PeDRA Pearls

Michael Howell, PhD, is an immunologist and the Founder and President of Mountaineer Biosciences.

Dr. Chiu joins the podcast to share an update on her ongoing study, Clinical and Genetic Characterization of Recurrent Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption (RIME) .

Tammy Esohe Ehimwenma Point Du Jour, Medical Student, Meharry Medical College Neha Momin, Medical Student, University of Houston Rachel Zhang, Johns Hopkins University Sarah Commaroto, Research Fellow, University of South Florida Madeline Guy, Medical Student, Northwest Ohio Medical University

Ganna Bilousova, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado and mentor to Stefanos Koutsoukos, a PhD candidate at the University of Colorado. Dr. Bilousova and Stefanos received a 2025 PeDRA Research Fellowship Award for their project, Characterizing Deficits in Early-Stage Autophagy and Lipid Accumulation in iPSC-Derived Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes from Individu...

Lynn Petukhova, PhD , is an Assistant Professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and the Department of Population Health.

Meredith Weiss joins the podcast to discuss a study that was presented in the inaugural Gorlin Syndrome Alliance Round Table session at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) meeting. Meredith is the Executive Director for the Gorlin Syndrome Alliance. Novel PTCH1 Variants in Gorlin Syndrome Identified through Genomic Analysis of 118 Patients. The authors of this study are: Ryan Kern*1, A...

Lawrence Eichenfield, MD reflects on the key takeaways from the International Eczema Council meeting at SID.

Dr. El-Feghaly joins the podcast to share her thoughts on the Epidermal Differentiation Disorders meeting as well as the first Gorlin Syndrome Alliance round table!

PeDRA President, Keith Choate, MD, PhD, shares his reflections on the Epidermal Differentiation Disorders Symposium! Learn more about Epidermal Differentiation Disorders. Join Jenn for an interview!

PeDRA’s Executive Director, Mike Siegel, PhD, and Director of Educational Programs, Jenn Dawson, are attending the 83rd Annual Society for Investigative Dermatology Meeting in Chicago, IL! In this bonus episode, they highlight what attendees can look forward to and why the SID meeting continues to be such a valuable gathering for the dermatology research community. Stay tuned for ongoing coverage...

In this episode, host Jenn Dawson speaks with Anne Davis, Pys. D., clinical psychologist, grief and trauma specialist, and mother of Hallie Grace Davis, who lived with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Anne shares Hallie’s story and how her family created Heroes for Hallie Grace to support EB families through memorial and welcome bundles, practical assistance via the Wings of Care Initiative,...

PeDRA and the Society for Investigative Dermatology Meeting 14th PeDRA Annual Conference Register for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Webinar Funding Opportunities Upcoming Conferences

Skin reactions during pediatric cancer treatment can be painful, stigmatizing, and sometimes threaten a child’s ability to stay on therapy. In this episode of PeDRA Pearls , Dr. Christina Boull and Dr. Rebecca Levy discuss PeDRA's Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC) Focused Study Group and its work to prevent, recognize, and manage these toxicities. They highlight multicenter eff...

In her final episode as guest host, PeDRA Fellow, Hannah Chang, talks with Dr. Andrea Zaenglein and Dr. Jonette Keri about the 2023 PeDRA consensus recommendations on using combined oral contraceptives and spironolactone for acne in patients ages 9–15. They break down what the guidance says, what to watch for, and how to counsel patients and parents with confidence. Learn more about this 2023 PeDR...

In this episode, we bring together two leaders in pediatric dermatology research to explore the work of PeDRA’s Connective Tissue and Autoinflammatory Disorders Focused Study Group. Dr. Kalyani Marathe, who serves as the group’s vice chair, and Dr. Maria Teresa Garcia-Romero, the group’s chair, discuss the importance of collaboration across medical specialties and highlight ongoing studies shaping...

In this special episode of PeDRA Pearls , host Jenn Dawson speaks with PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang as she reflects on her two-year fellowship experience. Hannah shares highlights from recent conferences, key lessons from research and mentorship, and insights from her work in pediatric dermatology, education, and health equity. The conversation also looks ahead as Hannah celebrates her dermatology re...

Reid Oldenburg, MD, PhD, joins host Jenn Dawson to discuss his journey as a clinician-scientist and his leadership of PeDRA’s Drugs and Bugs Focused Study Group. He shares how early global infectious-disease research shaped his path to dermatology, highlights ongoing projects—from genetic studies to patient-centered resources — and reflects on how collaboration and precision medicine are shaping t...

Jenn Dawson and Caitlin Haskell discuss a host of upcoming PeDRA deadlines and opportunities. Here are links to all the items referenced in the episode. PeDRA funding opportunities PeDRA Fellow Application PeDRA Membership Renewal and Survey Nominations for the PeDRA awards program Educational catalog PeDRA events page PeDRA at SID 14th PeDRA Annual Conference PeDRA Merch shop

Join PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang for a roundtable discussion with special guests Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta. Together, they discuss a recent publication titled “ Impact of Persistent Alopecia on Quality of Life in Childhood Cancer and Transplant Survivors .” This article was published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer in 2025.

This episode breaks down the foundations of academic clinical research, from how studies are conceived and funded to how protocols ensure rigor, consistency, and patient safety. Listeners learn about the roles of sponsors, CROs, IRBs, and research teams, as well as the advantages and challenges of conducting trials in academic settings. This independent medical education program is supported by In...

Episode 2 explores how private‑practice and industry‑run clinical trials bring efficiency, flexibility, and broader patient access to the research landscape. Our guests discuss the financial and scientific motivations behind industry partnerships, the strengths and trade‑offs of private sites, and how these settings support large, fast‑moving studies. Rare‑disease trials, PK designs, and investiga...

In this final episode, we examine how academia and industry work together to advance research and improve patient outcomes. The conversation highlights real‑world examples of shared data, translational science partnerships, diagnostic insights, and coordinated patient care. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how combined expertise strengthens clinical trials and expands access to innovative...

PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang hosts a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta about a recent publication titled: Photo Protection in Skin of Color: A Scoping Review of Barriers, Behaviors, and Pediatric Considerations. This article was published in Pediatric Dermatology in September 2025. Tell us about you by taking this 1-question survey!

PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang hosts a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta about a recent publication titled: Prevalence and Demographics of Psoriasis in the Down Syndrome Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the Epic Cosmos Dataset. This article was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in September 2025. Tell us about you by taking this 1...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls , we’re joined by Meredith Weiss, Executive Director of the Gorlin Syndrome Alliance (GSA), to explore the intersection of patient advocacy, education, and research. Meredith shares her personal journey into rare disease advocacy and discusses how the GSA supports patients through community-building, clinician-led education, and a growing commitment to funding resea...