Getting to Know You

We're kicking off Season Three of Getting to Know You with PeDRA's President, Anna Bruckner, MD! Dr. Bruckner is a professor of dermatology and pediatric dermatologist at the University of Colorado. As one of PeDRA's original founding members, she has served on countless committees over the years and is excited about her new role as the PeDRA President for the 2022-2024 term. Her dedication to research, particularly focused on epidermolysis bullosa, is making an impact in the field of pediatric dermatology and patient care. Watch now to learn more about her research and path to pediatric dermatology.

Morgan Dykman is the 2022-23 PeDRA Fellow. After becoming a PeDRA in late 2021, Morgan made quick work of networking and collaborating on projects with her mentor, Dr. Jillian Rork. Now, as the PeDRA Fellow, Morgan supports Executive Committee meetings, and board meetings, and is even leading an internal research project all about PeDRA's connections. Watch to learn more about what led to Morgan's passion for pediatric dermatology research.

Dr. Michele Ramien has been a member of PeDRA for many years. She currently chairs the PeDRA Meetings Committee and serves as a co-leader for the newly created Drugs and Bugs Focused Study Group. Watch to learn more about Dr. Ramien's path to research through PeDRA.

Colleen Cotton, MD is a Pediatric Dermatologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Dr. Cotton joined PeDRA as a research fellow in 2013 and was one of the first PeDRA Fellows. She now serves on PeDRA's Early Investigator and Meetings Committees, as well as a participant in PeDRA's Mentorship Program as both a mentor and mentee. Be sure to watch to the end to learn more about Dr. Cotton's unique hidden talent.

Meet PeDRA's newest staff member, Caitlin Haskell! Caitlin joined PeDRA in July as our first-ever Communications Manager. With over a decade of experience in strategic communications, events, and academic recruiting, Caitlin brings with her a skillset tailor-made for PeDRA. Learn more about Caitlin's role and her exciting star sightings in Nashville, TN.

Joy Wan, MD is a pediatric dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Wan is a very active member of PeDRA, serving on PeDRA's Early Investigator Committee and the Eczema Count Project Steering Committee. Like so many others, pediatric dermatology wasn't high on her list when she entered medical school, but soon became her passion after her third-year rotation in dermatology. Watch to learn more about Dr. Wan and how her artistic skills earned her some serious Super Bowl swag as a child.

Jillian Rork, MD is a pediatric dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. Dr. Rork is the co-founder of the PeDRA Down syndrome focused study sub-group and has a passion for treating skin diseases in children with Down syndrome. Learn more about her journey from French major to pediatric dermatologist and her love of playing music in this month's installment of Getting to Know You!

Dr. Carrie Coughlin is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She is the chair of the PeDRA Outcomes Committee, serves on the PeDRA Meetings and Studies committees, and leads the Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC) Focused Study Group. Learn more about Dr. Coughlin and the importance of communicating PeDRA's work outside the field of pediatric dermatology.

This year marks PeDRA's 10th anniversary. For 10 years, our vibrant community has been forging relationships and conducting meaningful research to prevent, treat, and cure childhood skin diseases. Together, we are advancing the field in ways that were nothing more than dreams 10 years ago. Take a look back at what we've accomplished and where we're heading in the future with PeDRA's Executive Director, Mike Siegel, PhD. Celebrate with us by sharing your favorite PeDRA memory https://pedraresearch.org/pedras-turning-10/ (right here)!

Dr. Harper Price is the Division Chief and Fellowship Director of Pediatric Dermatology at Phoenix Children's Hospital as well as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Having been a member of PeDRA since nearly the beginning, she's previously served on the Membership Committee and is currently serving on the Grants Committee and PeDRA's Best Practices Task Force. Dr. Price is an avid photographer and loves animals. Watch to learn more about her great work.

Dr. Megha Tollefson is a Pediatric Dermatologist and Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic. She has served on several PeDRA committees in the past and is currently serving as Member at Large on the Board of Directors. Dr. Tollefson, like so many others in the field, has always enjoyed taking care of children. Learn how that passion translated into a career in pediatric dermatology and learn about a little piece of advice she received from her Peloton coach.

Dr. Beth Drolet is Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She's a founding member of PeDRA, completed a term as chair of PeDRA's Nominating Committee in 2021, and is a current member of the Best Practices Task Force. Tune in for Dr. Drolet's perspective on leaning into failure and be sure to watch until the very end as she shares her very special hidden talent (hint – it will make you want to dance!). Watch and learn more about Dr. Drolet's incredible career in research.

