John B. Mulliken

John B. Mulliken is a Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a senior plastic surgeon at Boston Children's Hospital, where he has long served as a foundational figure in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a fellowship in plastic surgery. His research is centered on congenital craniofacial anomalies, with a primary focus on cleft lip and palate, syndromic craniofacial disorders such as Robin sequence, and vascular anomalies including infantile hemangiomas and vascular malformations. A major contribution of his work has been the elucidation of the pathogenesis and treatment of infantile hemangiomas, particularly through investigations into the SOX18–mevalonate pathway and the therapeutic repurposing of statins and propranolol. His recent studies, such as those on R(+) propranolol's role in blocking vasculogenesis and reducing lipid accumulation in hemangioma-derived stem cells, underscore his commitment to translating molecular insights into clinical applications. With an h-index of 126 and over 680 publications, his prolific output has significantly advanced the standards of care in craniofacial surgery. He is widely recognized for his leadership in multidisciplinary teams and has received numerous awards for his contributions to plastic surgery and pediatric research, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the field. Their research directions are illustrated by key works including "Vascular tumors and vascular malformations (new issues).", and "Soft-Tissue Vascular Anomalies: Utility of US for Diagnosis".