Dr. Daniel M. Balkin was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He went on to earn MD and PhD degrees from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. His PhD dissertation focused on unraveling the genetics and basic molecular pathways responsible for Lowe syndrome, a rare X-linked disease.
Dr. Balkin pursued residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. In recognition of his clinical service at UCSF, Dr. Balkin was awarded the Krevans Award as well as the UCSF Health Exceptional Physician Award. Following residency, Dr. Balkin completed fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery at The Buncke Clinic in San Francisco, California, where he developed expertise in traumatic hand injuries, replantation, limb salvage, and complex microvascular reconstruction. He secured further fellowship training in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Boston Children's Hospital.
Dr. Balkin integrates an academic clinical practice with an emphasis on basic and translational research. He cares for patients with various craniofacial, pediatric plastic surgery, hand, and vascular anomaly-related conditions. His research focuses on genetic discovery and on discerning the pathomechanisms of disease. Dr. Balkin is devoted to tracking and pursuing clinical problems in the laboratory environment, and to leveraging such discoveries and innovations in the clinic to improve patients’ lives.
Approach to Care
When I reflect on why I chose a career in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, it’s the meaningful experiences caring for patients and families that truly stand out. Whether repairing a congenital deformity or restoring what is lost to trauma or disease, I am committed to helping children. I believe there is no greater impact than changing the trajectory of a child’s life.
Publications
A Review of the Current State and Future Directions for Management of Scalp and Facial Vascular Malformations. View Abstract
Hospital Variation and Resource Use for Infants with Craniosynostosis Undergoing Open, Endoscopic, and Distraction Osteogenesis Surgical Techniques. View Abstract
Non-vascular intracranial lesions in three children with PHACE association. View Abstract
Next generation sequencing aids diagnosis and management in a case of encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis. View Abstract
Melanoma in infants, caused by a gene fusion involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). View Abstract
Metopic ridge presenting to pediatric dermatology and vascular anomalies clinics. View Abstract
Genomic analysis reveals germline and somatic PDGFRB variants with clinical implications in familial infantile myofibromatosis. View Abstract
Lymphoscintigraphy Using Tilmanocept Detects Multiple Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Melanoma Patients. View Abstract
Videofluoroscopy Versus Nasopharyngoscopy of Lateral Pharyngeal Wall Movement for Assessment of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency. View Abstract
Kaposiform Lymphangiomatosis: Pathologic Aspects in 43 Patients. View Abstract
Association of Demographic Factors and Infantile Hemangioma Characteristics With Risk of PHACE Syndrome. View Abstract
Airway Hemangiomas in PHACE Syndrome: A Multicenter Experience. View Abstract
TASP1 mutation in a female with craniofacial anomalies, anterior segment dysgenesis, congenital immunodeficiency and macrocytic anemia. View Abstract
Erratum to: Failed pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery following autologous Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction: a case report. View Abstract
Failed pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery following autologous Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction: a case report. View Abstract
Bilateral Coronoidectomy by Craniofacial Approach for Hecht Syndrome-Related Trismus. View Abstract
Immediate fat grafting in primary cleft lip repair. View Abstract
A role of OCRL in clathrin-coated pit dynamics and uncoating revealed by studies of Lowe syndrome cells. View Abstract
Podocyte-associated talin1 is critical for glomerular filtration barrier maintenance. View Abstract
Infection following implant-based reconstruction in 1952 consecutive breast reconstructions: salvage rates and predictors of success. View Abstract
Role of dynamin, synaptojanin, and endophilin in podocyte foot processes. View Abstract
Arginine topology controls escape of minimally cationic proteins from early endosomes to the cytoplasm. View Abstract
Yersinia entry into host cells requires Rab5-dependent dephosphorylation of PI(4,5)P2 and membrane scission. View Abstract
Recruitment of OCRL and Inpp5B to phagosomes by Rab5 and APPL1 depletes phosphoinositides and attenuates Akt signaling. View Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a pervasive pathogen highlights the need for new antimicrobial development. View Abstract
A PH domain within OCRL bridges clathrin-mediated membrane trafficking to phosphoinositide metabolism. View Abstract
A phosphoinositide switch controls the maturation and signaling properties of APPL endosomes. View Abstract
Selective recognition of protein tetraserine motifs with a cell-permeable, pro-fluorescent bis-boronic acid. View Abstract
Smad3 and Pitx2 cooperate in stimulation of FSHbeta gene transcription. View Abstract
GFAP-expressing cells in the postnatal subventricular zone display a unique glial phenotype intermediate between radial glia and astrocytes. View Abstract
