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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 27, 2017

CONTACT:
Kathleen Reichert
American Skin Association
212-889-4858
kathleen@americanskin.org

American Skin Association (ASA) Honors
Outstanding Researchers During Annual Meeting of
The Society for Investigative Dermatology

April 27, 2017 - Portland, Oregon – David A. Norris, MD, President of ASA, presented the David Martin Carter Mentor Award and the Research Achievement Awards at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology. The award recipients were celebrated at a ceremony hosted by ASA's Medical Advisory Committee at the Oregon Convention Center.

Since 1989 ASA's David Martin Carter Mentor Award has honored members of the dermatology community who embody the characteristics that made the late David Martin Carter, MD, PhD an inspiration to many dermatologists, investigators, colleagues and medical students throughout the world. Dr. Carter and ASA's late founder, Dr. George Hambrick, were dear friends who worked tirelessly to grow ASA into a leading force in the effort to defeat melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases.

This year's David Martin Carter Mentor Award was presented to Dr. Richard Edelson, Chair and Professor, Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine.

For over four decades Dr. Richard Edelson has influenced the field of dermatology as a distinguished dermatologist, researcher, educator and esteemed mentor. He is a notable author and editor, having worked on hundreds of scholarly articles, other writings, and six books. Dr. Edelson is the past president of the Dermatology Foundation, and has held leadership positions with the National Cancer Institute and Association of Professors of Dermatology.

"We were proud to honor Dr. Richard Edelson with the 2017 David Martin Carter Mentor Award," commented Dr. Steven R. Cohen, Chair of the Mentor Award Committee. "A world-renowned dermatologist and researcher, Dr. Edelson is the 25th honoree to receive this prestigious award. He has been a devoted mentor and educator, and is truly laudable in the field of dermatology."

Recent recipients of the David Martin Carter Mentor Award include Dr. Jouni Uitto (2013) of Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Gerald Lazarus (2014) of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Dr. Howard Baden of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2015), and Dr. Barbara A. Gilchrest of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2016).

The Research Achievement Awards were instituted in 1989 to identify established scientists in investigative dermatology and cutaneous biology. This year they recognize those who have greatly advanced work related to autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, vitiligo, and pigment cell disorders.

"This year's Research Achievement Award winners are truly an exceptional group, all of whom have made great strides in their respective fields," said Dr. David Norris. "ASA is proud to celebrate their outstanding achievements."

2017 Research Achievement Award winners:

Research Achievement Award in Vitiligo & Pigment Cell Biology
Zalfa Abdel-Malek, PhD of University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute

Research Achievement Award in Melanoma & Skin Cancer
Ruth Halaban, PhD of Yale School of Medicine

Research Achievement Award in Psoriasis
James G. Krueger, MD, PhD of The Rockefeller University

Research Achievement Award in Public Policy & Medical Education
Henry W. Lim, MD of Henry Ford Health System

Research Achievement Award in Autoimmune & Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Robert E. Tigelaar, MD of Yale School of Medicine

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Skin Association, I would like to commend all of this year’s award recipients," said Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of ASA. "Their work in the field of investigative dermatology is vital to the search for a cure for melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases. We are pleased to support these outstanding researchers."

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, ASA has evolved over thirty years as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, skin cancer, and other skin diseases. Established to serve the now more than 100 million Americans – one third of the U.S. population – afflicted with skin disorders, the organization’s mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health - particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. For more information, visit americanskin.org.