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.
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.
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
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
Updated November 7, 2022
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
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. Learn more about Caitlin.
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.
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
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.
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 fourth-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 Morgan.
Learn more about our past PeDRA Fellows.