Holly joined the PeDRA team in June of 2021 as the 2021 – 2022 PeDRA Fellow. Holly manages PeDRA's four social media platforms, provides administrative support to the board of directors, and is the medical student liaison for PeDRA's Early Investigator Committee. Holly is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Massachusetts and enjoys being a peer mentor to other medical students. When she's not studying, supporting PeDRA, or mentoring medical students, she's out and about seeking thrills. Listen to the very end for Holly's most intense thrills to date.

In this very special Getting to Know You, we look back on how it all began with PeDRA's first executive director, Sheila Rittenberg. She was brought on in 2013 and for six years, Sheila and the board of directors carefully laid the foundation for the organization we are today. Now, as PeDRA nears its 10th birthday, Sheila shares her personal connection to childhood skin disease and her hopes for PeDRA's future. She also shares how she's been able to nurture her creative side in retirement by working to produce a documentary film.

Dr. Stein is the new PeDRA Biostatistician. Hailing from Arizona, Amy stumbled into a career in statistics near the end of her senior year as an undergraduate. One of her professors offered her a stop in the statistics graduate program at Baylor and it was there that Amy found her calling. She supports PeDRA investigators with everything from designing a stats-friendly study to teasing out data at the end of a study, all with a hands-on, energetic approach. When Dr. Stein isn't tackling the stats, she's baking cookies for every season with her children, and reading any book she can get her hands on.

Dr. Lalor is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is a vice chair of PeDRA's Acne and HS Focused Study Group. Even though she had decided on dermatology as her specialty, she said she'd never be a pediatric dermatologist. That is, until she went to University of Cincinnati for her residency and fell in love with the field. Learn more about her research and be sure to listen to the very end for a special announcement.

Season 2 will drop in November. Make sure you like and subscribe so new episodes automatically download. This season's guests include Dr. Beth Drolet, Dr. Elaine Siegfried, Dr. Carrie Couglin and so many more!

Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield is a Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics and Vice-Chair of Dermatology at the University of California, San Diego. He's a founding member of PeDRA and one of PeDRA's original Co-Presidents. Dr. Eichenfield is a leader in the field of inflammatory skin disease research and has led many PeDRA studies while mentoring colleagues and trainees on many more. Learn more about Dr. Eichenfield's career and his passion for musical theater.

Dr. Jeffrey Sugarman is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is a founding member of PeDRA and served on PeDRA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee for many years. He's also the immediate past president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Learn more about Dr. Sugarman and his work in pediatric dermatology research. 

Dr. Streicher is an Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. She's currently co-chairing PeDRA's Birthmarks Focused Study Group. She became interested in pediatric dermatology while in medical school at Indiana University after completing a peds derm rotation with Dr. Anita Haggstrom. Her training took her to Georgia and Pennsylvania, and she's come full circle back to Indiana to work alongside Dr. Haggstrom. Learn more about her work with the Birthmarks Focused Study Group and why she's been reading so much by Julia Donaldson lately.

Milie Fang is finishing her fourth year of medical school at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indiana and recently matched into the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Dermatology Residency Program. Milie joined PeDRA in 2019 after attending her first PeDRA conference and presented at the 2020 virtual PeDRA Annual Conference. Learn more about Milie's work and her multi-lingual skills!

Dr. Rony Francois is a fourth-year resident at the University of Florida.  He is currently working through a research elective at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and will be heading back to UCSF as a dermatopathology fellow soon. Dr. Francois has several research interests, but his primary focus is melanoma. Get to know more about Dr. Francois's research and his love of "spontaneous" travel.

Katherine Devenport is PeDRA's Research Coordinator. Prior to joining the PeDRA team in 2018, she was a research assistant at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has degrees in both Biology and Biochemistry and had plans of becoming a veterinarian until pediatric dermatology research captured her heart. Get to know more about Katherine and her role and hear about her four furry friends.

Heather Miller joined PeDRA in 2020 as the event manager for PeDRA's first virtual conference. She previously spent time working with the National Psoriasis Foundation and brings many years of non-profit experience to her role. Since 2020, Heather's role with PeDRA has grown from planning the Annual Conference, to also support membership and the PeDRA Mobile app. Get to know more about Heather and her billiards hobby!

