PeDRA Pearls

In this episode, Jason Hawkes, MD, returns to discuss the evolving role of translational dermatology in bringing scientific discoveries closer to patient care. He shares how advances in immunology and clinical trials are transforming treatment for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and other inflammatory skin diseases. The conversation als...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, we explore the discovery of Bachmann-Bupp syndrome and the remarkable collaboration that transformed a single patient observation into a growing body of research and a promising treatment pathway. Host Jenn Dawson speaks with Caleb Bupp, MD, Andre Bachmann, PhD, and Liz VanSickle, PhD, about the genetics, skin and hair findings, and translational science behind thi...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, host Jenn Dawson welcomes Mitchell Hanson, MD, MPH, PeDRA’s new Education Fellow, for a conversation about connection, service, and intentionality in pediatric dermatology. Mitchell shares how his path through neuroscience, public health, medical education, and community-centered initiatives led him to PeDRA, and reflects on the importance of keeping patients at th...

In the first installment of PeDRA’s 2026 educational series – Research in Action: Advancing Care for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), Dr. Peter Marinkovich of Stanford University provides a timely overview of emerging therapies and clinical research in EB, including gene therapies, cell-based approaches, inflammation-targeted treatments, and strategies to improve wound care and long-term outcomes. Dr....

Tune in to hear Dr. Cathryn Sibbald and Dr. Ilka Netravali, leaders of PeDRA’s Hair Disorders Focused Study Group, explore how pediatric hair disorders research is evolving beyond alopecia areata. They discuss multicenter studies, emerging biomarkers and precision medicine approaches, cross-specialty collaboration, and the importance of incorporating patient and family perspectives to improve care...

In this episode, host Jenn Dawson talks with Dr. Dawn Davis, Dr. Amy Paller, and Dr. Larry Eichenfield about the newly published pediatric atopic dermatitis guidelines and what they mean for clinicians, patients, and families. Together, they unpack the evidence behind prevention, comorbidities, and treatment recommendations, discuss how rapidly the therapeutic landscape is evolving, and highlight...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, Jenn Dawson is joined by PeDRA Executive Director Mike Siegel and Outcomes Committee Chair Dr. Marcia Hogeling to recap key themes from the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) meeting. They discuss emerging trends in dermatology research, including the growing role of genetics, molecular diagnostics, multi-omics, and biologic therapies, as well as highlight...

Dr. Megha Tollefson, Department Chair of Dermatology, Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic, and PeDRA President-Elect, shares her key takeaways from the PeDRA session at SID.

Dr. Beth Drolet is Professor and Chair, Geneva F. and Sture Johnson Distinguished Chair at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Dr. Joy Wan is a pediatric dermatologist and an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

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...