21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium 

Agenda – March 5-6, 2025

Registration is required for all events listed below, including ticketed registration where applicable.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Faculty

• President & Co-Chairs
• Invited Speakers
• Improving Diversity in Research
• Cross-Generational Mentorship

Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD

Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine

President, Skin of Color Society

Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD

Associate Professor
Director, Ethnic Skin Program
Director, Ethnic Skin Fellowship
Department of Dermatology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD

Assistant Attending
Dermatology Service
Department of Medicine
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Adewole (Ade) Adamson, MD, MPP, FAAD

Division of Dermatology
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin

Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc

Assistant Professor, Duke Department of Dermatology
Director, Duke Dermatology Sponsored Clinical Trials Education

Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

President, American Academy of Dermatology
Founder & Medical Director, Innovative Dermatology
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology

John E. Harris, MD, PhD, FAAD  

Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology
UMass Chan Medical School
Founding Director, Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center
Founding Director, Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute
Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), Alys Pharmaceuticals

Moderator

Tamia A. Harris-Tryon, MD, PhD, FAAD

Associate Professor
Thomas L. Shields Professor of Dermatology
UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas

Shawn G. Kwatra, MD, FAAD

Dr. Joseph W. Burnett Professor and Chair
Department of Dermatology
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD

Chair, Department of Dermatology
Howard University College of Medicine
Professor of Dermatology
Howard University College of Medicine

Moderator

Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD 

Clinical Professor/Residency Program Director
Loma Linda University Health

Natasha A. Mesinkovska, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Vice Chair, Clinical Research
Department of Dermatology
University of California Irvine

Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD

Associate Dean for Admissions
Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education
Professor of Dermatology and Medical Education
Founder/Director Northwestern Center for Ethnic Skin and Hair
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Amit G. Pandya, MD, FAAD  

Associate Medical Director for Phototherapy and Dermatologist, Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A.
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

• President & Co-Chairs
• Invited Speakers
• Improving Diversity in Research
• Cross-Generational Mentorship

Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD

Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine

President, Skin of Color Society

Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD

Associate Professor
Director, Ethnic Skin Program
Director, Ethnic Skin Fellowship
Department of Dermatology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD

Assistant Attending
Dermatology Service
Department of Medicine
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Adewole (Ade) Adamson, MD, MPP, FAAD

Division of Dermatology
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin

Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc

Assistant Professor, Duke Department of Dermatology
Director, Duke Dermatology Sponsored Clinical Trials Education

Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

President, American Academy of Dermatology
Founder & Medical Director, Innovative Dermatology
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology

John E. Harris, MD, PhD, FAAD  

Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology
UMass Chan Medical School
Founding Director, Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center
Founding Director, Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute
Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), Alys Pharmaceuticals

Moderator

Tamia A. Harris-Tryon, MD, PhD, FAAD

Associate Professor
Thomas L. Shields Professor of Dermatology
UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas

Shawn G. Kwatra, MD, FAAD

Dr. Joseph W. Burnett Professor and Chair
Department of Dermatology
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD

Chair, Department of Dermatology
Howard University College of Medicine
Professor of Dermatology
Howard University College of Medicine

Moderator

Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD 

Clinical Professor/Residency Program Director
Loma Linda University Health

Natasha A. Mesinkovska, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Vice Chair, Clinical Research
Department of Dermatology
University of California Irvine

Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD

Associate Dean for Admissions
Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education
Professor of Dermatology and Medical Education
Founder/Director Northwestern Center for Ethnic Skin and Hair
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Amit G. Pandya, MD, FAAD  

Associate Medical Director for Phototherapy and Dermatologist, Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A.
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

2024-2025 Scientific Committee

Co-Chairs

Members

Our Sponsors

           ALLY           

          PARTNER          

UCB, Inc.

Registration

Online registration for this event will open December 2024.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Abstract Presentations & iPoster Galleries

iPoster Online Live Sessions: February 27 - March 4, 2025

Selected abstracts will be invited to present at the Scientific Symposium with either an oral abstract presentation or a digital iPoster via iPoster Sessions. Industry partners* will have an opportunity to also create interactive iPoster with various content, including high-resolution images, videos, audio, and more. The Scientific and Industry iPoster Galleries will be available from February 27, 2025, and will remain available for one year after the event.

Participants can engage with the content and leave messages. Authors will have the flexibility to select the iPoster Online Live Session dates and times within the iPoster platform.

Important Information:

• iPoster Upload: Starts on November 18, 2024, and ends on December 11, 2024
• iPoster Online Live Sessions: February 27 - March 4, 2025
• iPosters will be reviewed and rated in December and January, with the top 10 iPosters selected as featured iPosters at the Symposium on March 6th. Notifications will be sent out in February.
• Please note that abstract changes are not permitted for submitted and accepted abstracts.
• The platform supports interactive multimedia content, and attendees can engage with you virtually during live session chat hours.

Technical Support:

For tutorials, guides, samples, and additional information, please visit the iPosterSessions Resources page for assistance. If you have any questions, please contact the iPoster Support Desk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Conference Code: SOCS2025.

*Based on sponsorship level.

Accessibility and Inclusivity:

iPosterSessions enhances accessibility and inclusivity at research events by providing a web-based platform that complies with WCAG and ADA standards, ensuring full participation for individuals with disabilities. The system supports diverse learning styles with multimedia features and promotes inclusivity by eliminating barriers for underrepresented groups. This allows attendees to engage with content from any internet-connected device, making scientific communication more dynamic and equitable. Click here to learn more.

Call for Abstracts

We are no longer accepting submissions for this program.

Activity Timeline and Status

The 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium, held in conjunction with the 2025 AAD Annual Meeting, invites submissions for abstracts. The Symposium will take place on March 6, 2025, in Orlando, FL.

Please review the submission guidelines below before submitting your abstract via AwardForce. Note that submitting your abstract does not register you to attend the Symposium. If selected for an oral or poster presentation, registration for the Symposium is required.

General Information

• Eligibility: The presenting author must be a SOCS member and available to present the abstract at the Symposium. For abstracts submitted by medical students, residents, and research trainees, the presenting author’s attending, mentor, last author or principal investigator must also be a SOCS member. 
• Membership: This program is reserved for Skin of Color Society members and pending members with a complete membership application. Non-members should submit a complete membership application by Monday, September 30 to meet eligibility requirements. Apply for membership here.
• Submission Deadline: Tuesday, October 1, by 12:00 PM CT.
• Notification: Acceptance and rejection notices will be sent to the submitter in November 2024.
• Registration: All accepted presenters must register for the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium to be included in the program.

Presenting Author Responsibilities 

The first author listed for each abstract will serve as the presenting author and primary contact for all correspondence regarding the abstract.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure all authors have read the abstract and agreed to be co-authors.
• Obtain disclosure information from all authors.
• Submit the abstract application via AwardForce.
• Forward all correspondence to all authors.
• If selected, register for the Scientific Symposium.

Call for Abstracts