La Roche-Posay names recipients of annual Young Investigator Grant program
La Roche-Posay has opened up applications for its annual Young Investigator Grant program, which encourages dermatological research in the fields of clinical medicine, biology and pharmacology.
The brand, alongside a committee of board-certified dermatologists, awards winners for their research and provides grants to help execute the projects.
Now in its 18th year, La Roche-Posay also is announcing the winners of 2023’s Young Investigator Grant.
Six dermatologists received grants to continue their research in the field of dermatology: Dr. Vinayak Nahar, Dr. Thy Huynh, Dr. Victoria Fang, Dr. Stephanie Schell, Dr. Clinton Enos and Dr. Shiri Nawrocki.
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Dr. Nahar and Dr. Huynh were awarded the first prize of $33,687 for their project aimed at understanding sunscreen use in adolescents and adults.
“We are honored to receive La Roche-Posay’s generous research grant," said Dr. Nahar and Dr. Huynh in a joint statement. "Through this study, our goal is to assess sun exposure and sunscreen use among adolescents and adults in Mississippi, with a particular focus on the factors influencing these behaviors. By identifying these key determinants, we aspire to promote better sun protection practices and contribute to the prevention of skin cancer, a common yet preventable disease. Ultimately, our aim is to improve public health outcomes and raise awareness about the critical importance of sun safety in our communities.”
Dr. Fang received the second grant of $15,000 for her study titled, “Evaluating the role of the Tertiary Lymphoid Structures on inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa.”
“Hidradenitis suppurativa is relatively common skin disease that causes painful purulent abscesses," said Dr. Fang. "With the generous support of La Roche-Posay’s research grant, I am studying the inflammatory cells that cause this disease in patient skin lesions using cutting edge microscopy techniques. My goal is to improve our understanding of this disease to help identify new treatment approaches.”
Dr. Schell received a grant of $13,718 for her study titled, “Characterizing the contribution of IFNɛ to inflammatory disorders of the pilosebacous unit.”
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“It is a great privilege to receive this research grant from La Roche-Posay. There are many underlying mechanisms behind the development and progression of inflammatory skin diseases that remain unknown. Elucidation of these mechanisms will improve therapeutic options for patients. My research aims to better understand how interferons, a class of cellular signaling molecules, alter cellular function to drive Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and acne pathophysiology. The funding provided by La Roche-Posay is essential to advance this project and we are excited to learn more!” said Dr. Schell.
Dr. Enos was granted $10,960 for his study titled, “Surveying viral diversity in the microbiome of human hair follicles from the axilla: a pilot comparison study between healthy controls and those with hidradenitis suppurativa,” and Dr. Nawrocki received $10,000 for her study titled, “Development of Patient-centered education materials for Dermatologic Toxicities of Anticancer Therapies in a Diverse Patient Population.”
“La Roche-Posay is dedicated to supporting life-changing research in the field of dermatology. This year’s innovative and groundbreaking winning research projects will advance dermatology and help improve dermatologic care for all,” said Tyler Steele, vice president of medical relations at L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty Division.
