Dr. David Owens

Biography

David M. Owens is a Professor of Epithelial Cell Biology at Columbia University, with a focus on dermatology, pathology, and cell biology. He completed his PhD in Toxicology at North Carolina State University in 1996, where he began his research into skin carcinogenesis. Following his doctoral studies, he undertook postdoctoral training in epithelial stem cell biology at the Cancer Research Institute in London under Fiona Watt. In 2003, he joined Columbia University as an Assistant Professor and has progressively advanced to Associate Professor by 2013. Owens is an affiliate member of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative and contributes to the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Program at HICCC. His research aims to understand the contributions of stem cells and differentiated cells to normal skin function and neoplastic growth. His laboratory investigates the complex communication networks within the epidermis and probes the roles of epithelial stem cells in skin tumor origination. Owens's work highlights the relationship between epidermal cells and the tumor microenvironment, with significant discoveries including novel stem cell niches and their roles in the pathogenesis of epithelial cancers. His ongoing research into T cell activation and myeloid lineage responses further underscores his commitment to advancing knowledge in skin biology and related pathologies.

Research Interests

Experience