My research is focused on investigating the function of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), its agonists α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and ACTH, and antagonists agouti signaling protein and human β-defensin 3 in regulating cutaneous pigmentation and the response to UV radiation. We were among the first to demonstrate that human melanocytes express functional MC1R and that activation of this receptor is critical for the melanogenic (i.e. tanning response) to UV.