2027 PeDRA Mentors

New this year: Select your top three mentor preferences. Meet our 2027 mentors—click on each headshot to learn more about their background, expertise, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of pediatric dermatology researchers.

Regina-Celeste Ahmad, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco | Associate Professor

Preferred research area(s): Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Education, Skin Tumors & Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Basic science, clinical, translational

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Academic promotion, conducting translational research, manuscript peer review, networking, negotiation/conflict resolution, study design/execution, work/life balance

 

City/State/Time Zone: San Francisco, CA, Pacific

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

My basic science training is in immunology (and is still my first love), and I also trained in pediatrics before transitioning to dermatology and ultimately pediatric dermatology fellowship. My career path was atypical: I left academia after my fellowship and spent nearly 7 years at a large medical group called the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (now part of Sutter Health) before returning to academia 5 years ago. I continued my work with PeDRA and volunteered at our county hospital peds derm clinic throughout my time at PAMF. I love multidisciplinary work and recently became associate editor for our Peds Derm journal, so manuscript review is something very familiar to me. I feel I have a good knowledge of different practice types for Peds Derm, how to negotiate for salary and resources essential for a thriving practice both in private practice and academics. I have had to care for a very ill child at home, so I also have a lot of experience with work-life balance. I have informally and formally mentored many medical students, residents (including peds residents), and colleagues over the past 10+ years. I love trying to help trainees find their path to peds derm, we so need to encourage more people to join our amazing field.


Lisa Arkin, MD
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health | Associate Professor of Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Genetic Skin Disorders

Preferred type of research: Clinical, industry-sponsored research, translational

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, academic promotion, developing a niche, conducting translational research, networking, working with industry

City/State/Time Zone: Madison, WI, Central

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Early Investigator, Mid-career Investigator

My clinical and research interests include pediatric autoimmune and auto-inflammatory skin diseases—including lupus and dermatomyositis—as well as vascular anomalies, with particular expertise in adjuvant laser. My work focuses on improving patient outcomes through clinical phenotyping, biomarker discovery, and multidisciplinary translational research.


Heather Brandling-Bennett, MD
University of Washington | Professor

Preferred research area(s): Atopic Dermitis & Psorasis, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Drugs & Bugs, Skin Tumors & Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

Preferred type of research: Clinical

Area(s) of Expertise: Academic promotion, developing a niche, manuscript writing, SMART goal setting, work/life balance

City/State/Time Zone: Seattle, WA, Pacific

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator

I am currently interim Division Head of Dermatology at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology at the University of Washington. I have been an active member of PeDRA for many years – essentially since its inception, currently serving on the Board of Directors, and previously I was co-chair of the Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory FSG and co-founder of the STARC FSG. PeDRA has been an invaluable part of my career, and I would be happy to help others navigate their own academic journey.


Colleen Cotton, MD
George Washington University School of Medicine | Associate Professor of Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Atopic Dermitis & Psorasis, Birthmarks, Skin of Color & Pigmentary Disorders

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Quality Improvement, Industry-Sponsored Research

Area(s) of Expertise: Academic Promotion, Developing a Niche, Grant Writing, SMART Goal Setting, Study Design/Execution, Work/Life Balance, Working with Industry

City/State/Time Zone: Washington DC, Eastern

Meeting frequency: Quarterly, and/or every other month

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

I think I would be a good mentor to someone early in their career wanting to get more involved with research but not sure where to start, or trying to figure out where they should be starting to find a niche. I can draw on my personal experience finding my niche as an attending through clinical practice and having participated in several studies, including running a large multicenter retrospective study in training. The best mentee for me would be someone who has strong ideas about what they are looking for help with and is self-motivated and driven.


Dawn Davis, MD
Mayo Clinic Rochester | Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Atopic Dermitis & Psorasis, Birthmarks, Connective & Autoinflammatory Skin Disorders, Neonatal Skin Care

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Epidemiology, Quality Improvement, Industry-Sponsored Research, Business Ventures

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 Leadership, Academic Promotion, Developing a Niche, Manuscript Writing, Networking, Negotiation/Conflict Resolution, SMART Goal Setting, Work/Life Balance, Working with Industry, and Working with Patient Advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Rochester, MN, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Every other month

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator

 

Brief Bio: Dr. Davis was recruited to Mayo Clinic to establish the pediatric dermatology section and fellowship, the only pediatric subspecialty practice across Mayo enterprise (AZ, FL, MN, WI). She enjoys administrative work and has had the privilege of serving in roles such as Medical Director of Referral Coordination, Specialty Contracts, and Alumni Relations; Clinical Division Chair and Practice Chair; Director of Women’s Leadership Development; The Diversity Council; and President of the Staff. She is passionate about community engagement, with longstanding relationships with the local Ronald McDonald House (Trustee, President), The Jeremiah Program (Trustee), and The Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust (Trustee).


