Cross-Generational Mentorship: Pearls for Ensuring Success for Trainees Panel
On-Demand Video
Event Details
Skin of Color Society 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium
Innovating for Equity
Presented and recorded on March 6, 2025 in Orlando, FL
This meeting was planned and organized by the 2024-2025 SOCS Scientific Committee co-chaired by Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen, MD, PhD, FAAD. View Final Program.
Panelists:
Natasha A. Mesinkovska, MD, PhD, FAAD
Associate Professor; Vice Chair, Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine
Dr. Mesinkovska is a prolific writer, speaker and researcher. She is a Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic trained dermatologist and dermatopathologist who currently serves as the Vice Chair, Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA. She runs a busy clinical research unit, and is dedicated to alopecia, aging and inflammatory disorders research. As a faculty of the University of California Beckman Laser Institute, she is involved in developing non-invasive imaging modalities for skin and hair conditions.
Natasha is an exceptional educator and mentor, a recipient of many awards and grants, recognizing her educational, clinical and research performance. She served as a Chief Scientific Officer for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (2015–2022), a role essential in developing clinical trials that lead to approval of novel therapies and on Board of Directors for the American Hair Research Society. She is the Director for Integrative Dermatology at the University of California Irvine, S. Samueli Integrative Health Institute advancing evidence-based research in integrative and functional studies.
Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD
Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Dr. Okoye is Professor and Chair of Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine. Her areas of clinical and research expertise are in health disparities in dermatology and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Dr. Okoye left her native Trinidad & Tobago to attend Barry University, where she earned her BS degree. She then earned her Medical Degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed her dermatology residency training at Yale University. She has been recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology with a Presidential Citation, a Volunteerism Award, a Patient Care Hero Award, and the 2023 William James, M.D. Mentor of the Year Award. She is the author of over 90 publications, including a textbook, The Fundamentals of Ethnic Hair.
Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD
Clinical Professor and Residency Program Director, Loma Linda University Health
Dr. Luke is a Clinical Professor and serves as Residency Program Director at the Loma Linda University Department of Dermatology. Dr. Luke specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology with expertise in hyperpigmentation, hair disorders, and skin of color. She is also the Director of the Cosmetic and Laser Center at LLU and created the Resident Cosmetic Clinic, a curriculum designed to give residents specialized training in performing cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Luke is active in numerous national societies such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), SOCS, NMA, WDS and APD. She currently serves as a member of the ACGME Dermatology Review Committee, is the Co-Chair of the Technology/Media Committee and sits on the Board of Directors for the Skin of Color Society (SOCS). Dr. Luke’s passion for educating patients as well as the public have resulted in numerous contributions to various media outlets.
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
Dr. Kundu is the Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education and is a professor of dermatology and medical education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kundu serves as the founding director of the Northwestern Center for Ethnic Skin and Hair (established in 2005) which provides medical and procedural dermatology care, along with educational programs, community outreach, and clinical trials research.
Dr. Kundu has served many mentorship roles in her career, first as a program director for both the dermatology and combined medicine-dermatology programs for nearly 8 years before moving on to become the Associate Dean of Admissions in 2016. She loves the opportunity to see patients, teach, conduct research in her areas of interest, and be a part of the development of the next generation of dermatologists. Dr. Kundu has held leadership roles with the American Academy of Dermatology, Skin of Color Society, and the Association of American Medical Colleges.