CHICAGO, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TheDermatology Foundation (DF) and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) announce that Crystal U. Aguh, MD, FAAD, is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron.
This substantial award will support Dr. Aguh's groundbreaking research into Probing Transcriptomic Impact of Metabolic Interventions in CCCA.
Dr. Crystal Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr Aguh's area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss, has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has given multiple national and international talks on these topics. As a result of her work, Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards and grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and the Dermatology Foundation.
Pictured from left: SOCS Immediate Past President Dr. Victoria Barbosa, Awardee Dr. Crystal Aguh, Dermatology Foundation (DF) President Dr. Janet A. Fairley, and DF Executive Director John Bournas.
This highly competitive award was presented to Dr. Aguh at the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium and the 61st Annual Meeting of the Dermatology Foundation, which both occurred in conjunction with the recent Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Orlando, Florida in early March 2025.
The Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron was developed especially for the exceptional mid-career investigator with an established trajectory of excellence in basic, clinical, or translational science. This award aims to expand the understanding of dermatological issues impacting underrepresented or underserved groups in medicine.
The DF and SOCS Collaborative selected Dr. Aguh as this year's awardee according to a comprehensive evaluation process based on the National Institutes of Health procedure for research grants.
"We were impressed by the quality and quantity of the applications for the award this year, indicating the value of the ongoing Dermatology Foundation and Skin of Color Society collaboration. Dr. Aguh's application rose to the top, as the joint committee was convinced her work would lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of CCCA, opening the door to better treatments," states Janet A. Fairley, MD, FAAD, DF President.
"We are truly honored to collaborate with the Dermatology Foundation to support outstanding investigators who are committed to studying dermatological diseases that disproportionately impact patients of color. Dr. Aguh has already made significant contributions to the field of alopecia, particularly scarring alopecias such as CCCA. We congratulate Dr. Crystal Aguh on receiving this award and look forward to the outcomes of her research which will undoubtedly advance our knowledge of CCCA and future treatment options," comments Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD, SOCS President (2025-2026).
Dr. Aguh expresses, "I am so grateful to the Skin of Color Society and the Dermatology Foundation for this award. This award will support groundbreaking work to help so many patients suffering from CCCA, a disease which is both emotionally and physically scarring."
Applications for the 2026 Mid-Career Award cycle will open in mid-September 2025. For more information, visit here.
About the Dermatology Foundation
The purpose of the Dermatology Foundation is simple but powerful. For over sixty years, the Dermatology Foundation has identified and supported the early career work of investigators with great potential. Our research awards have helped launch outstanding research and academic careers and have helped make the practice of dermatology what it is today. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly 2,600 research awards to enable advancements in patient care by providing $88.9M in funding for discovery to talented investigators. The Dermatology Foundation has a proven track record of funding novel ideas and individuals who are dedicated to expanding the understanding of dermatologic conditions and diseases. www.dermatologyfoundation.org
3-year scholarship program aims to support medical students pursuing dermatology who are committed to health equity
NEW YORK, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinique and the Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF) announced a scholarship program to broaden access to the specialty of dermatology at the recent 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium. The Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique and SOCSF provides financial support and mentorship to medical students who are committed to achieving health equity in their pursuit of a career in dermatology.
Through the Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship, Clinique and SOCSF jointly focus on supporting students and their educational endeavors by structuring a program to reduce the financial burden of applying for dermatology residency. The distribution of funds focuses on grants to provide financial support for the expenses incurred during the residency program application process, including application fees, travel and lodging associated with doing dermatology rotations at other institutions, interview costs, and conference fees.
"Clinique is a dermatologist guided brand that has been deeply rooted in the dermatology community since its inception, with a longstanding commitment to servicing all skin, inclusive of the next generation. Dermatology is one of the most competitive medical specialties. Our hope is that this scholarship will identify and support outstanding medical students who have demonstrated a passion for serving underserved patients and in doing so will foster a more inclusive and representative future for the field," Kelly Fanning, SVP, General Manager, Clinique North America.
The Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship will provide scholarship support and mentorship to a projected 100 medical students over 3 years.
"We are deeply grateful to Clinique for their vision, collaboration, and truly remarkable commitment to developing future dermatology leaders through their generous, multi-year support. This major contribution will be invaluable in helping many aspiring dermatologists navigate the competitive and often-challenging process of residency application," comments Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD, SOCS Immediate Past President.
In addition to financial aid, this program will also offer mentorship from dermatology professionals to enhance career development, the residency application process, and long-term success in the field. The multi-year commitment will allow Clinique and SOCS to foster mentorship and networking within the SOCS community via continued connection with program alumni.
Applications to the program open today, April 1, 2025. For more information, visit here.
Clinique has a long-standing history of partnering with dermatologists, including its Founding Dermatologist, Norman Orentreich, MD, and incorporating patients' insights in its innovation since 1968. His children, Catherine Orentreich, MD, and David Orentreich, MD, continue their father's legacy for Clinique as the brand's Guiding Dermatologists. Over 55 years later, Clinique, continues its close relationship with the dermatological community to deliver on the promise that great skin can be created for all. It is this deep commitment that drives Clinique to cultivate future generations of dermatologists and support health equity.
About CLINIQUE:
Can great skin be created? A beauty editor asked a top NYC dermatologist this question, leading them to found Clinique in 1968 as a total beauty solution to create great skin based on the dermatologist's guidance. Today Clinique is the #1 Prestige Skincare Brand in the U.S.* offering dermatologist guided solutions from skincare to makeup for remarkable skin results. Clinique products from skincare to makeup are all formulated to deliver powerful efficacy with rigorous safety —dermatologist tested, allergy tested, and 100% fragrance free. Clinique's clinical solutions are custom-fit by skin type and informed by decades of work with dermatologists, scientists, and ophthalmologists. The brand is sold in 107 markets worldwide.
