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21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium: Innovating for Equity

Symposium unites experts to share research, discuss skin of color issues.

Thursday, March 6, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM (EST)

* Registration open until 3/6/25 at 8:00 PM (EST)

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Join us for the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium on March 6, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Delve into cutting-edge discussions and advancements in dermatology as we explore crucial topics related to skin of color.

#SOCS2025 #SOCSScientificSymposium #SkinofColorSociety #InnovatingforEquity
Credits Price
Fellow Member
$100.00
International Fellow Member
$100.00
Associate Member
$100.00
Affiliate Member
$100.00
Research Trainee Member
$25.00
Resident Member
$25.00
Student Member
$25.00
Credits Price
Non-Member - Physician
For dermatologists residing in the United States or Canada who are board-certified or eligible for board certification by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent.
$150.00
Non-Member - International Physician
For dermatologists residing outside of the United States or Canada who have demonstrated expertise in the treatment of skin of color.
$150.00
Non-Member - Associate
For non-board-certified dermatologists residing in the United States or Canada, or those not eligible for board certification by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent.
$150.00
Non-Member - Affiliate
For non-physician professionals (e.g., not MD/DO/MBBS or MBChB) with an active interest in skin of color dermatology, including PhDs, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, hospital or clinic administrators.
$150.00
Non-Member - Research Trainee
For individuals actively engaged in clinical research focused on skin of color, in good standing at a SOCS Institutional Research Fellowship or an accredited institution in the United States or Canada.
$50.00
Non-Member - Resident
For physicians currently accepted to or enrolled in an accredited dermatology residency training program in the United States or Canada and hold a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from the United States or a recognized international equivalent.
$50.00
Non-Member - Student
For non-member medical students enrolled in any medical school which is certified by the ACGME. 
$50.00
Industry Representative
To attend the Symposium, industry partners must actively sponsor a SOCS initiative, which includes complimentary registrations. Only if you've exceeded your complimentary allotment only then should you use this registration type to purchase access. To confirm your complimentary allotment status, contact info@skinofcolorsociety.org.

$300.00
Credits Price
iPoster Chat Hours
The iPoster Online Live Chat & Video Sessions takes place virtually from February 27 - March 4, 2025.
FREE
Medical Student Breakfast
The Medical Student Breakfast takes place prior to the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium from 8:00AM-10:00AM.
$20.00
Annual General Business Meeting
The General Business Meeting takes place prior to the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium from 11:00AM-12:30PM (members only) - includes lunch for registered members. 
FREE
Reception
The Reception takes place after the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium from 6:15PM - 8:00PM.
FREE

