Research Award Program
Enhancing Diversity in Dermatology
The Dermatology Foundation is pleased to once again offer an award developed to enhance diversity in the field of dermatology and the specialty’s academic workforce — the Diversity Research Supplement Award (DRSA). The DRSA is available to recent recipients of DF awards to supplement their current efforts on existing research projects. Each award is to be used to support the in-depth participation of a medical student — belonging to one or more groups considered to be underrepresented in biomedical research — in the completion of a defined full-time research plan. The medical student’s participation may span 6 to 12 weeks.
Interested Medical Students Can Take the First Step
2025 Opportunity List Now Available
The DRSA supports a partnership between a former DF award recipient and an eligible medical student. Medical students can take the first step by contacting an investigator on the Opportunity List.
The individuals on the Opportunity List are former DF award recipients and current dermatology faculty members who have provided a 6-12-week research opportunity.
Medical students may contact dfrap@dermatologyfoundation.org for the email addresses for these individuals. Please note, eligible former DF awardees may apply for the DRSA regardless of whether they provided a project for this list.
What is the Diversity Research Supplement Award?
The Diversity Research Supplement Award provides $5,000 for direct expenses associated with the participation of an eligible medical student in a research project. Expenses may include but are not limited to travel, lodging, and a salary stipend for the student. Award funds may not be used for indirect expenses and are payable to the applicant’s institution.
Award payments will be made in two installments.
- An initial payment of $4,000 is made to the recipient’s institution at the start of the award period.
- The remaining $1,000 is payable upon receipt of the medical student’s summary of their research experience following the end of the award period, and the institution’s financial reconciliation.
Am I eligible?
If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for the DRSA.
a. The Diversity Research Supplement Award is available to a current or former DF career development awardee who meets the following two requirements:
• Is a current career development awardee OR is the recipient of a year 1 career development award that was awarded from 2013 to 2024,
AND
• Is a faculty member in a department of dermatology that is ACGME-approved for residency training.
b. Applicants are responsible for recruiting an interested medical student who meets all the following eligibility requirements:
• Is a full-time student belonging to one or more groups considered to be underrepresented in biomedical research including, but not limited to:
-
- • Specific racial or ethnic minority groups
- • Sexual or gender minority groups
- • Other disadvantaged group
Please see our DRSA Applicant Instructions below for detailed information regarding the definition of underrepresented groups and medical student eligibility.
• Is pursuing an MD or DO degree at an accredited U.S. medical/osteopathic school.
• Is in good standing at their academic institution.
• Will be able to complete the research plan PRIOR to graduation.
How do I apply for a Diversity Research Supplement Award?
The project mentor should apply for a Diversity Research Supplement Award and is responsible for recruiting an eligible medical student. The Applicant Instructions will help guide the process. Applications are now accepted twice a year – May 1 and November 1. All applications must be submitted via the DF’s DRSA application portal. Updated application instructions will be provided in the weeks ahead.
Application Deadline: May 1 (Spring) and November 1 (Fall)
Award Recipients | Diversity Research Supplement Award
Tina Bhutani, MD, MAS
University of California, San Francisco
DREAMS-PSO: Dermatologic Research Evaluation and Monitoring of Sleep in Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis
Aileen Chang, MD
University of California, San Francisco
Association between Homelessness and Dermatology-Related Hospital Utilization
Steven T. Chen, MD, MPH, MS-HPEd
Harvard University - Massachusetts General Hospital
Evaluation of the two-hit mechanism hypothesis in checkpoint inhibitor associated immune related adv
Shadmehr Demehri, MD, PhD
Harvard University - Massachusetts General Hospital
Mechanism of Calcipotriol plus 5-Fluorouracil Immunotherapy for Actinic Keratosis
Sherrie J. Divito, MD, PhD
Harvard University Bringham and Womens hospital
To interrogate clonal repertoire in delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reactions
Brittany L. Dulmage, MD
Ohio State University Medical Center
Prospective Study of Scalp Cooling, Alopecia, and Disparities in Breast Cancer Patients
Marlys S. Fassett, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Characterization of IL-31+ cells in psoriasis
Galen T. Foulke, MD
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Med Center
Closing Practice Gaps in Dermatomyositis Malignancy Screening
Esther E. Freeman, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Skin Scarring from Mpox(monkeypox) Infection and Mpox Vaccination
Benjamin H. Kaffenberger, MD
Ohio State University Medical Center
The Impact Drug Eruptions on Hospitalization Courses for Sepsis, Osteomyelitis, and Cancer
Indermeet Kohli, PhD
Henry Ford Medical Center
Optimizing Phototesting and Investigating Photobiology of Visible Light
Aaron Mangold, MD
Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale
Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome in Hispanic Population: A Matched Case-Control Study
Robert G. Micheletti, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Factors associated with readmission after hospitalization for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Jillian M. Richmond, PhD
University of Massachusetts
Examining gene expression in canine and human erythema multiforme
Jillian M. Richmond, PhD
University of Massachusetts
Examining S100 gene and protein expression in canine and human discoid lupus erythematosus
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Identifying health disparities among National Psoriasis Foundation patient members.
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
Barriers to racial/ethnic minority adult participation in clinical research studies for psoriasis.
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
The Ethics of Methods to Increase Participant Diversity Among Dermatologic Clinical Trials
Joy Wan, MD, MSCE
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Drivers of Adverse Psychosocial Outcomes Among Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Sarah Whitley, MD, PhD
University of Massachusetts
Characterization of neuroimmune interactions in hidradenitis suppurativa
JiaDe Yu, MD
Harvard University - Massachusetts General Hospital
Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Contact Dermatitis in Blacks
Xiaolong Zhou, MD, MSc
Northwestern University
Characterization of racial differences in the CTCL skin microbiome
Questions?
Should you have any questions regarding the Diversity Research Supplement Award, please contact the Dermatology Foundation staff at dfrap@dermatologyfoundation.org or 847-328-2256.