* Source: Circana, LLC, US Prestige Beauty Total Measured Market, Skincare Unit Sales, Prestige Brand Classification, 12 Months Ending December 2024
CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Approaching its 10th anniversary, the Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF) reports record-level growth in key programs that it supports, including an array of innovative research, education, mentorship, and advocacy efforts.
A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, the SOCSF was established in 2015 by the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the world's leading skin of color dermatology organization, which was founded in 2004 by globally recognized dermatology leader Dr. Susan C. Taylor with the support of other highly esteemed founding members. The SOCSF works to advance excellence in patient care and health equity by supporting several signature programs and groundbreaking initiatives which have reached record-level benchmarks this year in terms of participation, engagement, and impact.
Tax-deductible donations to the SOCSF support the continued expansion of the following key priorities:
Skin of Color Society leaders discuss how this global organization is working to increase diversity in dermatology, reduce health disparities, expand much-needed research in skin of color dermatology, offer many educational and training opportunities for dermatologists at all career stages, and more.
A newer public-facing initiative known as My Best Winter Skin (MBWS) has enjoyed tremendous success since it was established in 2023. Now in its second year of community outreach and public education, the winter skincare-themed campaign is built around the annual health awareness holiday, My Best Winter Skin Day, created by the SOCS Foundation and celebrated every October 24.
This unique international holiday marks the beginning of a season of giving, education, and enthusiastic volunteerism for SOCS members. Through a dynamic series of events presented at universities and public venues throughout the United States and Canada, SOCS members and health advocates distribute dermatologist-developed educational tips for managing winter skin and donated product samples to raise awareness about optimal winter skin care and generate donations to the SOCSF. This year's MBWS campaign is generously supported by Clinique with additional valuable support from Eli Lilly and Company.
2024 SOCSF Fundraising Campaign
Themed, "Celebrate and Grow with Us," this year's fundraising campaign encourages donors to help reach the annual goal by making a one-time gift or committing to a monthly amount in any sum. Suggested giving levels include:
Corporate benefactors who have donated to the SOCSF in 2024 include:
The SOCSF gratefully recognizes the generous contributions of highly esteemed individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing equity in dermatology by supporting the mission-driven work of SOCS, including:
Donors who have joined the Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society in 2024 and contributed $10,000 and above: Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, and Dr. David and Nina Harvey.
Donors who have joined the Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society in 2024 by giving $2,500 and above: Drs. Murad Alam, Donald Glass II, Chere Lucas Anthony, Lynn McKinley-Grant, Alexis Stephens, and Susan C. Taylor.
In the words of Dr. Murad Alam, SOCS Board Member and Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society donor, "The most valuable aspect of the work of SOCS, in my opinion, is mentoring and supporting junior members to help guide their future careers and successes. We are all fortunate to be in dermatology, a wonderful profession with kind and supportive colleagues and patients we are privileged to meet. Many, if not most of us, would not be in dermatology without the mentorship, encouragement, and gentle nudges of teachers and leaders who helped us along the way. So, it is only fair to try to provide the same opportunities for the next generation by supporting SOCS and its Foundation."
To support the SOCSF and the work of SOCS, visit here.
CHICAGO, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), a global leader in skin of color dermatology, releases a comprehensive new educational video series designed to educate patients, physicians, and the general public about dermatologic conditions and diseases of importance to people of color.
This unique educational initiative was developed as part of the 7th Annual SOCS Media Day, which took place in early March 2024, following the 20th Annual SOCS Annual Scientific Symposium, a signature yearly event that showcases the latest skin of color dermatology research and insights from emerging researchers and leading experts from around the US and the world.
Several SOCS leaders, who are nationally and globally recognized board-certified dermatologists, contributed their expertise to this informative video series, including: Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, current President; Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, Immediate Past President; Shawn Kwatra, MD, Secretary/Treasurer; Janiene Luke, MD, Board Member and Media Day Co-chair; Nkem Ugonabo, MD, Media Day Co-chair; Prince Adotama, MD, Board Member, and Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, President-Elect.
This substantial award will support Dr. Glass's seminal research into "Genetics, Comorbidities and their Association with Keloids"
(March 19, 2024, Chicago, IL) The Dermatology Foundation (DF) and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) announce that Donald A. Glass II, MD, PhD, FAAD, is the 2024 recipient of the first-ever Sanofi and Regeneron Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Mid-Career Award, given to support his research into "Genetics, Comorbidities and their Association with Keloids."
A nationally recognized keloids expert, Dr. Glass is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He served as 2021-2022 President of the Skin of Color Society.
Dr. Donald A. Glass II, 2024 Sanofi and Regeneron DEI Mid-Career Awardee (2nd from right), pictured with Dermatology Foundation and Skin of Color Society representatives from left-right: John E. Bournas, Dermatology Foundation Executive Director, Kimberly J. Miller, Skin of Color Society Executive Director, Dr. Janet A. Fairley, Dermatology Foundation President, and Dr. Andrew F. Alexis, SOCS President, 2023-2024. Photo credit: Cali Griebel Photography.
This groundbreaking award was presented to Dr. Glass at the 20th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium and the 60th Annual Meeting of the Dermatology Foundation, both of which took place during the recent American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.