The IPC International Fellowship Program is an IPC initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of psoriasis leaders. The fellowship program matches early-career dermatologists with IPC Councilors, providing an in-clinic shadowing opportunity up to one month, and a year-long mentorship. Our 2018 Fellows were active participants in IPC programs with the world’s key opinion leaders, gaining exposure to clinical, research and educational skills that will further their careers as psoriasis leaders. IPC's 2018 International Fellows were chosen from a highly qualified international field of young dermatologists and represent the future of psoriasis leadership and the organization’s commitment to growing expertise in the field.
Dr. Armijo is a third-year dermatology resident in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Chile. She is the author of four international publications and has presented cases at La Reunión Anual de Dermatólogos Latinoamericanos (RADLA). Dr. Armijo holds a special interest in combining clinical practice and laboratory research and in the integral management of psoriasis. Dr. Armijo came highly recommended by IPC Board Member Ricardo Romiti, and councilor Fernando Valenzuela.
As a 2018 Fellow, she studied with Prof. Christopher Griffiths, OBE, MD, FRCP, at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and attended the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Paris. During her stay in Manchester she attended the psoriasis clinic, the biologic therapies nurse’s clinic and the psoriasis arthritis clinic. She also spent time in the clinical trials unit learning about the basic science research projects that are being carried out at the University of Manchester. Dr. Armijo has special interests in epidemiology and burden of psoriasis, so was able to meet the BADBir team, and got the chance to get involved with the Global Psoriasis Atlas.
Dr. Chen is a dermatologic fellow at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She completed her PhD in Dermatology from Zhejiang University and her residency at the same institution. Dr. Chen is published as lead author on three peer-reviewed manuscripts. She has focused her dermatology education investigating the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Dr. Chen works under and was recommended by IPC Councilor Min Zheng.
As a 2018 Fellow, she studied with Dr. Curdin Conrad, MD, at the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland and attended the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Paris. During her time in Lausanne she had the opportunity to observe Dr. Conrad and his team’s ongoing research in psoriatic mice models and research techniques; paradoxical psoriasis; and the study of psoriatic patients’ PBMCs. Additionally, she participated in Dr. Conrad’s psoriasis clinic, including learning about choosing the specific antibody base on the level of cytokines.
Dr. Rob has recently completed his PhD in Biomedicine from Charles University in Prague, where he is currently a lecturer on the medical faculty. He is a physician in dermatovenereology at Na Bulovce Hospital. Dr. Rob is published as lead author on 7 manuscripts and is leading research related to HPV and psoriasis as well as skin microbiota changes in psoriasis patients on biologics. He works under and is highly recommended by Prof. Jana Hercogová, MD, PhD, MHA, Chairwoman of the Department of Dermatovenereology at Charles University, Prague.
As a 2018 Fellow, he studied with Dr. Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE at the University of Pennsylvania and attended the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Paris. While in Philadelphia, he shadowed Prof. Gelfand in his outpatient clinic for patients with psoriasis, attended his research team meetings and other events organized by the department. He was exposed to research in cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriasis and their management, advanced phototherapy and pragmatic clinical trials in psoriasis.