Marina A. Grachtchouk, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A central member of the U-M Skin Cancer Biology Program (PI: Anj Dlugosz) based in the U-M Rogel Cancer Center, Dr. Grachtchouk is engaged in ongoing multidisciplinary research focusing on the role of the Hh pathway in skin and epithelial cell cancers and developmental biology. She serves as a frequent mentor/advisor for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and supplies research training to students, post-docs and other learners within the Dlugosz lab.

An accomplished molecular biologist, Dr. Grachtchouk specializes in the design and development of novel transgenic mouse models of skin disease. She is deeply engaged in team science and is sought out for her expertise in animal model development and her thorough knowledge of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling and hair follicle stem cell biology. Dr. Grachtchouk has established several novel mouse models to advance research examining Hh pathway, stem cell biology and cancer biology involving the stomach, skin and other organ systems. She recently oversaw the development of a mouse model of aging skin to support investigation of the role of aging skin’s extracellular matrix microenvironment on cancer tumorigenesis. As a member of the U-M Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC), Dr. Grachtchouk provides guidance and expertise to center members and other researchers through the SBDRC Animal Modeling Core. Furthermore, she is involved in ongoing collaborations with multiple investigators both internal and external to the U-M.

Dr. Grachtchouk has contributed to landmark research studying the Hh signaling pathway, and has multiple highly cited and first authorship publications. She regularly presents her research work at annual meetings of Society for Investigative Dermatology and at International Investigative Dermatology (Tri-society) Meetings.

Dr. Grachtchouk received her PhD in Molecular Biology from the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia in 1991. She received postdoctoral training at the University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland (1995-1996); the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia (1996-1997); and the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology in Ann Arbor (1997-2000). Dr. Grachtchouk joined the Dermatology Department research faculty in 2008, rising to the rank of Assistant Research Scientist in 2013.

Cell of origin of epithelial skin tumors
Role of Hedgehog signaling in skin and extracutaneous tumor progression and maintenance, conditional mouse models of cancer
Embryonic signaling pathways in skin appendage development