La Roche-Posay Awards Two Researchers

At its seventh annual North American Foundation Research Awards, La Roche-Posay honored winners Sarina B. Elmariah, MD, PhD and Marie S. Tuttle, MD. Both researchers received a $10,000 grant to continue dermatological research and were honored at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Dr. Elmariah, from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, was awarded for her project, “The Role of Proteases and Neurogenic Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis.” Dr. Elmariah plans to address whether preventing neural activation during early stages of skin inflammation will reduce the severity and potentially prevent the spread and/or recurrence of atopic disease. Marie S. Tuttle, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, was honored for her project, “Longitudinal Microbiome Shifts May Affect Innate Immune Responses in Delayed Wound Healing.” Dr. Tuttle will continue her work to better understand the role of microbial colonization in triggering inflammation and delayed healing in chronic wounds. Each research abstract submitted was evaluated by members of the La Roche-Posay North American Scientific Committee comprised of academic leaders, and the winners were chosen from 17 submissions. For 2013, abstracts are due by December 1, 2012. Proposals should include a one-page abstract, research plan, and budget totaling no more than 10 pages, a curriculum vitae from each applicant, and a letter of support from a mentor or chief of dermatology. Research by dermatology residents, fellows, and new dermatologists in practice for up to two years is welcome. Please contact Gene Colón at gcolon@us.loreal.com for more information.