Science
On the Art and Science of Skin Immunity
As a child, Tiffany Scharschmidt, MD, found an outlet for her creativity through Chinese brush painting. Her fourth-grade teacher, seeing her aptitude and passion, encouraged her to join an adult evening class. She painted throughout her childhood but, as a mother of three and a busy clinician-scientist, Scharschmidt no longer has much time for it…
Organoids, CRISPR, and a Shortcut to Therapies for Rare Blistering Diseases
Blistering skin diseases cause a great deal of ongoing suffering. Their characteristic surface wounds cause pain, itching, and infections, and conventional treatments, including topical and oral corticosteroids, provide temporary, limited relief. For autoimmune blistering diseases, like pemphigus vulgaris, monoclonal antibodies (e.g., rituximab) promise longer-lasting relief, while CAAR-T cell…
Transforming Diagnosis and Care of Patients with Pyoderma Gangrenosum
When Alex Ortega, MD, was in medical school at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, in Lima, Peru, he became fascinated with dermatology. He had come across a paper about pemphigus foliaceus in Brazil (Warren et al. 2000), the lead author of which was a fellow Peruvian, Luis Diaz, who at the time was chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill). Ortega decided to pursue research training under Diaz. Ortega was one of the first medical students to travel to communities deep in the Amazonian rainforest of eastern Peru with…
Breaking New Ground and Breaking Divides in South African Dermatology for Black Africans
As a Black South African living under apartheid, Ncoza Dlova, MD, faced racism at every turn. Yet she broke through systemic barriers to achieve a series of historic firsts. Dlova was the first Black African woman and dermatologist to graduate from the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa, the first Black African woman to become full professor of dermatology, and the first Black African dean of the medical school, a position she held from 2018 to 2024. Currently, she is chair of the Department of Dermatology at UKZN. “There was nobody…
DF Honorary Awards
Advancing Dermatology for Latino Skin of Color
Maritza Perez, MD, is an indefatigable teacher who has mentored hundreds of residents since 1984 when she graduated from a dermatology residency in Puerto Rico. As a clinician, she made her mark by performing tens of thousands of Mohs surgeries, laser treatments, and cosmetic procedures, particularly in…
From the Lab to the Launchpad
Dr. Eugene Bauer, “Gene” to almost everyone who knows him, made a breakthrough discovery in 1988 whose impact continues to drive research into epidermolysis bullosa (EB) today. It’s why he received the DF’s 2025 Discovery Honorary Award, and why he…
from the foundation
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From Human Biology to Precision Medicine
When Thomas Leung, MD, PhD, walked into his postdoctoral laboratory at Stanford University (Stanford) on his first day, he was surprised to discover that graduate students in a neighboring lab already knew who he was. Their principal investigator, a former lab mate, had been sharing a story…
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Choose Your Category and Start Writing
The Dermatology Foundation’s Research Award Program has been a driving force in advancing patient care for over six decades. By supporting innovative ideas and early-stage research, the program helps investigators generate new knowledge that leads to real breakthroughs in dermatology. With 17 award categories, the program offers…
Remembering James O. Ertle, MD
James O. Ertle, MD was a steadfast and longstanding member of the Dermatology Foundation for forty years. He was a deeply respected leader in dermatology. A prolific fundraiser with an abiding belief in the Foundation’s mission — he was an Annenberg Sustaining and Visionary Society member — he will also be remembered for his many leadership roles within the DF. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Basel Medical School in Switzerland, Dr. Ertle maintained a private practice in Hinsdale, Ill. and served as an assistant professor of…
2026 CS Proceedings
Chronic Hand Eczema: Burden and Treatments
Dr. JiaDe Yu presented information about the burden, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hand eczema (CHE). CHE is hand eczema that lasts >3 months or relapses >2 times per year. It is considered a subtype of atopic dermatitis (AD) or contact dermatitis (CD) in the United States and a stand-alone diagnosis…
Photoprotection in Skin of Color: Understanding Photodamage and Optimizing Sunscreen Strategies
Dr. Susan Taylor presented information about personalized photoprotection strategies for individuals with skin of color. Photoprotection is the process of preventing the deleterious effects of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) spectrum, including ultraviolet radiation (UVR), visible light (VL), and infrared light on the skin. It is necessary to maintain skin health and prevent…
Updates in Pediatric Allergic Contact Dermatitis: What’s Hot and What’s Not
Dr. JiaDe Yu presented information about pediatric allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). ACD is a skin rash caused by direct contact with an allergen. First, Yu discussed the prevalence of pediatric ACD. An estimated one-third of children will develop ACD; it may be overlooked because atopic dermatitis (AD) may have a similar appearance…
Mimickers of SJS/TEN
Dr. Jean Bolognia presented information about Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and diseases that mimic them. SJS and TEN are severe skin reactions that cause damage to the skin and mucus membranes and can be life-threatening. TEN typically involves the entire trunk. First, Bolognia discussed the expanding differential diagnosis of SJS/TEN….
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (Chemo-labeled Antibodies)
Dr. Jean Bolognia presented information about antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), including enfortumab vedotin, trastuzumab emtansine, trastuzumab deruxtecan, and loncastuximab tesirine. ADCs are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) combined with a chemotherapeutic agent via a linker. They are associated with cutaneous side effects that dermatologists…
Alopecia Areata: An Update
Dr. Susan Taylor presented information about the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of alopecia areata (AA). AA has a significant impact on patient quality of life, including low self-esteem, emotional distress, mood disturbances, and disrupted relationships. Thus, patients need timely…
Update on the Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Dr. Colleen Stockdale presented information that dermatologists should know about genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including epidemiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and treatment options. GSM is an umbrella term describing the signs and symptoms of the female genitourinary tract caused by…
Evaluation of Vulvovaginal Disorders
Dr. Colleen Stockdale presented information about trauma-informed care and its application when evaluating vulvovaginal disorders. First, Stockdale described the principles of trauma-informed care. Trauma may be physical or psychological, including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences, neglect, loss, war…
