PeDRA

Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance

About

To address the devastating burden of pediatric skin diseases, and overcome challenges facing clinician scientists in the field, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) has created an infrastructure for efficient, collaborative research.  PeDRA was formed in 2012 by leaders from the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) with the goal of bringing together pediatric dermatologists from across North America to collaborate on research that would never be accomplished on a meaningful timescale were any investigator to take it on alone.  In this way, PeDRA is generating meaningful data to support health care decisions and improve the lives of patients and their families, while building a community of linked and research-ready clinician scientists in the field of pediatric dermatology.

PeDRA is a collaborative research network, providing a platform from which pediatric dermatologists organize studies and collaborate, while also supporting individuals embarking on early-stage research that may or may not benefit from collaboration in future. Pooling resources and linking investigators together multiplies the power of each individual clinician scientist many-fold. With more than 600 members representing more than 180 institutions, PeDRA is accelerating research and bringing us closer to new treatment opportunities for children and families living with dermatologic conditions and diseases.

PeDRA is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in close collaboration with, and serves as the research arm of, the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD). PeDRA is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all facets of its organization, programs, committees, leadership, and research studies.

Birth of the PeDRA Acronym. A group of founding members devised the name for PeDRA at the 2010 SPD Annual Meeting in Portland, OR. As a fitting premonition for the research foundation that leaders would go on to build, PeDRA also means “rock” in Portuguese. From left: Wynnis Tom, MD; Jeff Sugarman, MD, PhD; Amy Paller, MD; Kelly Cordoro, MD. Photo credit: Raegan Hunt, MD, PhD

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

The PeDRA Mission

Create, inspire, and sustain research to prevent, treat, and cure childhood skin disease.

The PeDRA Vision

Changing lives and healing children with skin disease through collaboration and discovery.

The PeDRA Core Values

The Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance is committed to:

  • Integrity with a promise to be respectful, transparent, and kind.
  • Sustainable collaboration that drives impactful research.
  • A culture of mentorship that nurtures and supports a healthy future for our field.
  • Curiosity as a driving force for our science and careers.
  • A spirit of innovation and discovery that bolsters creative research and tangible outcomes.
  • Striving for equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion in our research, organization, and community.
  • Being steadfastly patient focused in all that we do.

PeDRA has received a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.

Board of Directors

Keith Choate, MD, PhD

President
Executive Committee

Yale School of Medicine

    Leslie Lawley, MD

    Treasurer
    Executive Committee

    Emory University

      Megha Tollefson, MD

      President-Elect
      Executive Committee

      Mayo Clinic

        Anna Bruckner, MD

        Immediate Past President
        Executive Committee

        University of Colorado

          Heather Brandling-Bennett, MD

          Member-at-Large
          Executive Committee

          University of Washington School of Medicine

            Colleen Cotton, MD

            EI Committee Chair
            Executive Committee

            Children’s National Hospital

              Jen Huang, MD

              Chair, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
              Executive Committee

              Harvard Medical School

                Meredith Weiss

                Chair, Patient Advisory Committee

                Gorlin Syndrome Alliance

                  Jeff Yu, MD

                  Chair, Meetings Committee
                  Executive Committee

                  Massachusetts General Hospital

                    Yvonne Chiu, MD

                    Member-at-Large
                    Executive Committee

                    Medical College of Wisconsin

                      Carrie Coughlin, MD

                      Chair, Outcomes Committee

                      Washington University

                        Raegan Hunt, MD, PhD

                        Chair, Grants Committee

                        Baylor College of Medicine

                          Jeffrey Sugarman, MD, PhD

                          Chair, Nominating Committee

                          University of California, San Francisco

                            Lara Wine Lee, MD, PhD

                            Vice Chair, Meetings Committee
                            Executive Committee

                            Medical University of South Carolina

                              Andrea Zaenglein, MD

                              Chair, Studies Committee
                              Executive Committee

                              Penn State Health

                                Updated October 29, 2024

                                Interested in getting involved on a PeDRA Committee or as part of PeDRA’s Leadership?  Become a member and then let us know how you want to be involved!

                                Meet the PeDRA Team

                                PeDRA is supported by a small group of staff who each play a unique role in supporting the organization, its programs, and its research activities.

                                Mike Siegel, PhD

                                Executive Director

                                Mike Siegel joined PeDRA in 2018 following four years in nonprofit leadership and almost ten years in academic research and teaching. He seeks to strengthen PeDRA as an organization that brightens the future of children with skin disease and their families.

                                Jenn Dawson

                                Associate Director of Educational Programs

                                Jenn Dawson brings more than 15 years of mission-based nonprofit experience to her role overseeing PeDRA’s education and podcast activities. Jenn specializes in program development and works closely with key stakeholders to make sure the educational needs of members are being met.

                                Caitlin Haskell

                                Associate Director of Communications

                                Caitlin brings more than ten years of experience in strategic communications, events, and academic recruiting to her role at PeDRA. Caitlin is responsible for engaging the PeDRA community through all modes of communication.

                                Amy Buros Stein, PhD

                                PeDRA Biostatistician

                                Amy Buros Stein is an expert in a variety of advanced statistical analyses and has contributed to more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in clinical, epidemiological, and basic science research. Dr. Stein provides centralized statistical support to PeDRA Members working on PeDRA Studies. Learn more about Amy.

                                Maggie Mangold, MD

                                Registry Coordinator

                                Maggie is a Family Physician whose personal and professional life led her to develop a passion for pediatric dermatologic research. She is harnessing her passion and skills in support of PeDRA’s efforts to centralize data collection.

                                David Roberts

                                Associate Director of Strategic Alliances

                                David joined PeDRA in 2019 following more than 15 years of nonprofit development and fundraising experience.  David’s experience and commitment to serving children in need will help PeDRA with the growing field of pediatric dermatology. Learn more about David.

                                Katherine Devenport

                                Research Programs Manager

                                Katherine Devenport brings with her five years of experience as a clinical research coordinator for the Medical College of Wisconsin. Katherine’s knowledge and attention to detail help in her role supporting PeDRA’s studies and grants programs. Learn more about Katherine.

                                Mika Dalton

                                Executive Assistant

                                Mika brings over 11 years of program management and
                                operations experience, driving successful healthcare initiatives. She supports the Executive Director, volunteer leadership, and membership administration while coordinating cross-departmental projects. She is dedicated to fostering collaboration and empowering stakeholders to achieve PeDRA’s goals.

                                Hannah Chang

                                PeDRA Fellow

                                Hannah Chang is a third-year medical student at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She has a background in economics and over four years of experience in pediatric dermatology research, particularly in atopic dermatitis. At PeDRA, Hannah provides support for educational programs, the Board of Directors, and Annual Conference.

                                Learn more about Hannah.

                                Learn more about our past PeDRA Fellows.

                                Eunice Bolay

                                Intern

                                Eunice Bolay is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry at Georgia State University. She has over 3 years of experience working with underrepresented communities and nonprofit organizations and will be supporting membership and the PeDRA Annual Conference.