THE 2025 DERMATOLOGY FOUNDATION-SKIN OF COLOR SOCIETY COLLABORATIVE MID-CAREER AWARD SPONSORED BY SANOFI AND REGENERON IS BESTOWED ON DR. CRYSTAL AGUH

This substantial award will support Dr. Aguh's groundbreaking research into Probing Transcriptomic Impact of Metabolic Interventions in CCCA

CHICAGO, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dermatology Foundation (DF) and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) announce that Crystal U. Aguh, MD, FAAD, is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron.

This significant award has been given to support Dr. Aguh's seminal research into Probing Transcriptomic Impact of Metabolic Interventions in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA).

Dr. Crystal Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr Aguh's area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss, has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has given multiple national and international talks on these topics.  As a result of her work, Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards and grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and the Dermatology Foundation.

This highly competitive award was presented to Dr. Aguh at the 21st Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium and the 61st Annual Meeting of the Dermatology Foundation, which both occurred in conjunction with the recent Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Orlando, Florida in early March 2025.

The Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron was developed especially for the exceptional mid-career investigator with an established trajectory of excellence in basic, clinical, or translational science. This award aims to expand the understanding of dermatological issues impacting underrepresented or underserved groups in medicine.

The DF and SOCS Collaborative selected Dr. Aguh as this year's awardee according to a comprehensive evaluation process based on the National Institutes of Health procedure for research grants.

"We were impressed by the quality and quantity of the applications for the award this year, indicating the value of the ongoing Dermatology Foundation and Skin of Color Society collaboration. Dr. Aguh's application rose to the top, as the joint committee was convinced her work would lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of CCCA, opening the door to better treatments," states Janet A. Fairley, MD, FAAD, DF President.

"We are truly honored to collaborate with the Dermatology Foundation to support outstanding investigators who are committed to studying dermatological diseases that disproportionately impact patients of color. Dr. Aguh has already made significant contributions to the field of alopecia, particularly scarring alopecias such as CCCA. We congratulate Dr. Crystal Aguh on receiving this award and look forward to the outcomes of her research which will undoubtedly advance our knowledge of CCCA and future treatment options," comments Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD, SOCS President (2025-2026).

Dr. Aguh expresses, "I am so grateful to the Skin of Color Society and the Dermatology Foundation for this award. This award will support groundbreaking work to help so many patients suffering from CCCA, a disease which is both emotionally and physically scarring."

Applications for the 2026 Mid-Career Award cycle will open in mid-September 2025. For more information, visit here.

About the Dermatology Foundation 
The purpose of the Dermatology Foundation is simple but powerful. For over sixty years, the Dermatology Foundation has identified and supported the early career work of investigators with great potential. Our research awards have helped launch outstanding research and academic careers and have helped make the practice of dermatology what it is today. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly 2,600 research awards to enable advancements in patient care by providing $88.9M in funding for discovery to talented investigators. The Dermatology Foundation has a proven track record of funding novel ideas and individuals who are dedicated to expanding the understanding of dermatologic conditions and diseases. www.dermatologyfoundation.org

About the Skin of Color Society
The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is the world's leading professional dermatologic organization dedicated to advancing the field of skin of color dermatology. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, SOCS is driven by the mission to achieve health equity and excellence in patient care through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. With members representing more than 21 countries, SOCS membership includes highly skilled mentors across dermatology subspecialties (medical, cosmetic, and surgical), and practice settings (private practice, public service, and academia). The Society has successfully mentored hundreds of medical students, dermatology residents, and fellows and awarded numerous research, fellowship, observership, career development, and innovation grants to early and mid-career dermatologists. www.skinofcolorsociety.org

SOURCE Skin of Color Society