Agenda

March 5
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Early Registration and Badge Pick-up
March 6
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM Registration and Badge Pick-up Desks Open
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Medical Student Breakfast (Registration required; max capacity: 150)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM iPoster Galleries Open Viewing Explore this year's iPosters, available onsite for viewing!
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM SOCS & SOCS Foundation Annual General Business Meeting Members Only. Lunch for registered attendees. 
12:45 PM - 5:45 PM 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium: Innovating for Equity
12:45 PM - 12:48 PM Welcome Remarks Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD
12:48 PM - 12:51 PM Industry Champion Sponsor Videos Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD
12:51 PM - 12:53 PM Introduction to the Program Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD & Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD
12:53 PM - 1:13 PM Navigating Goals in Leadership: Insights from an AAD President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
1:13 PM - 1:38 PM Artificial intelligence and Skin Health Disparities Ade Adamson, MD, MPP, FAAD
1:38 PM - 1:46 PM Psychiatric and Autoimmune Comorbidities in Vitiligo: The Role of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Abstract Oral Presentation
Swathi Holla, MS
4th Year Medical Student
Baylor College of Medicine
1:46 PM - 2:02 PM Innovation Grant Finalists Session
2:02 PM - 2:22 PM Break 1: Featured iPoster Session (1 of 2) Please join us at the back of the meeting room to view the iPosters and engage with the presenters about their research.
2:22 PM - 2:26 PM Innovation Grant Awards Announcement Presented by Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali and EltaMD
2:26 PM - 3:11 PM Cross-Generational Mentorship: Pearls for Ensuring Success for Trainees Panel Moderator:
Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD
Panelists:
Roopal V. Kundu, MD, FAAD
Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD
Natasha A. Mesinkovska, MD, PhD
Amit G. Pandya, MD, FAAD
3:11 PM - 3:36 PM Racial Variation in the Effect of Sex Hormones in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc
3:36 PM - 3:45 PM Markers of Inflammation & Metabolic Disease in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Preliminary Analysis of TNF-α in Biospecimens from Howard University Department of Dermatology Abstract Oral Presentation
Madison Blackwell, BS
2nd Year Medical Student
Howard University College of Medicine
3:45 PM - 4:05 PM Break 2: Featured iPoser Session (2 of 2) Please join us at the back of the meeting room to view the iPosters and engage with the presenters about their research.
4:05 PM - 4:50 PM Improving Diversity in Research: How to Improve Diversity in Basic and Translational Research Panel Moderator:
John E. Harris, MD, PhD, FAAD
Panelists:
Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD
Tamia Harris-Tryon, MD, PhD
Shawn G. Kwatra, MD, FAAD
4:50 PM - 4:58 PM Investigating DNA Methylation in Prurigo Nodularis: Racial Variations in Epigenetic Neuroregulation Abstract Oral Presentation
Shahin Shahsavari, BA
3rd Year Medical Student
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
4:58 PM - 5:00 PM Introduction to Keynote Session Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD & Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD
5:00 PM - 5:40 PM Moderated Keynote Session Uché Blackstock, MD
* 25 min Fireside Chat followed by 15 min audience Q&A
5:40 PM - 5:45 PM Closing Remarks Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD
5:45 PM - 6:15 PM Grant and Award Announcements Victoria H. Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD
6:15 PM - 8:00 PM Reception Join us for an evening of networking over refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. Connect with fellow attendees and exchange ideas in a professional and welcoming atmosphere.
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM Book Signing with Dr. Uché Blackstock Following the inspiring fireside chat, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Uché Blackstock during a book signing session. Dr. Blackstock will sign copies of her acclaimed book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, offering a chance for personal interaction and further insight into her groundbreaking work.

Keynote Speaker


Dr. Uché Blackstock

Our keynote session features a moderated fireside chat with Dr. Uché Blackstock, Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, emergency physician, and New York Times-bestselling author of "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine."

For more information on Speaker, please visit www.prhspeakers.com.

Keynote Session & Signing Details

5:00 PM - 5:40 PM    Moderated Keynote Session 
25-minute Fireside Chat moderated by a SOCS leader, followed by a 15-minute audience Q&A

6:15 PM - 7:00 PM    Book Signing with Dr. Uché Blackstock

President & Co-Chairs

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

Scientific Committee Co-Chair
Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD

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


Scientific Committee Co-Chair

Invited Speakers

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

Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

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

Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc

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

Download program

Join the SOCS Medical Student Breakfast

Start your morning with an inspiring event designed to support and empower future dermatologists. Connect with leaders in dermatology and gain valuable insights to strengthen your application to residency programs.

When: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Where: Hyatt Regency Orlando | Regency Ballroom S

Why Attend?

Connect: Network with SOCS members and fellow medical students over breakfast.

Discover: Hear welcome remarks from SOCS President Dr. Barbosa, gain insights from a fascinating panel discussion with distinguished panelists, and learn about an exciting new opportunity that will be revealed.

Stay tuned in The Scoop for program details coming later this month.

To register for the SOCS Medical Student Breakfast, you must first register for the Scientific Symposium.

Spots are limited to 150 attendees, so register today!

REGISTER

Cross-Generational Mentorship:
Pearls for Ensuring Success for Trainees Panel

This panel will explore the dynamics of cross-generational working relationships, focusing on the mentorship of students, residents, and junior faculty. The discussion will provide insights and strategies for fostering successful mentorship across different generations.

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
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Improving Diversity in Research:
How to Improve Diversity in Basic and Translational Research Panel

This panel will address the critical need for enhancing diversity in basic and translational research. Experts will discuss strategies for increasing representation and inclusivity within research teams, study designs, and participant populations. The session will provide actionable insights on how to create a more equitable research environment that fosters innovation and addresses the needs of diverse communities.