Beth Drolet, MD
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health | Chair of Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Birthmakrs

 

Preferred type of research: Translational

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 Leadership, Conducting Basic Science, and Translational Research, Grant Writing, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, SMART Goal Setting, Study Design/Execution

 

City/State/Time Zone: Madison, WI, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Mid-Career Investigator

 


Lawrence Eichenfield, MD
University of California, San Diego | Distinguished Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Birthmarks, Skin Tumors & Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Industry-Sponsored Research, Leadership

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, SMART goal setting, Study design/execution, Working with industry

 

City/State/Time Zone: San Diego, CA, Pacific

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

 


Deepti Gupta, MD
University of Washington | Associate Professor

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Education, Hair Disorders, Skin of Color & Pigmentary Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Work/life balance, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Seattle WA, Pacific

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly, Every other month

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I am hoping to provide mentorship around developing a niche, work-life balance, and providing coaching to explore career goals and pathways.


Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD
Harvard Medical School | Associate Professor

Preferred research area(s): Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Birthmarks, Genetic Skin Disorders, Skin Tumors & Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Translational

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Grant writing, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Cambridge, MA, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Every other Month, Monthly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I love mentoring and view mentorship as a true two-way relationship—I learn from my mentees and find their growth and success deeply rewarding. I was honored to receive PeDRA’s Mentor of the Year Award in 2025 and have mentored successful applicants who received Weston Award funding and support for other research proposals. I especially enjoy helping mentees identify and develop their own niche, connecting them with opportunities, collaborators, and sponsorship that can help them grow into independent investigators and leaders in pediatric dermatology. I would be delighted to mentor an applicant interested in a career in Boston or beyond!


Jennifer Huang, MD
Boston Children’s Hospital | Associate Professor of Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Skin Tumors & Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Manuscript peer review, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Study design/execution, Work/life balance

 

City/State/Time Zone: Boston, MA, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I have clinical expertise in oncodermatology and have done clinical research in this area as well as some general topics in pediatric dermatology, including health disparities. I enjoy mentoring trainees and young faculty and helping them think through the goals and methodology of their research.


Moise Levy, MD
University of Texas, Austin | Professor, Pediatrics and Medicine

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Genetic Skin Disorders, Neonatal Skin Care

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Industry-Sponsored Research

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Work/life balance, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Austin, TX, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Every other month

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

Brief Bio:I have been practicing pediatric and adolescent derm for 40 years; I have grown a program at a major children’s hospital and started another at a different children’s hospital. Clinical research has been done by me and others at both locations. I collaborated with basic scientists at my first location. In addition, I served as director of medical services at a new children’s hospital for several years. Further, I was a member and president of the ABD and have been president of the SPD. I was chair of the patient advocacy committee of the AAD. I have other administrative roles; my clinical time is decreasing!


Denise Metry, MD
Texas A&M University | Adjunct Professor of Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Education, Genetic Skin Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Epidemiology

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Study design/execution, Work/life balance, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: College Station, TX, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Flexible

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I’m an academic pediatric dermatologist who has often taken “the road less traveled” for the sake of my family and personal values. After 23 years at Texas Children’s Hospital, I moved to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in an underserved area of South Texas, where I now commute 1-2 weeks a month and see the rest of my patients via telehealth. I’ve built a career I love while keeping my family first, and at this stage I want to mentor the next generation of leaders in our field by sharing the mistakes I’ve made and the lessons they taught me.


Vikash Oza, MD
NYU Grossman School of Medicine | Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics

Preferred research area(s):Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Drugs & Bugs, Education

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Developing a niche, Manuscript peer review, Networking

 

City/State/Time Zone: New York, NY, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow

 

Brief Bio: I am an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics. I am excited to help a trainee or early career investigator navigate the early stages of their career and learn how to build an academic career.


