NPF-Funded Research

Project Summary:

Psoriasis is often studied as a single disease, even though some forms behave in fundamentally different ways. This project examines whether palmoplantar pustulosis, marked by painful pustules on the hands and feet, and guttate psoriasis, characterized by sudden widespread eruptions often following infection, are driven by distinct genetic mechanisms. Using a large national research database with robust genetic data, the study will identify genetic factors unique to each subtype. By revealing why these conditions differ at a biological level, this work can improve diagnostic accuracy, explain variable treatment response, and guide more rational, targeted therapy selection for patients.

How will your project help improve the lives of the 125 million affected by psoriatic disease?

This project directly supports the NPF’s mission by advancing our understanding of psoriasis through a unique focus on the genetic architecture of two understudied subtypes, palmoplantar pustulosis and guttate psoriasis. Utilizing the diverse All of Us database ensures inclusion of underrepresented populations and enables identification of novel genetic variants that may drive the pathogenesis of these subtypes. These insights will help guide the development of more targeted and effective therapies, ultimately improving outcomes and optimizing health for individuals living with psoriatic disease.

Why is psoriatic disease research important to you, personally? What role will this award play in your research efforts or career development?

My interest in psoriatic disease research stems from both my clinical experiences and my passion for translational science. As a medical student rotating through dermatology clinics, I witnessed firsthand how psoriasis can affect every aspect of a patient’s life, from physical discomfort to emotional well-being and social relationships. These experiences shaped my commitment to pursuing a career dedicated to improving the lives of patients impacted by inflammatory skin conditions.

My research interests are also deeply influenced by my background in biomedical engineering. During my time as an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, I spent three years conducting biophysics research, which sparked my interest in using data-driven approaches to answer complex biological questions. Carrying this experience into medical school, I have become increasingly drawn to genomics and precision medicine, particularly their potential to explain heterogeneity in disease presentation and treatment response. My fellowship project applies these principles by investigating the genetic architecture of palmoplantar pustulosis and guttate psoriasis using data from the All of Us Research Program.

I am incredibly grateful to receive the NPF Psoriatic Disease Research Fellowship. Beyond funding, this award provides protected time, mentorship, and resources to develop rigorous genome-wide association study and translational research skills. Importantly, it will help build my foundation as a physician-scientist by allowing me to integrate engineering-driven genomic analysis with patient-centered approaches. Ultimately, I hope this work will contribute to more personalized treatments and improved quality of life for those living with psoriatic disease.

Researcher Profile:

Noel Yang is a third-year medical student at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and a 2026-2027 recipient of the National Psoriasis Foundation Psoriatic Disease Research Fellowship. Under the mentorship of Dr. April Armstrong, Chief of the Division of Dermatology at UCLA, she is conducting research to investigate the genetic architecture of palmoplantar pustulosis and guttate psoriasis using data from the All of Us Research Program. Her project aims to identify genetic factors underlying psoriasis subtype heterogeneity and advance the development of precision medicine approaches for patients with psoriatic disease. Noel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with honors from The University of Texas at Austin. During her undergraduate training, she dedicated three years to conducting biophysics research focused on lipid membrane dynamics and protein interactions, developing a strong interest in applying quantitative and translational research methods to human disease.
Throughout medical school, Noel has pursued extensive research in dermatology and radiation oncology, with interests spanning inflammatory skin diseases, skin cancer, genomics, and clinical outcomes research. She has also remained committed to serving underserved communities through student-run dermatology clinics and supporting children and adults with special needs through volunteer and mentorship programs.
Noel aspires to pursue a career as a physician-scientist in dermatology. Through her research, she hopes to leverage multi-ancestry genomics and large-scale data science to advance precision medicine and improve the lives of patients living with psoriasis.