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American Skin Association Unveils 2025 Research Grants for Skin Diseases

On September 3, 2025, the American Skin Association (ASA) proudly announced the recipients of its esteemed annual research grants, recognizing fifteen dedicated researchers committed to advancing skin health. This announcement marks another milestone in ASA's long-standing mission of funding research focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various skin disorders.

Over the past thirty-eight years, ASA has invested over $50 million into research that directly benefits more than 100 million Americans afflicted by skin diseases. The organization aims to enhance existing treatments and promote research efforts toward potential cures for conditions such as melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Among the awarded were four Investigative Scientist Awards, including the prestigious Calder Investigative Award in Vitiligo, which went to Dr. Patrick Brunner from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His project focuses on tape-strip profiling of vitiligo patients—a promising initiative that could pave the way for improved treatment strategies.

Dr. Anna Eisenstein from Yale University received the Sanofi Regeneron Investigative Scientist Award for her research on atopic dermatitis, investigating how skin inflammation influences allergic immune responses. Similarly, the Sun Pharma Investigative Scientist Award was presented twice—once to Dr. Jinwoo Lee of Stanford University and again to Dr. Nicholas Gulati, also from Mount Sinai, for their innovative research tackling autoimmune skin diseases and vitiligo.

Additionally, Dr. Christine Yokoyama from Washington University in St. Louis was awarded the Johnson & Johnson Research Scholar Award in Psoriasis, working on understanding the regulation of epidermal homeostasis, vital for developing new treatment approaches.

The ASA grants are sustainable thanks to the generosity of individual donors, foundations, and corporations invested in publicizing skin health and facilitating cutting-edge research. Each grant fosters the burgeoning careers of both established researchers and emerging scientists while reinforcing ASA's core mission.

ASA's Chairman, Howard P. Milstein, emphasized the critical nature of the annual grant program: “Our commitment to advancing dermatological research is crucial for supporting initiatives aimed at defeating skin cancers, such as melanoma. This research increases the likelihood of discovering urgently needed treatments for millions affected by skin diseases.”

The ASA's Medical Advisory Committee, composed of distinguished scientists and physicians, meticulously oversees the grant review process. With a diverse array of expert volunteers contributing, the committee has successfully supported hundreds of investigators at various career stages.

Dr. James G. Krueger, ASA President and MAC Co-Chair, expressed excitement about the funding opportunities for 2025, honoring those researchers diligently working towards viable treatments for skin diseases. “Our goal is to help realize long-sought cures through significant funding contributions,” he affirmed, acknowledging the vital role of grant funding and research in this ongoing battle.

ASA's commitment extends particularly to medical students, encouraging innovation and the exploration of new pathways in dermatology through specialized grants. The organization recognizes the importance of nurturing young talent, which has shown promising outcomes in the areas of research and clinical care surrounding dermatologic diseases.

Among the diverse projects, medical student grants were awarded for innovative research tackling challenges such as cardiovascular risks in lupus patients and machine learning applications in diagnosing melanoma from non-invasive imaging methods.

As the ASA continues to champion skin health and advance research, it is testament to the powerful collaboration of researchers dedicated to understanding and combating skin diseases. This year's recipients stand on the shoulders of a tradition that champions innovation in skin health research, contributing pivotal insights into prevention, early detection, and effective treatment strategies.

For more information about ASA's mission and ongoing initiatives, visit Americanskin.org.