Nghiem Lab Welcomes Clinical Research Fellow Peter Ch'en

UW Dermatology is excited to welcome Peter Ch'en to the laboratory of Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD as a Clinical Research Fellow. Peter officially joined the Nghiem Lab on June 3, 2024.

Dr. Paul Nghiem, Chair of the UW Department of Dermatology, is Principal Investigator for the Nghiem Lab, located at the UW Medicine Biotech and Medical Research Hub in Seattle’s South Lake Union (SLU) neighborhood. One of three research labs in the department, the Nghiem Lab Research Team studies the biology of skin cancer with a special focus on Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but lethal skin cancer.

Welcome to UW Dermatology Peter! 

biography 

Peter Ch’en (he/him/his) is a fourth-year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. He is currently taking a gap year as a Clinical Research Fellow, seeing patients in clinic with and studying Merkel cell carcinoma in the laboratory of Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, Chair of the UW Department of Dermatology, from 2024-2025. Peter intends to graduate with both his Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management degrees in 2026. His research interests include dermatology, medical education, and applied technology.  

Originally from Seattle, Wash., Peter graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in microbiology from the UW in 2021. During undergrad, Peter gained extensive experience as a student researcher supporting the UW departments of Biochemistry, Cardiology, Neurology, and Virology. He also rose to become the President of the Chinese Student Association, one of the largest student organizations at UW.  

As a medical student, Peter further expanded his research experience within the Montefiore Einstein Division of Dermatology, where he studied hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition, under Dr. Steven R. Cohen. In 2021, Peter was elected by his peers as Class President representing his medical school cohort. He also serves as the President of the Dermatology Interest Group and Chief Peer Advisor in the Office of Academic Support and Counseling at Einstein, in addition to several other leadership and community service experiences. 

In his spare time, he loves exploring the PNW for a good hike, exploring (and eating his way through) new travel destinations, photography, and volunteering as a crisis counselor at the Trevor Project supporting LGBTQ+ youth.