The Chair of the Department, Dr. Fu-Tong Liu is internationally known for being a pioneer and leading investigator in the studies of the galectin family members, which play key roles in many physiological and pathological processes. Under Dr. Liu's leadership the department has grown rapidly in size and prestige. His current research is focused on the role of galectins in allergic inflammation, innate immunity, cancer progression, and wound healing. His research group also studies molecular and cellular mechanisms of allergic skin inflammation. Dr. Liu is interested in all areas of medical dermatology and has a particular interest in eczema, mast cell-mediated diseases (including urticaria and mastocytosis), and immunobullous disease.