Amy Paller, MD
Northwestern University | Chair, Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Genetic Skin Disorders, Hair Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Basic Science, Clinical, Translational

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Conducting basic science research, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Conducting translational research, Grant writing, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Study design/execution, Working with industry, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Chicago, IL, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Early Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I have been practicing, organizing clinical research, and running a basic science/translational lab for more than 35 years. I have mentored hundreds of students, residents, fellows, and faculty in my various roles as Dept Chair, residency director, fellowship director, research center director, and head of clinical and bench research programs.


Harper Price, MD
Phoenix Children’s Hospital | Division Chief

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Drugs & Bugs, Genetic Skin Disorders, Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Quality Improvement, Industry-Sponsored Research

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Grant writing, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Study design/execution, Working with industry, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Phoenix, AZ Pacific/Mountain

 

Meeting frequency: Every other month

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I am an early senior career clinician practicing complex medical pediatric dermatology in a quaternary pediatric health system. I have leadership experience as a division chief for the last 10 years, as well as serving on our hospital’s original Governance Council and now co-chairing our research mentorship program at Phoenix Children’s. My research interests include industry-sponsored clinical trials and research protocol development, rare disease research, and research consulting.


Jillian Rork, MD
Dartmouth Health | Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Genetic Skin Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Epidemiology, Translational

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Developing a niche, Grant writing, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Hanover, NH, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Every other month

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow

 

Brief Bio: As a pediatric dermatologist and clinician-researcher, I am passionate about helping trainees develop meaningful, patient-centered research questions and turn them into achievable projects. My own work focuses on improving dermatologic care for individuals with Down syndrome and other underserved populations, with experience in large-dataset research, clinical outcomes, and patient advocacy. As a mentor, I aim to be approachable, collaborative, and pragmatic—helping mentees find their own interests, build confidence as investigators, and navigate the research and publication process.


Cathryn Sibbald, MD
University of Toronto | Dermatologist

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Education, Hair Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Developing a niche, Study design/execution

 

City/State/Time Zone: Toronto, CA, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident

 

Brief Bio: I completed my dermatology training in Toronto, followed by a peds derm fellowship at CHOP. I am currently 80% at Sickkids where I do a mix of clinical work with research and education responsibilities and 20% at a community hospital where I see children and adults.  I have developed niches in alopecia, HS, and morphea, and co-lead specialty clinics for these, which have also provided me with clinical context and patients to stimulate research ideas and projects


Megha Tollefson, MD
Mayo Clinic | Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics

Preferred research area(s): Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Birthmarks, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Epidemiology, Industry-Sponsored Research

 

Area(s) of Expertise: 360 leadership, Academic promotion, Developing a niche, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Negotiation/conflict resolution, SMART goal setting, Study design/execution, Work/life balance, Working with industry, Working with patient advocacy

 

City/State/Time Zone: Rochester, MN, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

 


Karina Vivar, MD
Northwestern University | Attending Physician, Associate Clinician

Preferred research area(s): Birthmarks, Drugs & Bugs, Skin of Color & Pigmentary Disorders, Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC)

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Quality Improvement

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Developing a niche, Manuscript peer review, Networking, Work/life balance

 

City/State/Time Zone: Chicago, IL, Central

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow

 

Brief Bio: I am an Associate Clinician at Lurie Children’s in Chicago. I have developed subspecialty expertise in pediatric supportive oncodermatology as well as performing dermatologic surgeries. I look forward to mentoring students and residents interested in pediatric dermatology, as well as fellows and early career investigators interested in incorporating research into their careers.


Joy Wan, MD, MSCE
Johns Hopkins University | Assistant Professor

Preferred research area(s): Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis

 

Preferred type of research: Clinical, Epidemiology

 

Area(s) of Expertise: Developing a niche, Grant writing, Manuscript peer review, Study design/execution, Work/life balance

 

City/State/Time Zone: Baltimore, MD, Eastern

 

Meeting frequency: Quarterly

 

Preferred mentee type: Resident, Clinical Fellow, Early Investigator

 

Brief Bio: I am a pediatric dermatologist and clinician-scientist conducting epidemiologic and patient-oriented research primarily in atopic dermatitis. I am happy to provide mentorship on pursuing research careers in pediatric dermatology, grant and paper writing, building an academic career, and integrating work with family life.


Calling All Mentors!

Interested in becoming a mentor? We’re seeking experienced pediatric dermatology researchers who are ready to share their knowledge, offer guidance, and help shape the next generation of researchers. Click on the link below to complete your mentor profile to become a mentor today!