Christopher Chu, MD, FAAD

Board-Certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist
Dr. Chu

Christopher Chu, MD, FAAD, is a double Board-Certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist who practices clinically at Pure Dermatology in Austin, Texas, in addition to reading cases for Sagis Diagnostics. He proudly serves his community with his wife, Chelsey Straight, MD, FAAD, offering a full range of dermatologic services.

Dr. Chu attended the University of Texas, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors and a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology. He went on to achieve his Doctor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. After completing his transitional year internship at Virginia Mason, Dr. Chu then completed his dermatology residency and dermatopathology fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He served as a chief resident in his final year of residency.

Dr. Chu has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, written book chapters, and presented at national conferences. He is passionate about continuing education and regularly attends conferences to provide cutting-edge medical and cosmetic dermatology to his patients. Dr. Chu is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP).

Outside the office, Dr. Chu enjoys spending time with his twin girls, his wife, and his black Labrador. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, cooking, and trying different cuisine styles. He is also fluent in both English and Mandarin.

Dr. Chu is passionate and excited to be a part of the Sagis team, where he can help provide the most accurate diagnosis to provide the best treatment plan for his patients.

Education

Fellowship Training

Dermatopathology
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA

Residency Training

Dermatology
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA

Medical School

Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX

Undergraduate

University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX

Board Certifications

Dermatology

The American Board of Dermatology

Dermatopathology

The American Board of Dermatology and The American Board of Pathology

Memberships

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

American Academy of Dermatology

American Society of Dermatopathology

Research & Publications

Dr. Chu has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, written book chapters, and presented at national conferences. He is passionate about continuing education and regularly attends conferences to provide cutting-edge medical and cosmetic dermatology to his patients.

Publications
  • 2013 – 2014  Chu, C and Rees, A. “Dermatologic Look-Alikes: Young Boys with Desquamating Skin.” The Clinical Advisor. November 12, 2013. In Print.
  • 2013 – 2014  Chu, C and Rees, A. “Dermatologic Look-Alikes: Long-term Scaly Skin.” Clinical Advisor. August 15, 2014. In Print.
  • 2013 – 2014  Prem N. Ramkumar, Christopher T. Chu. “Causes and Rates of Unplanned Readmissions after Elective Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” American Journal of Orthopedics. 44(9):397-405. 2015, Sept. PMID: 26372748
  • 2013 – 2015  Wrote online descriptions of a dermatology disease and its differential diagnoses in a Q&A format for the website “Clinical Advisor
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: A Red Bump on the Jaw.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Rough, Ridged Fingernails and Toenails.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: A Pruritic Scaly Rash on the Beard.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Firm Papules on the Scrotum.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Progressive Generalized Blisters.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: White Patch around a Mole.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: White Patch of Skin since Infanthood.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: A Darkening, Thickening Birthmark.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Bluish Papules on the Scalp.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Annular Patch with Serpiginous Borders.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Blue-purple Macule beneath the Nail.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Wrinkled, Depigmented Skin on Breast, Chest.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Scaly rash on the feet.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Itchy, Discolored Genitalia.”
    • Chu, C, and Rees, A. “Derm Dx: Thickened toenails.”
  • 2017  Chu, C. “Morgellons Disease – Dredged up from History and Customized.” JAMA Dermatol. 154(4):451. 2018, April 1. PMID: 29641827
  • 2018  Dempsey AI, Chu C, Flamm A. “Tumor of follicular infundibulum-associated neoplasms.” JAAD Case Rep. 2018 Dec 4;5(1):15-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2018.08.020. PMID: 30547076; PMCID: PMC6282444.
  • 2019  Hong J, Do T, Butt M, Chu C, Zaenglein A. 625 Retrospective review and telephone follow-up of adverse events resulting from standardized isotretinoin lab monitoring. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2019; 139 (5(S1)):S107.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.03.701
  • 2020  Leiphart, Paul, Christopher Chu, and Klaus Helm. “Two cases of adenodermatofibroma.” Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 48.2 (2021): 330-333.
  • 2020  Chu C, Marks JG Jr, Flamm A. Occupational Contact Dermatitis: Common Occupational Allergens. Dermatol Clin. 2020 Jul;38(3):339-349. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 May 4. PMID: 32475512.
  • 2020  Kim Y, Patel D, Chu C, Butt M, Helm KF. Steatocystomas of the head and neck are associated with actinic damage. Int J Dermatol. 2020 Dec 1. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15339. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33259058
Poster Presentations
  • 2012  Xue, A and Chu, C. “Reduction Mammaplasty Using Superomedial Pedicle in Obese Patients: A Review of Anatomy and Modified Technique.” Poster presented at Edmond T. Gonzales Jr. Surgical Research Day; 6/1/2012; Women’s Pavilion. Performed a retrospective chart review of reduction mammoplasty using a superomedial pedicle approach in obese patients.
  • 2014 – 2015  Chu, C and Dao. H. “Past and Contemporary Myths and Misconceptions of Oculocutaneous Albinism in Africa.” Accepted to “The 73rd Annual Meeting” of American Academy of Dermatology on 8/27/14; March 20-24, 2015; San Francisco, California.
  • 2014  Wang, D, Chu, C, and McCants, D. “Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in a healthy 18-year-old male.” Poster presented at: National SGIM; 4/25/2014; San Diego.
  • 2018  Chu, C. Miller, J. Helm, K. “A Young Woman with Poorly-defined Plaques.” Presented at Gross and Micro Symposium at the American Academy of Dermatology Conference in San Diego.
  • 2018  Chu, C. et al. “Atypical Fibrohistiocytic Proliferation Arising in the Setting of Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa: How does Lymphedema Affect Histology?” Presented as a poster at the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology
  • 2019  Chu, C. Hong, J, Butt, M, Helm, K. Factors that predict absence of residual carcinoma in excisions for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Accepted as oral presentation for ASDP 2019.