School of Medicine’s Nicole Ward, Thomas McCormick receive grant to study affects of fatty acids on psoriasis

The National Psoriasis Foundation awarded Nicole Ward and Thomas McCormick, associate professors of dermatology, a one-year, $75,000 Discovery Grant.

Ward and McCormick will study if omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, could improve psoriasis symptoms. In order to determine the potential benefits, the pair will investigate how blood and skin is changed by fatty acids.

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic disease of the immune system.

Ward and McCormick received one of eight Discovery Grants from the foundation to study what causes psoriasis and what happens to the body when it’s present.