Huachen Wei, MD, PhD
A dermatologist whose career bridges the clinic and the research laboratory — bringing decades of study of skin cancer, ultraviolet damage and skin aging to everyday patient care.
About Dr. Wei
Dr. Huachen Wei is the founder of Dr. W&W Dermatology PLLC and the WW Groups practices, which include four dermatology offices in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. He is a board-certified dermatologist and a physician-scientist who has spent more than three decades in dermatology.
After earning his medical degree in China and his PhD at New York University, Dr. Wei joined Mount Sinai in 1995 as Associate Professor and Director of Dermatology Research. He completed residency training in internal medicine and dermatology at Mount Sinai and in 2002 was appointed tenured Professor of Dermatology by the Mount Sinai Board of Trustees. He has also served as Director of the Dermatology Clinic at Queens Hospital Center.
Education & Training
- 1982Doctor of Medicine, Shandong Medical College, China
- 1985Master of Public Health, Beijing Medical University, China
- 1992PhD in Biochemistry and Environmental Oncology, New York University Medical Center
- 1995Associate Professor and Director of Dermatology Research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (now the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai), following a faculty appointment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2000Completed residency training in internal medicine and dermatology at Mount Sinai
- 2002Appointed tenured Professor of Dermatology by the Mount Sinai Board of Trustees
Research Focus
Dr. Wei’s research has examined how the environment affects the skin — knowledge that informs how he counsels patients about sun protection, skin cancer risk and aging skin. His work has focused on:
- The combined effects of ultraviolet radiation and environmental factors on skin cancer and skin immunity
- Oxidative stress (free radicals), DNA damage and skin aging
- Chemoprevention of skin cancer and photoaging by natural compounds such as soy isoflavones, lycopene and sandalwood oil
Over the past two decades he has served as principal investigator on more than thirty research grants, including five R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health, and has published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed dermatology and aesthetic medicine journals.
Honors & Recognition
- Dermatology Foundation research awards, 1996 and 1998
- Nelson Paul Anderson Memorial Award, 1999
- Named among “Top Physicians in Dermatology” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, recognized repeatedly since 2004
- Patients’ Choice Award, 2008
- Cheung Kong (Changjiang) Scholar Chair Professor of Dermatology, awarded by China’s Ministry of Education
His contributions to dermatology have been featured in magazines and television programs, including cover stories in China Fortune and DW News.
Approach to Patient Care
Dr. Wei believes effective dermatology starts with an accurate diagnosis and a clear explanation. He looks for the underlying cause of a skin problem rather than treating symptoms alone, recommends only the tests and treatments a patient needs, and builds plans for long-term skin health — especially for chronic conditions that tend to return. He sees patients in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Areas of Clinical Focus
Let’s Talk About Your Skin.
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