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
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.
(Dec. 27, 2023, Chicago, IL) The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the global leader in skin of color dermatology, reports that 2023 was a year of exceptional progress in support of its mission to change the landscape for people of color through research, education, mentorship and advocacy. Several signature SOCS programs and newer initiatives that took place this year made uniquely important contributions to the field, as follows.
SOCS Presidents united, pictured from left: Drs. Andrew F. Alexis (current SOCS President) with Past Presidents through the years: Drs. Rebat Halder, Valerie M. Harvey, Valerie D. Callender, Founder Susan C. Taylor, Amy McMichael, Lynn McKinley-Grant, Seemal R. Desai and President-Elect Victoria Barbosa.
2023 Highlights
December 2023: The SOCS Meeting the Challenge Summit: Population Descriptors in Dermatology Research Studies—Continuing in its commitment to increase diversity in dermatology research studies and clinical trials, SOCS presented its second Meeting the Challenge Summit in December 2023, this time focusing on population descriptors that best describe various populations under study. As the second in a series, the Summit convened an esteemed, diverse group of 116 stakeholders, including skin of color dermatology leaders, researchers, clinicians, regulators, dermatologists-in-training, industry representatives, geneticists, dermatology journal editors, and an anthropologist.