PeDRA Pearls

Reid Oldenburg, MD, PhD, joins host Jenn Dawson to discuss his journey as a clinician-scientist and his leadership of PeDRA’s Drugs and Bugs Focused Study Group. He shares how early global infectious-disease research shaped his path to dermatology, highlights ongoing projects—from genetic studies to patient-centered resources — and reflects on how collaboration and precision medicine are shaping the future of care.

Drugs & Bugs Focused Study Group

Jenn Dawson and Caitlin Haskell discuss a host of upcoming PeDRA deadlines and opportunities. Here are links to all the items referenced in the episode.

1. PeDRA funding opportunities
2. PeDRA Fellow Application
3. PeDRA Membership Renewal and Survey
4. Nominations for the PeDRA awards program
5. Educational catalog
6. PeDRA events page
7. PeDRA at SID
8. 14th PeDRA Annual Conference
9. PeDRA Merch shop

Join PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang for a roundtable discussion with special guests Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta. Together, they discuss a recent publication titled “Impact of Persistent Alopecia on Quality of Life in Childhood Cancer and Transplant Survivors.” This article was published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer in 2025.

This episode breaks down the foundations of academic clinical research, from how studies are conceived and funded to how protocols ensure rigor, consistency, and patient safety. Listeners learn about the roles of sponsors, CROs, IRBs, and research teams, as well as the advantages and challenges of conducting trials in academic settings.

This independent medical education program is supported by Incyte.

Please click here for a complete list of disclosures.

Episode 2 explores how private‑practice and industry‑run clinical trials bring efficiency, flexibility, and broader patient access to the research landscape. Our guests discuss the financial and scientific motivations behind industry partnerships, the strengths and trade‑offs of private sites, and how these settings support large, fast‑moving studies. Rare‑disease trials, PK designs, and investigator‑initiated research are highlighted as key collaborative touchpoints.

This independent medical education program is supported by Incyte.

Please click here for a complete list of disclosures.

In this final episode, we examine how academia and industry work together to advance research and improve patient outcomes. The conversation highlights real‑world examples of shared data, translational science partnerships, diagnostic insights, and coordinated patient care. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how combined expertise strengthens clinical trials and expands access to innovative therapies.

This independent medical education program is supported by Incyte.

Click here for a complete list of disclosures.

PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang hosts a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta about a recent publication titled: Photo Protection in Skin of Color: A Scoping Review of Barriers, Behaviors, and Pediatric Considerations. This article was published in Pediatric Dermatology in September 2025.

Tell us about you by taking this 1-question survey!

PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang hosts a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jillian Rork and Dr. Deepti Gupta about a recent publication titled: Prevalence and Demographics of Psoriasis in the Down Syndrome Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the Epic Cosmos Dataset. This article was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in September 2025.

Tell us about you by taking this 1-question survey!

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, we’re joined by Meredith Weiss, Executive Director of the Gorlin Syndrome Alliance (GSA), to explore the intersection of patient advocacy, education, and research. Meredith shares her personal journey into rare disease advocacy and discusses how the GSA supports patients through community-building, clinician-led education, and a growing commitment to funding research–particularly in dermatology. Together, we highlight the critical role patient advocacy organizations play in improving quality of life and advancing meaningful, patient-centered research.

Gorlin Syndrome Alliance RFA

Tell us about yourself!

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang speaks with Dr. Milie Fang, a pediatric dermatology fellow at Seattle Children’s Hospital, about her journey into pediatric dermatology. Dr. Fang reflects on how her personal experience with eczema sparked her interest in the field, her evolving research focus, and the mentorship and community she’s found through PeDRA. They also discuss navigating imposter syndrome, building a career in academic medicine, and her hopes for the future of pediatric dermatology.

Tell us about you!