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NEW YORK— La Roche-Posay, a trusted source for skincare worldwide, is committed to supporting researchers who represent the future of dermatology. Established in 2005, the annual La Roche-Posay Young Investigator Grant program encourages dermatological research in the fields of clinical medicine, biology, and pharmacology that improve the quality of life for patients. The brand and a committee of board-certified dermatologists award winners for their research and provide grants to execute their ground-breaking projects.
Now in its 18th year, La Roche-Posay is pleased to announce the winners of its 2023 Young Investigator Grant. La Roche-Posay and the committee, comprised of dermatologists Dr. Adam Friedman, Dr. Ginette Okoye, Dr. Jeannette Jankus, Dr. Holly Kanavy, and Dr. Joseph Jorizzo, deemed five outstanding projects as winners. Six dermatologists including Dr. Vinayak Nahar and Dr. Thy Huynh, Dr. Victoria Fang, Dr. Stephanie Schell, Dr. Clinton Enos, and Dr. Shiri Nawrocki received grants to continue their research in the field of dermatology.
First, 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. 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,” says Dr. Nahar and Dr. Huynh.
Next, 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.” Dr. Fang shares, “Hidradenitis suppurativa is relatively common skin disease that causes painful purulent abscesses. 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.” Dr. Schell says, "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!"
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.”
This year, the brand awarded its largest grant amount in the history of the La Roche-Posay Young Investigator Grant program. Tyler Steele, Vice President of Medical Relations at L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty Division, shares, “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.” The winners were awarded at the Annual American Academy of Dermatology Meeting held this past March in San Diego, California.
La Roche-Posay is now accepting submissions for their 2024 program. Grants of up to $35,000 will be awarded to promising projects in the field of clinical, biological or pharmacological research linked to dermatology. This competitive program is open to Healthcare Providers in the United States.
To be considered, please submit your application including the following:
- Research plan (8 pages maximum)
- Abstract (1 page)
- Budget
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the applicant (be sure to include mailing and email addresses)
- A letter of support from mentor or chief of dermatology
Interested applicants must submit grant proposals at: https://www.lorealdermatologicalbeauty.us/lrp/grantproposal by November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced by December 15, 2024.
