Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD, About.com's Guide to Skin Cancer, is a former research scientist and published writer specializing in oncology.

Dr. DiChiara is currently a medical writer at the Institute for Medical Education and Research based in Miami, specializing in cancer. He writes educational materials for cancer doctors and nurses that helps keep them up-to-date with the latest treatment advances and clinical trial results. He also has a deep knowledge of cancer molecular biology, having been a research scientist with multiple articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals to his credit.

Dr. DiChiara earned his PhD in neurobiology from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and his BA from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

If you have recently been diagnosed, are at risk, or have someone close to you that has skin cancer, you have come to the right place. Having a basic understanding of skin cancer, and knowing what questions to ask your doctor, can help you cope with this difficult time and receive the best possible treatment. I will strive to make the content on this site concise, accurate, up-to-date, free of jargon, and useful for you. Thanks for visiting!