The 11th PeDRA Annual Conference was held November 9-11, 2023, at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta. Attendees had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with dedicated scientists, trainees, industry partners, patients, and advocates to advance research that improves the lives of children with skin diseases and conditions. The Conference focused on stimulating new ideas, advancing collaborative research projects, and equipping attendees with important new skills and knowledge.

Highlights

• Keynote Session featuring John O’Shea, MD and Plenary Sessions featuring Lilit Garibyan, MD, PhD; Rox Anderson, MD; Jaishri Blakely, MD; Sally Gottesman, MBA; Yakir Levin, MD, PhD; Kachiu Lee, MD; Nicole Ward, PhD; and Johann Gudjonsson, MD, PhD.
• Innovation Forum – The Innovation Forum was a workshop designed to engage Conference attendees in learning how to identify important real-world problems related to pediatric dermatology and ways to develop innovative solutions to solve them. The Forum was led and facilitated by Lilit Garibyan, MD, PhD, Kachiu Lee, MD, and Yakir Levin, MD, PhD of the Magic Wand Initiative.
• Early Investigator (EI) Forum: The FUNdamentals of Grants – Early Investigators joined fellow colleagues on the evening of Thursday, November 9 for an EI Reception focused on networking. During this one-hour session, Dr. Jeff Yu shared several effective strategies to help attendees make the most of their networking efforts and tips for networking throughout the PeDRA Annual Conference. The EI Forum on the FUNdamentals of Grants followed on the morning of Friday, November 10. Participants learned the latest trends and took a deep dive into grants preparation. They heard from two successfully funded researchers, Beth Drolet, MD, and Jeff Yu, MD, on the best practices for creating a budget, developing a data analysis plan, putting together a timeline, writing a biosketch and cover letter, and more. The EI Forum was limited to residents, pediatric dermatology clinical fellows, and early investigators who are less than seven years out of training.
• 3rd Annual NextGen Research Forum – The Annual NextGen Forum is an opportunity for students and research fellows to grow their networks, develop relevant skills, and present their research during the Conference. The Forum was co-chaired by Keith Choate, MD, PhD of Yale University, and Lara Wine Lee, MD, PhD of the Medical University of South Carolina, along with other faculty moderators. The Forum included a panel discussion on the evening of Thursday, November 9, and a morning session on Friday, November 10. The session featured oral presentations from selected trainee abstracts and provided the opportunity for trainees to give short presentations or elevator pitches on a project in a small group setting. Special thanks to Krystal Biotech for their support of the 2023 NextGen Research Forum.
• Breakout Sessions – Focused Study Groups and project teams came together to discuss new and ongoing collaborative research studies.
• Original Research shared during a poster reception and as oral presentations of selected abstracts. We received a record number of abstract submissions and had over 130 posters on display.
• Patient Engagement activities, including Camp Wonder at PeDRA. This FREE, kids-only event was hosted through a special partnership with the Children’s Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF). The folks at CSDF have been running the full Camp Wonder since 2001 as a week-long escape for children with chronic and life-threatening skin diseases to take a break from being a patient and focus on being a kid. They are experts at creating fun for children and PeDRA was proud to welcome them back to this year’s conference. Camp Wonder at the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference was made possible with the generous support of Sanofi Regeneron.
• Taste of Atlanta Reception – Highlights included dinner, networking, karaoke and dancing after 8 PM, and other fun activities!
• Inaugural Cohort of PeDRA Award Recipients Announced – Three PeDRA members have been recognized for outstanding contributions to the field of pediatric dermatology research as part of the 2023 PeDRA Awards Program. Announcements were made during the Welcome Session at the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference before an audience of roughly 360 conference attendees. Francesca Tenconi, MBA was recognized as the 2023 Community Member of the Year; Jillian Rork, MD was recognized as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year; and James Treat, MD was recognized as the 2023 Mentor of the Year.
• 2023 Dash for Discovery Fun Run/Walk – PeDRA held its 3rd Annual PeDRA Dash for Discovery to give runners, walkers, and yogis of all ages and abilities the chance to support research and collaboration in the field of pediatric dermatology with their choice of a 5K fun run/walk, a child-friendly 1-mile run/walk, or the opportunity to do yoga in person at the Conference venue. The 2023 Dash took place as a hybrid event, giving in-person attendees at the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference to complete the dash in person and virtual participants the chance to run or walk a course of their own design.
• Travel Scholarships – PeDRA was proud to offer Travel Scholarships to help offset the cost of travel for Trainee Members, Community Members, and Active or Affiliate Members within two years of completing training, as well as patients, parents, and advocates to attend the Conference. Scholarships were available to eligible applicants from all backgrounds including, but not limited to, individuals from communities that are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). Scholarships were awarded following an application and competitive review process, depending on the availability of funds and the merit of applications received. Special thanks to Abeona and Pampers for their support of 2023 Travel Scholarships.
• Partner Exhibits – Patient groups and industry partners shared resources and connected with attendees.

Supporters

Thanks to our supporters for making the 11th PeDRA Annual Conference possible.

Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by (1R13AR083807-01) from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.