Sara Abdel Azim, MD
Mentor:
Maryanne Senna, MD Harvard Medical School
Mentor Title:
Scarring Alopecia's and Associated Comorbidities
I was grateful to receive the American Hair Research Society Mentorship Grant under the guidance of Dr. Maryanne Senna at the Lahey Hair Loss Center of Excellence, which provided an invaluable opportunity to deepen my knowledge in hair loss disorders. Working closely with her, I gained hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of hair loss conditions, including some I had not encountered before, such as pityriasis amiantacea and alopecia incognita. I learned about both medical management and essential lifestyle modifications that can improve patient outcomes, and I also had the chance to observe her technique for platelet-rich plasma therapy.
Dr. Senna has been an incredibly supportive mentor, fostering my passions within dermatology and playing a key role in my growth. She took the time to understand my specific interests in hair loss and guided me in developing a project on the comorbidities associated with folliculitis decalvans, addressing an unmet need within the field. Her clinic provided a welcoming and educationally rich environment, where I was able to engage in meaningful learning experiences. The time I spent with her was instrumental in reaffirming my interests in hair loss disorders and shaping my vision for the future. I hope to carry forward her legacy of clinical expertise, research advancements in hair loss, and dedication to mentorship.
Thank you for this incredible experience!
Kimberly Arrington, MD
Mentor:
Dr. Amy McMichael, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Mentor Title:
Scarring alopecia in patients with skin of color
I was fortunate to receive a 2023 American Hair Research Society Mentorship Grant. This award allowed me to spend 2 weeks within the department of dermatology at Wake Forest with Dr. Amy McMichael. My goal for the rotation was to see a large volume of alopecia cases in succession, honing my diagnostic and management skills. I thoroughly enjoyed my elective rotation in August of 2024. First and foremost, I enjoyed the fellowship and collaboration with medical students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff. In addition to the collaborative work environment, I enjoyed the variety of cases we saw together—the patients were diverse with regard to their presentations and also with regard to their skin types.
This experience solidified my desire to treat hair loss patients and aid them on their journey to achieve a better quality of life. There were tears during this elective but there were many more celebrations of joy and expressions of gratitude. This was a career altering experience and I’m so thankful for Dr. McMichael’s mentorship.
Louise M. P. Chateaubriand Campos, MD
Mentor:
Dr. Antonella Tosti, University of Miami
Mentorship Title:
Trichoscopic findings and symptoms reported in Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution (FAPD)
This year I had an incredible experience through the American Hair Research Society Mentorship Program with Dr. Antonella Tosti at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Over the course of four weeks, I’ve observed a variety of cases involving hair diseases, I’ve learned about challenging diagnoses, and how trichoscopy can aid in reaching accurate conclusions. I also had the unique opportunity to analyze and learned trichoscopic findings of Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribuition (FAPD) alongside Dr. Antonella Tosti.
Beyond all the technical knowledge I gained, it was enriching to be in another country, at the University of Miami, interacting with residents, dermatologists from different places, and medical students involved in research programs. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, which words alone cannot fully express. Professor Dr. Antonella Tosti is truly the best. I also learned a lot through the way she guides patients, in addition to her passion for science.
Today, I feel much more prepared to diagnose and treat hair disorders, and I am motivated to pursue new research and publications in this area.
Thank you to the American Hair Research Society for this invaluable experience!
Lucy Rose, MA
Mentors:
Maria Hordinsky, MD, University of Minnesota, Department of Dermatology
Kimberly Salkey, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University
Mentorship Title:
Improving dermatologic support for cancer treatment-induced alopecia
Having the opportunity to work with Drs. Hordinsky and Salkey has helped shape the future dermatologist that I hope to be. I plan to someday be a physician-scientist at an academic institution who continues studying hair loss while caring for those who are affected. Through their mentorship, I have gained experience both in listening to patient stories in order to guide larger-scale projects and in coordinating studies across multiple institutitions. This mentorship fellowship has been pivotal to my career development and has ignited my desire to serve as a mentor to others during every stage in my career.
Raymond Ezzat, B.S.
Mentor:
Maryanne Senna, MD Harvard Medical School
Mentorship Title:
Psychosocial Impacts of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) in Men
I had an incredible experience during the hair research mentorship program with Dr. Senna. I had the opportunity to see a wide variety of hair and scalp disorders, ranging from alopecia areata to more complex conditions like Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) and Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). Observing such a diverse spectrum of cases allowed me to deepen my understanding of hair pathology and the clinical presentations associated with each condition.
I also had the opportunity to see several ongoing clinical trials, where I gained valuable experience in understanding the design and implementation of research protocols. Through these experiences, I learned how to monitor patient progress and assess the effectiveness of new therapeutic options.
This mentorship has been an invaluable opportunity to not only expand my knowledge of hair pathology but also to learn about research aimed at improving patient care. Dr. Senna’s expertise and guidance have significantly shaped my understanding of the field, and I’m excited to carry forward what I’ve learned into future endeavors.
Thank you for this incredible opportunity!
