MELA Sciences, Inc., announced that Darrell S. Rigel, MD, MS, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University, Langone Medical Center, has been appointed Chief Medical Advisor to the Company's Board of Directors.

Dr. Rigel is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University, Langone Medical Center and also maintains a private practice in Manhattan, New York. In addition to his extensive research in dermatology, Dr. Rigel has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and is a lead editor of "Cancer of the Skin," one of the most prominent skin cancer textbooks in the field. He currently serves as a Regional Chair of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Educational Council. He has also served as President of the American Academy of Dermatology, Director of the American Board of Dermatology, President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and President of the American Dermatological Association.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rigel as Chief Medical Advisor to the Board of Directors, and look forward to his contribution to MELA Sciences. His significant research expertise in skin cancer and dermatology will be immensely valuable to MELA Sciences as we drive commercial success and adoption of MelaFind," said Robert Coradini, Interim Chief Executive Officer of MELA Sciences, in a statement.

"I am pleased to be joining MELA Sciences as Chief Medical Advisor to the Board of Directors, and look forward to contributing to the Company's success and commercial efforts," said Dr. Rigel. "MELA Sciences is emerging as the leader in the field of diagnostic devices for melanoma detection. Melanoma, if caught early, is treatable and curable, but continues to lead to a significant number of unnecessary deaths each year. Along with the team at MELA Sciences, I am committed to early melanoma detection and saving lives."