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 450 clinician researchers representing more than 150 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 and Vision

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.

Board of Directors

Anna Bruckner, MD

President
Executive Committee

University of Colorado

Keith Choate, MD, PhD

President-Elect
Executive Committee

Yale School of Medicine

Leslie Lawley, MD

Treasurer
Executive Committee

Emory University

Lisa Arkin, MD

Chair, Meetings Committee
Executive Committee

University of Wisconsin

Carrie Coughlin, MD

Chair, Outcomes Committee

Washington University

Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD

Chair, Early Investigator Committee
Executive Committee

Harvard Medical School

Raegan Hunt, MD, PhD

Chair, Grants Committee

Baylor College of Medicine

Francesca Tenconi, MBA

Chair, Patient Advisory Committee

Children’s Skin Disease Foundation

Andrea Zaenglein, MD

Chair, Studies Committee
Executive Committee

Penn State Health

Updated November 7, 2022

Ilona Frieden, MD

Immediate Past President
Executive Committee

University of California, San Francisco

Yvonne Chiu, MD

Member at Large
Executive Committee

Medical College of Wisconsin

Esteban Fernandez Faith, MD

Vice Chair, Meetings Committee
Executive Committee

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Jen Huang, MD

Chair, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
Executive Committee

Harvard Medical School

Jeffrey Sugarman, MD, PhD

Chair, Nominating Committee

University of California, San Francisco

Megha Tollefson, MD

Member at Large
Executive Committee

Mayo Clinic

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 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

Communications Manager

Caitlin Haskell 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.

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 the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.

David Roberts

Development Director

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.

Katherine Devenport

Research Coordinator

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.

Heather Miller

Events and Membership Manager

Heather Miller brings more than 20 years of event planning experience for nonprofit organizations to her role in planning the PeDRA Annual Conference. She also manages PeDRA’s growing membership program ensuring members are connected to resources within PeDRA.

Morgan Dykman

PeDRA Fellow

Morgan Dykman is a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota. She brings experience with the Dermasphere Podcast and PeDRA’s Down Syndrome subgroup to her role at PeDRA where she provides support to the Board of Directors, membership, Annual Conference, and consensus guidelines activities.

Learn more about our past PeDRA Fellows.