American Academy of Dermatology Presents Astellas Award to Honor Scientific Research

• Dermatologist James G. Krueger, MD, PhD, FAAD, director of the Milstein Medical Research Program, a senior attending physician, and the D. Martin Carter professor in clinical investigation at The Rockefeller University in New York.
• Dermatologist Thomas S. Kupper, MD, FAAD, the Thomas B. Fitzpatrick professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, the director of the Harvard Skin Disease Research Center and chairman of the department of dermatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and chairman of the department of dermatology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, all located in Boston.
• Dermatologist Arthur J. Sober, MD, FAAD, professor of dermatology, Harvard Medical School and director of the Melanoma Center/Pigmented Lesion Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

The three $30,000 research awards are made possible through the support of the Astellas USA Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide long-term support for the advancement of medical and related sciences, and awarded by an Academy selection panel.

The award to Dr. Krueger was in recognition of his research that focuses on immunodermatology. He was recognized specifically for increasing the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of psoriasis, in the hopes that this information will result in new treatments. His team developed the first molecular maps of psoriasis showing immune involvement of cytokines, as well as several proof-of-concept clinical trials related to psoriasis. The end result of these efforts is to provide better understanding of skin diseases and safer treatments.

Dr. Kupper was recognized for his research on skin and the immune system, as well as the biology and treatment of skin cancers. His early contributions include the discovery and description of keratinocyte cytokines and their role in innate immune responses. More recently he has studied skin homing T-cells, the mechanisms of how and why they traffic to skin, and the discovery that the majority of these cells reside in skin. He also is the principal investigator for one of only five Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants in skin cancer from the National Cancer Institute, studying translational research in melanoma and cutaneous lymphomas.

Dr. Sober received the award for his research in cutaneous malignant melanoma. His research has been instrumental in defining the natural history, developmental biology, early recognition and prognostic factors for this disease and his work has clarified which surgical approaches should be used. Dr. Sober also established the link between melanoma risk and patterns of photo exposure. He characterized specific features such as change in size and color of lesions to facilitate early diagnosis. His work has had a profound impact on the way people monitor their skin for changes, as well as on the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.