Bergstresser, M.D., Chair in Dermatology
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Dermatology - General
Skin Cancer

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-2400

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-2400

See Dr. Cruz's Locations

Biography

In addition to serving as Vice Chairman, Dr. Cruz directs the Dermatology Residency Training Program at UT Southwestern. He also serves as Chief of Dermatology at the Dallas VA Medical Center. He directs the Photosensitivity/Phototesting Clinic and the Occupational Skin Disease and Contact Allergy Clinic at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Cruz is the recipient of numerous awards and grants for research and teaching, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Excellence in Education Award; NIH research grants; Animal Alternatives Research funding from Procter & Gamble; the Stelwagon Award given by the AAD; and the first Fitzpatrick Research Award given by the Kao Corporation of Japan; gold, silver and bronze awards for teaching posters from the AAD; and the 1989 Outstanding Research Award from the Upjohn Company and the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern. He was also included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list for 2020, 2021, and 2022.

In 2019, Dr. Cruz received UT Southwestern's Mentoring Award.

Education & Training

Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1987-1989), Dermatology
Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1986-1987), Immunodermatology
Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1984-1986), Dermatology
Residency - Kettering Medical Center (1981-1984), Internal Medicine
Internship - Makati Medical Center (1979-1980), Rotating
Medical School - University of the East (1972-1979)

Professional Associations & Affiliations

Society for Investigative Dermatology
American Dermatological Association
American Contact Dermatitis Society
American Board of Dermatology
American Academy of Dermatology

Honors & Awards

D Magazine Best Doctor 2020-2022
Mentoring Award – UT Southwestern 2019
Stelwagon Award 1988, American Academy of Dermatology
Outstanding Research Award 1988, Upjohn Company
Teacher of the Year 1991, Voted by Derm Residents at UT Southwestern
Fitzpatrick Research Award 1991, Kao Corporation of Japan
Excellence in Education Award 1992, American Academy of Dermatology

Books & Publications

Publications
- Recognition of non-self polysaccharides by C-type lectin receptors dectin-1 and dectin-2.
  Hollmig ST, Ariizumi K, Cruz PD Jr. Glycobiology 2009 19/6 568-575
- The DC-HIL/syndecan-4 pathway inhibits human allogeneic T cell responses
  Chung J-S, Bonkobara M, Tomihari M, Cruz PD Jr., Ariizumi K. Eur J Immunol 2009 in press
- Acanthosis nigricans
  Kia K, Cruz PD Jr. Treatment of Skin Disease 2009 3rd Edition, in press
- Phototherapy and HIV Infection
  McDonald H, Cruz PD Jr. Dermatological Phototherapy and Photodiagnostic Methods 2008 2nd Edition 229-37
- Syndecan-4 mediates the co-inhibitory function of DC-HIL on T cell activation.
  Chung J-S, Dougherty I, Cruz PD Jr, Ariizumi K J Immunol 2007 179 5778-84
- DC-HIL is a negative regulator of T lymphocyte activation.
  Chung J-S, Sato K, Dougherty I, Cruz PD Jr., Ariizumi K Blood 2007 109 4320-7
- Syndecan-4 mediates the co-inhibitory function of DC-HIL on T cell activation.
  Chung J-S, Dougherty I, Cruz PD Jr., Ariizumi K. J Immunol 2007 179 5778-84
- Identification and expression of dectin-2 promoter in transgenic mouse.
  Gavin ACP, Chung J-S, Sato K, Ariizumi K, Cruz PD Jr. Exp Dermatol 2005 14 281-8
- Ultraviolet B radiation upregulates expression of dectin-2 in epidermal Langerhans cells by activating the gene promoter.
  Bonkobara M, Yagihara H, Chung J-S, Washizu T, Ariizumi, K, Cruz PD Jr Photochem Photobiol 2005 81 944-8
- Freshly isolated spleen dendritic cells and epidermal Langerhans cells undergo similar phenotypic and functional changes during short term culture.
  Girolomoni G, Simon JC, Bergstresser PR, Cruz PD Jr. J Immunol 1990 145 2820-6

Clinical Focus

Skin Cancer

Links

Dermatology

2019 Leaders in Clinical Excellence video: Dr. Ponciano Cruz

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-2400