The 12th PeDRA Annual Conference took place from October 24-26, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ. Centered around the theme Innovative Solutions to Advance Pediatric Dermatology Research, the conference focused on tools and strategies to drive impactful research. More than 300 dedicated scientists, trainees, industry partners, patients, and advocates gathered to connect and collaborate, all with a shared commitment to advancing research that improves the lives of children affected by skin diseases and conditions.

Highlights

• Keynote Session – featuring Amy Kind, MD, PhD discussing the Neighborhood Atlas.
• Plenary Sessions on Harnessing AI and Digital Technology for Your Research featuring Justin M. Ko, MD, MBA, Albert Yan, MD, FAAP, FAAD, and Steve Xu, MD and Novel Datasets featuring Lynn Petukhova, PhD and Jillian Rork, MD.
•  Early Investigator (EI) Forum: Crafting Your Career Priorities – Now in its ninth year, the Annual Early Investigator (EI) Forum brought together early investigators with an interest in pediatric dermatology, providing a platform for networking and professional development. This year’s theme focused on Crafting Your Career Priorities, offering attendees valuable insights and resources tailored to their career stage. The EI Forum kicked off with a reception on Thursday evening, October 24, featuring Jen Schoch, MD, leading an engaging game of “Workforce Trivia.” On Friday morning, October 25, attendees gained insights from three faculty members who have pursued diverse career paths and research priorities. Panelists discussed how they negotiated for their research time, upheld their personal core values, and advocated for their patients through research. Attendees had the chance to participate in breakout sessions to develop their own personal “strategic plan” and engage with our panelists.
•  4th Annual NextGen Research Forum: Paving the Way to a Career in Pediatric Dermatology – The 4th Annual NextGen Research Forum offered students and research fellows a platform to expand their networks, develop relevant skills, and showcase their research during the Conference. The Forum was co-chaired by Lara Wine Lee, MD, PhD of the Medical College of South Carolina, and Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD of Harvard Medical School, alongside other faculty moderators. The Forum included a reception on Thursday evening, October 24, and a morning session on Friday, October 25. The Thursday reception featured a panel discussion with esteemed faculty, David Israel Andrews, MD, Rich Antaya, MD, Lisa Arkin, MD, and Dawn Siegel, MD, sharing insights on the theme of Paving the Way to a Career in Pediatric Dermatology. Friday’s forum included breakout sessions and presentations, with faculty facilitating presentation feedback and audience questions.
• 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.
• Lunch and Partner Symposium – We kicked off EBAwarenessWeek2024 with the Chiesi-Sponsored Scientific Symposium: Illuminating the Path in Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB): Current Treatments, Cases, and Research, featuring Anna Bruckner, MD, Amy Paller, MD, and Kristina Derrick, MD. These leading experts discussed the latest research and its practical applications in wound management, along with future research directions and how to improve the lives of those with EB.
• Patient Engagement activities, including a Patient Breakout Session and 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 2024 PeDRA Annual Conference was made possible with the generous support of Abeona Therapeutics.
• Friday Reception and Karaoke – Highlights included dinner, networking, karaoke and dancing after 8 PM, and other fun activities!
• 2024 PeDRA Award Recipients Announced – Three PeDRA members have been recognized for outstanding contributions to the field of pediatric dermatology research as part of the 2024 PeDRA Awards Program. Announcements were made during the Capstone Session at the 2024 PeDRA Annual Conference. Anne Davis, PsyD was recognized as the 2024 Community Member of the Year; Candrice R. Heath, MD was recognized as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year; and Joy Wan, MD, MSCE was recognized as the 2024 Mentor of the Year.
• 2024 Dash for Discovery Fun Run/Walk – PeDRA held its 4th 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 2024 Dash took place as a hybrid event, giving in-person attendees at the 2024 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 eligible PeDRA Trainee Members, PeDRA Community Members, or families attending Mini Camp Wonder at PeDRA. 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 availability of funds and the merit of applications received. Special thanks to Abeona Therapeutics for their support of 2024 Travel Scholarships.
• Partner Exhibits – Patient groups and industry partners shared resources and connected with attendees.

Supporters

Thanks to our supporters for making the 12th PeDRA Annual Conference possible.

Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by 1R13AR084855-01 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and all co-funding support provided National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). 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.