John T. Seykora, MD, PhD, Professor of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Dr. Seykora is the President of the American Hair Research Society and recently outgoing SecretaryTreasurer. He is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Seykora is an internationally recognized expert in evaluating scalp biopsies for diagnosis of alopecias and has made important advances in our understanding of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). Dr. Seykora developed the HoVert technique for processing scalp biopsies; this approach maximizes the amount of information that can be extracted from a scalp biopsy and is now used internationally. Dr. Seykora’s research in alopecia has also provided important insights regarding the loss of stem cells in scarring alopecias such as CCCA, LPP and Lupus. More recently, Dr. Seykora has shown that CCCA is associated with activation of the JAK-STAT pathway making this pathway a potential therapeutic target. Dr. Seykora has published over 250 manuscripts, chapters and abstracts in peer reviewed journals. Dr. Seykora has multiple patents related to the use of topical kinase inhibitors to treat skin diseases. Dr. Seykora is also Deputy Editor of JID Innovations and Associated Editor of Experimental Dermatology. Currently, Dr. Seykora’ research uses spatial transcriptomics to identify new biomarkers for CCCA.
Paradi Mirmirani, MD, Senior Dermatologist; Interim Medical Director for the Regional Clinical Trials Program; Regional Director for Hair Disorders and Dermatology Research, The Permanente Medical Group, San Francisco, CA, USA
Dr. Mirmirani is a senior dermatologist at The Permanente Medical Group in Northern California where she serves as the interim medical director for the regional clinical trials program as well as the regional director for hair disorders and dermatology research. Dr. Mirmirani also has faculty appointments at theUniversity of California, San Francisco and Case Western Reserve University. Her research has included the initial report of PPAR-Υ receptor loss in lichen planopilaris and the potential use of agonists as a treatment. Dr. Mirmirani has served in various positions for the American Hair Research Society including currently the Secretary-Treasurer, and previously on its Board of Directors, the Development Committee for the 2015 World Congress, the Mentorship Committee, and Chair of the Clinical Subcommittee of the Scientific Planning Committee. She is a recipient of the Department of Veterans Affairs Performance Award and the University of California, San Francisco dermatology Outstanding Clinical Teacher Award. Dr. Mirmirani earned her BS with honors in biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles and her MD from the University of California, San Francisco. She completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Dermatology and a clinical hair research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
Angela M. Christiano, PhD, Professor of Dermatology and Genetics & Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Dr. Christiano is the Richard and Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Medical Center. She is interim Co-Chair of the Department of Dermatology, and Vice Chair for Research. Dr. Christiano is a molecular geneticist recognized for her work in defining the genetic basis of complex dermatologic diseases and conducting functional studies in animal models of these disorders that have led to new treatment approaches. Dr. Christiano’s recent work has focused on the investigation of the underlying genetic causes of and identification of potential therapies for alopecia areata, an autoimmune form of hair loss. Her team has been instrumental in identifying the JAK signaling pathway as a therapeutic target in the treatment of alopecia areata. Dr. Christiano previously served as Deputy Editor of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. She has trained more than 50 postdoctoral researchers and clinical fellows at Columbia University. Dr. Christiano has received numerous awards, including the Montagna Award from the Society for Investigative Dermatology, and the Ebling Award from the European Hair Research Society, and has published more than 350 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She previously served as President of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (2017), where she initiated new programs focused on entrepreneurship, and diversity and inclusion. She is a prolific inventor and serial entrepreneur, having filed numerous patents on her discoveries, and successfully moved technologies from the academic setting into the commercial sector. She was named the inaugural Advisory Dean for Basic Scientist Faculty at Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. In 2020, Dr. Christiano was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Christiano is the Immediate Past-President of the American Hair Research Society.
Maria K. Hordinsky, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Dr. Hordinsky is Vice Chair of Research of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her academic and research interests focus on hair diseases, clinical and translational research. She is a Past-President of the American Hair Research Society, a member of the Board of Directors of the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation and Past Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Under her leadership, the University of Minnesota Department of Dermatology was selected to be one of five sites for the National Institute of Health funded Alopecia Areata Registry, which has since transitioned to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Dr. Hordinsky has served as President of the Association of Professors, was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology and section editor on hair diseases for UpToDate. She has been and continues to be a mentor to many medical and graduate students, residents and faculty who have come to spend time in the Dermatology Department to learn about hair diseases and neurodermatology.
Wilma F. Bergfeld, MD, FACP, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Dr. Bergfeld is an Emeritus Director, Dermatopathology in the Departments of Dermatology and Pathology and Senior Staff Dermatologist, Cleveland Clinic. She also is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Dermatopathology Fellowship. Dr. Bergfeld’s specialty interests include clinical medical dermatology hair disorders, including alopecia areata, androgen excess disorders and dermatopathology. Dr. Bergfeld is a former chair and currently consultant to the FDA Dermatology and Ophthalmology Advisory Committee (1972-current) and a consultant to the Device advisory committee (2009-current). She is the Past-President, American Dermatologic Association, Past-President of the American Hair Research Society (2011-2016), and Director, World Congress of Hair Research (2024 Denver and 2015 Miami), Co-Director, American Hair Research Society Summit 2018, and Past President (2008-09) of the American Society of Dermatopathology, the 1992 President of The American Academy of Dermatology and the Chair (2015-current) of the International Federation of Hair Research Societies.