Mike Siegel, PhD joined PeDRA as the Executive Director in 2018. He received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington and got his start in dermatology research at OHSU. Following his time at OHSU he become the Senior Vice President of Research and Clinical Affairs at the National Psoriasis Foundation. It was through his work at NPF that he became acquainted with PeDRA. Get to know more about Mike, what he loves about the work he does and how he became a sandwich connoisseur.

Yvonne Chiu, MD is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She joined PeDRA in 2014 and founded the Connective Tissue and Autoinflammatory Disorders Focused Study Group (then a subgroup of the Inflammatory Skin Disease Workgroup). She has since served on many committees, including the Outcomes, Grants, and Early Investigator Committees. She currently co-chairs the PeDRA Meetings Committee and is a member of PeDRA's Board of Directors. Get to know more about Dr. Chiu, her story, and how she's mastered Google along the way!

Olivia Davies is finishing her fourth year of medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and recently matched into Harvard-Combined Dermatology Residency Class of 2025. She is the current PeDRA Fellow and oversees PeDRA's social media and supports the Board of Directors and consensus guidelines projects. During her research fellowship year, Olivia became interested in pediatric dermatology research after being inspired by two very important PeDRA members. Get to know more about Olivia and her time spent in Spain.

Dr. Jennifer Huang is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She joined PeDRA in its infancy and helped to establish the Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC) Focused Study Group. She has served on many committees within the organization, including chairing the Early Investigator Committee. She's currently a member of the Board of Directors, Grants Committee and is co-chairing the Meetings Committee. Get to know more about Dr. Huang and her passion for oncodermatology.

Dr. Brandling-Bennett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is the chair of the PeDRA Connective Tissue and Autoinflammatory Disorders Focused Study Group. She values the PeDRA network for being a place where new ideas take shape, and "ah-ha" moments that can be shared with others. Get to know more about Dr. Brandling-Bennett and listen as she shares some thoughts on how to build a rewarding career.

Dr. Kalyani Marathe is an Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics. After being inspired by her physician father, she pursued science in college where she took pre-med courses while majoring in English. Her research is focused on pediatric vulvar disease and she recently started a vulvar clinic with a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Get to know more about Dr. Marathe and how her patients have shaped her views of the diseases she treats. Listen to the very end to discover her very special hidden talent!

David Roberts joined PeDRA as the Development Director in 2019. He brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit development to his role. He has worked in the dermatology space for some time, having previously worked at the National Psoriasis Foundation. Get to know more about David and his artistic abilities!

Dr. Deepti Gupta is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She found her way to pediatric dermatology while in pediatric residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She's been a member of PeDRA for many years and currently serves on PeDRA's Early Investigator Committee. Get to know Dr. Gupta and learn how the PeDRA network helps her address knowledge gaps and better understand disease processes.

Jenn Dawson brings more than 15 years of mission-based nonprofit experience to her role as PeDRA's Outreach Manager. She manages PeDRA's education program and outreach activities and supports the initiatives of the Early Investigator Committee. Get to know more about Jenn, her work, and her passion for musical theater.

Dr. Ilona Frieden is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, a founding member of PeDRA, and is PeDRA's current President. She's a recognized leader in the field, having mentored many PeDRA members and inspired countless others in pediatric dermatology. Get to know Dr. Frieden and the important role that mentorship has played in her career.

Dr. Lisa Arkin is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Arkin is a long-time PeDRA member and serves as the chair for PeDRA's Early Investigator Committee. She also oversees programming for PeDRA's Annual Early Investigator Forum which takes place alongside the PeDRA Annual Conference. Get to know Dr. Arkin and how her experience on September 11, 2001 changed her career path forever.

Randy Ko is an MD, PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He was inspired to go into pediatric dermatology after struggling with his own dermatologic issues while growing up. Get to know more about Randy and how he's applying advice he received from his dad to his everyday life.

Dr. Kelly Cordoro is a Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. She is one of PeDRA's founding members, having been at the whiteboard when the acronym “PeDRA” was decided. Dr. Cordoro is a world leader in the field of pediatric psoriasis and serves as chair of the Pediatric Dermatology COVID-19 Response Task Force. Get to know more about Dr. Cordoro, her story, and how her physics professor helped put her on the path to pediatric dermatology!

Randy Ko is an MD, PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He was inspired to go into pediatric dermatology after struggling with his own dermatologic issues while growing up. Get to know more about Randy and how he's applying advice he received from his dad to his everyday life.