Leung Lab
Join us if you want to solve medical mysteries and discover how diseases work.
Trainees in the Leung Lab learn to move from human signal to causal mechanism by integrating diseased tissue, genomics, computational analysis, and experimental models.
Recent arrivals include three MD/PhD physician-scientists on NIH T32 support. Trainees here have won an NIH F30 and Dermatology Foundation fellowships in the past year.
Mentorship goal: Our primary objective is to support the transition to independent careers. See where our alumni are now →
Postdoctoral Fellows
We are currently seeking motivated postdoctoral fellows interested in immunology, stem cells, tissue regeneration, and skin biology. Postdoctoral fellows in the lab have been supported by NIH T32 training grants and/or outside fellowships. Eligibility depends on citizenship or permanent-residency status and on availability through the department. Postdoctoral alumni hold positions including Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Penn, staff scientist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and scientist at Sarepta Therapeutics.
Postdoctoral fellows will design and execute experiments using a variety of systems, including:
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human diseased tissue and linked clinical phenotypes
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genomics and high-throughput sequencing
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advanced mouse models of human disease
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primary and 3D human skin equivalents
Our work integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and histology. Training is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with the Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IRM), and Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H).
Qualifications
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MD and/or PhD in a biological science or related field.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work effectively in an interactive, multidisciplinary team.
How to Apply
To apply, please email a single PDF containing your CV (including contact information for three references) and a letter of interest to Dr. Leung. Your letter should specifically address:
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Your interest in our lab’s research areas.
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Your long-term career goals and objectives.
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Your current citizenship/residency/visa status.
Graduate Students
We accept rotation students from all University of Pennsylvania graduate home programs (including BGS/CAMB). If interested, please contact Dr. Leung directly to discuss current projects.
MD Gap Year Students
We take MD students interested in a gap year to explore research interests. Our MD gap-year students have matched into dermatology residency. If interested, please contact Dr. Leung directly to discuss current projects.
Post-baccalaureate, Research Specialists, and Undergraduates
We offer an intensive research experience where students work closely with a senior lab member. Ten of our fourteen undergraduate and post-baccalaureate trainees have gone on to MD, MD/PhD, or PhD programs — MIT, Penn MSTP, Cornell, Northwestern, UC Davis, Temple, George Washington, Penn State, and Penn. Because of the level of training required, these positions turn over slowly. We are currently full for undergraduates. We're glad to keep a CV on file.
Updated: August 2026