PATIENTS & PUBLIC
Reporting Claims of Copyright Infringement
The Skin of Color Society (“SOCS”) will respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable law. If you believe any materials accessible on or from this site (the “Website”) infringe your copyright, you may request removal of those materials (or access to them) from the Website by submitting written notification to our copyright agent designated below. In accordance with the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), the written notice (each a “DMCA Notice”) must include the following information:
Our designated copyright agent to receive DMCA Notices is:
Scott S. Fintzen
Gaido & Fintzen
320 Walnut Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
If you fail to comply with all of the requirements of Section 512(c)(3) of the DMCA, your DMCA Notice may not be effective. Please be aware that if you knowingly misrepresent that material or activity on the Website is infringing your copyright, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.
Counter Notification Procedures
If you believe material you posted to the Website was removed or access to it was disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter notification to SOCS (a “Counter Notice”) by submitting written notification to our copyright agent designated above. Pursuant to the DMCA, the Counter Notice must include:
The DMCA allows us to restore the removed content if the party filing the original DMCA Notice does not file a court action against you within ten business days of receiving the copy of your Counter Notice.
Please be aware that if you knowingly materially misrepresent that material or activity on the Website was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.
Repeat Infringers
It is SOCS’s policy in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion to terminate access to the Website for users who may be repeat infringers of the copyrights of others.
As you may have seen from recent member communiqués in your email inbox and on our SOCS social media platforms, we are currently in the height of “open season” for applications for some exciting opportunities for SOCS members that help support and advance skin of color dermatology research and career development.(Details about both of these award programs can be accessed here; please note that application deadlines are approaching on September 30).
We are very proud of the fact that with this new Awards cycle for 2022 grants, we will reach the 15-year milestone of providing funding to a diverse group of dermatologists to support research into a wide range of skin of color dermatology subjects that can shape the future of our specialty.
Since this important SOCS offering was established in 2008, our SOCS Grant Awards program has grown and expanded to include multiple Dermatology Research Awards, as well as the newer SOCS Career Development Award, which was introduced in 2020.
Historically, the SOCS Dermatology Research Awards, and now the Career Development Award, have funded scientific investigations into numerous skin of color dermatology topics, including studies on:
For a complete list of SOCS Dermatology Research Award recipients since the program began, visit here.
In 2021, Angel Byrd, MD, PhD, was the first recipient of the SOCS Career Development Award, for her research on “Elucidating the Role of Autoantibodies in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.” We look forward to seeing this award program flourish with additional scientific investigators in the future.
Several previous SOCS Research Award recipients have been featured in Physician spotlights, found on the SOCS website, including the following SOCS members:
Jenna O’Neill, MD, FAAD 2013 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: Genetic Factors in CCCA
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MsC, FAAD 2012 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: Stretch Stimulus on Melanocyte Function and Dyspigmentation in Human Skin in Vivo: A Pilot Study on Striae Distensae
Donald Glass, MD, PhD, FAAD 2011 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: Uncovering the Genetic Causes of Keloid Formation
Ammar M. Ahmed, MD, FAAD 2010 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract as an Adjunct to Sunscreen in the Treatment of Melasma
John E. Harris, MD, PhD, FAAD 2009 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: T cells in mouse model of vitiligo
Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD 2008 Skin of Color Society Research Award Winner Title of research: Development and Validation of a Vitiligo-specific Quality of Life Instrument (VitiQol).
Watch for updates to this webpage, featuring spotlights about other SOCS members who are blazing scientific trails into skin of color dermatology.
We invite you to learn more about SOCS Research and Career Development Awards and encourage interested members to apply before September 30!
SOCS members, please email
Please provide the following information with your inquiry (allow at least 7 business days for review/publishing process):
Job titles: Pediatric/ General Dermatologist
Organization: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Website link: Click here to view job posting.
Contact information:
Job titles: Assistant Professor General Dermatologist/Mohs Surgeon
Organization: University of New Mexico Dermatology Department
Website link: Click here to view job posting.
Contact information:
Topic: Cosmetic Medical Procedures
Study Objective: Determine the utilization of laser and cosmetic procedures for various dermatologic conditions
Contact: Alex Richmond
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Assessment of cosmetic education in skin of color for dermatology residents
Study Objective: The goal of this study is to better understand resident training of cosmetics in skin of color. This will be done by assessing the confidence of third year dermatology residents in their preparedness to practice cosmetic dermatology for patients of color.
Contact: Dr. Hye Jin Chung at
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Measuring the Burden of Post-Inflammatory Pigmentary Alteration – A Survey Study of Dermatologists
Study Objective: Identify how best to measure the burden or severity of post-inflammatory pigmentary alteration from the dermatologist perspective
Contact: Penn Medicine Dermatology
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Research
Study Objective: We are conducting a clinical study to evaluate a potential new treatment for HS
Contact: ACELYRIN, INC.
Topic: Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra Provider Survey
Study Objective: Determine the most commonly used treatments for Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra, their effectiveness, and potential side effects from professionals who treat DPN
Contact: James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Marty O. Visscher, PhD,
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Education
Study Objective: To identify the most common dermatologic questions posed by patients with skin of color by utilizing an anonymous online survey posted to the Skin of Color Societies (SOCS) website
Contact: University of Missouri, Department of Dermatology, Isaac Weber,
Survey Link: Click Here!
The Human Tissues and Organs Research Resource (HTORR) provides the biomedical research community with human tissues for research. The 2-year award provided through our Pilot Award Program will include up to ~10 biological samples per awarded investigator, covering all costs associated with obtaining the biospecimens, including tissue preservation reagents and shipping costs.
To learn more, please visit the National Disease Research Interchange Pilot Award Program website or the NIAMS HTORR webpage
Explore NIH’s Grants & Funding search page (from the Office of Extramural Research) to find up-to-date information about NIH funding, including all NIAMS-related programs and opportunities.
Please visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/grants-funding/funding-opportunities to learn more
A dermatologist (dur-meh-tol-uh-jist) is a doctor who specializes in treating the:
SOCS members are Dermatologists who diagnose and treat all patients, but have an awareness about different skin diseases which effect patients with health issues related to skin of color.
Browse our dermatology education article and video libraries to learn more about skin diseases which impact patients with skin of color.
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Print SOCS patient education QR code graphic and display it in your office waiting room. 
Since the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) was founded in 2004 by Dr. Susan Taylor, SOCS leaders and members have been working passionately toward advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the field of dermatology and healthcare, in communities around the world, and society as a whole.
This vitally important work lies at the heart of the SOCS mission and all of our programs and initiatives. As expressed in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, “It is our deepest hope that the work of our organization helps to change the landscape for people of color and have a positive impact on society as a whole, benefiting all.”
In recent times, new and improved DEI programs have been cropping up all over the US and the world at a phenomenal rate, inspired and fueled by many societal factors—including a widened awakening about the “public health crisis of systemic racism,” a reality that was addressed in a powerful editorial written by SOCS leadership and published in The Dermatologist Magazine in June 2020.
The explosive growth of DEI programs is a benchmark of progress in the right direction to achieve equality, dignity, and respect for all humanity—regardless of race, ethnicity, skin tone, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, and/or level of ability.
The ongoing practice of living by the tenets and values of diversity, equity and inclusion takes self-awareness, honesty, insight, understanding, empathy, humility, compassion, and commitment with every individual and collective step.
Read the SOCS Statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in its entirety here.
For questions or comments,