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

Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD

Professor of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine
President, American Dermatological Association
Founder & Senior Medical Director, Callender Center for Clinical Research, LLC
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

 

Markers of Inflammation and Metabolic Disease in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Preliminary Analysis of TNF-α in Biospecimens from Howard University Department of Dermatology

Madison Blackwell

Madison Blackwell, BS

2nd Year Medical Student
Howard University College of Medicine

Psychiatric and Autoimmune Comorbidities in Vitiligo: The Role of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

Swathi Holla

Swathi Holla, MS

4th Year Medical Student
Baylor College of Medicine

Investigating DNA Methylation in Prurigo Nodularis: Racial Variations in Epigenetic Neuroregulation

Shahin Shahsavari

Shahin Shahsavari, BA

3rd Year Medical Student
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Scientific and Industry iPoster Galleries

Thank you for participating in the iPoster Online Live Chat & Video Sessions (Virtual) that took place February 27 through March 4, 2025. 

Continue to explore the iPoster Scientific and Industry galleries all year round. 

Scientific Gallery Industry Gallery



Scientific iPoster Activity Timeline and Status
Activity Deadlines Status
  Call for Abstracts   August 1 - October 1, 2024, Noon CT   Closed
  Scientific Committee Review   October - November 2024   Completed
  Notifications to Abstract Primary Authors   November 2024   Completed
  Accepted Authors: iPoster Upload   November 15 - December 11, 2024   Completed
  Featured iPoster Notifications   Late January 2025   Completed
  iPoster Online Live Chat & Video Sessions (Virtual)   February 27 - March 4, 2025   Completed

For iPoster gallery only, poster uploads are due December 11, 2024 by 11:59 a.m. (CST). Please refer to your iPoster upload instructions emailed to you for more details.

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 support@ipostersessions.com with Conference Code: SOCS2025.

*Based on sponsorship level.

Accessibility and Inclusivity:

iPoster Sessions 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.

2024-2025 Scientific Committee

Co-Chairs

Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD

Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD

Members

Bryan T. Carroll, MD, PhD, FAAD

Janet A. Fairley, MD, FAAD

Marwa Hakimi, MD

Courtney M. Johnson, MD, PhD, FAAD

Jun Kang, MD, FAAD

Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD

Vineet Mishra, MD, FAAD

Stavonnie Sheri Patterson, MD, FAAD

Maritza I. Perez, MD, FAAD

William D. Shipman III, MD, PhD, FAAD

Neelam Ajit Vashi, MD, FAAD

Jessica Shiu, MD, PhD

Olayemi Sokumbi, MD

Morvarid Zehtab, MD

All registration fees, less 25% of the total registration fee for administrative costs, will be refunded upon written notice of cancellation to the SOCS office received at least two weeks prior to the event. 

There will be no refund of fees for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the event or for lack of attendance without notification.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your cancellation request has been received by the SOCS headquarters office. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to info@skinofcolorsociety.org. “No shows” who have not pre-paid will be invoiced for the total registration fee.

Past Symposium Information

Explore the program from past Annual Scientific Symposia by clicking on the links below:

2024 – 20th Annual Scientific Symposium 2023 – 19th Annual Scientific Symposium 2022 – 18th Annual Scientific Symposium 2021 – 17th Annual Scientific Symposium 2020 – 16th Annual Scientific Symposium 2019 – 15th Annual Scientific Symposium 2018 – 14th Annual Scientific Symposium 2017 – 13th Annual Scientific Symposium 2016 – 12th Annual Scientific Symposium 2015 – 11th Annual Scientific Symposium 2014 – 10th Annual Scientific Symposium

If you have any dietary restrictions, please e-mail info@skinofcolorsociety.org

For More Information:

Dan Eller
Dan Eller
Skin Of Color Society
View Profile

Member

To access the member tickets for the event, please click on the "Login" icon at the top of the page. Once logged in you will be able to purchase the ticket based on your member type.  

Non-Members

You will need to create a user account prior to registering for the annual symposium. Please follow the steps below. 
1. Click on the "Join" icon above.
2. Select the "Create An Account" option.
3. Complete the form and submit it.
4. Make sure you are logged in and then select the appropriate non-member event ticket. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We sincerely thank our sponsors for their invaluable support of the 21st Annual Scientific Symposium. Your contributions play a vital role in the success of this event and our ongoing efforts to advance innovation, collaboration, and excellence in dermatology.

CHAMPION


ALLY


 

    

PARTNER



FRIEND

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

A heartfelt thank you to our year-round sponsors for your unwavering support, which strengthens our mission and impacts the dermatology community year-round.

Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, FAAD

Nina and David Harvey, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

View our sponsorship prospectus linked below

 
Contact: Kimberly Miller, Executive Director at kmiller@skinofcolorsociety.org