Bryan K. Sun, MD, Elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation

Learn how Bryan K. Sun, MD, is expanding clinical care and research for patients with genetic skin disorders— work recognized in part by his recent election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation.

The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) recently elected Dr. Sun to membership in 2026, in part for his work on rare skin disorders.

Sun is a practicing dermatologist with UCI Health, caring for patients with neurofibromatosis, ichthyoses, cancer susceptibility syndromes and other genetic skin disorders.

"I’m honored by the election to ASCI, said Bryan K. Sun, MD, associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at UC Irvine School of Medicine. "To me, it recognizes the important role of physician-scientists who study human disease and work to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful advances for patients."

Sun was also awarded the Young Physician-Scientist Award by the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 2022. 

"Many important discoveries in medicine start with careful observation of patients," said Sun, director of Faculty Development in Research in the Department of Dermatology. "By studying rare and unusual skin diseases, we can determine the biological mechanisms that control how skin functions in health and disease." 

His research laboratory focuses on understanding genomic regulators that control skin development, with particular interest in functional elements of the non-protein coding genome that contribute to diseases.

"Advances in human genetics and genomics are transforming how we study skin disease," said Sun. "It has been rewarding to work with colleagues and trainees who share a commitment to patient-oriented research."

The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) supports research that extends our understanding of diseases and improves available treatment options.

"The insights learned from these uncommon cases often lead to advances that benefit patients beyond those with the rare conditions themselves, " said Sun.