Conference Description
The Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The Gordon Research Conference on Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin for over 30 years remains to be the premiere scientific meeting that successfully integrates multiple disciplines and topics focusing on understanding the mechanisms of mammalian skin barrier and its maintenance in health and disease. The function of mammalian skin barrier is to provide the interface with the external environment and protects the body from dehydration. As such, its function and maintenance is evolutionary conserved and is guarded by plethora of specific mechanisms. In addition to these biophysical, biochemical and molecular characteristics skin barrier remains to be the target for topical drug delivery, which altogether brings unique blend of diverse researchers. The success of the meeting derives from diversity in topics, gender and commitment to promote scientists in the early stage of their careers.
The overarching theme of the 2023 GRC is “Towards an Intelligent and personalized skin barrier: translation of cell and biology, bioengineering and physical chemistry” that will bring together young investigators as well as prominent leaders to present latest developments in cell biology and pathology, microbiology, bioengineering, biophysics, physical chemistry, and drug delivery focusing on utilizing precision medicine approaches to personalize clinical care. Furthermore, to assure latest breaking scientific updates speakers will be also selected from submitted abstracts to give short talks. In addition to providing insights into the forefront and innovative research developments this Conference will provide many opportunities for formal and informal discussions that includes very dynamic poster sessions throughout the meeting. Moreover, the goal is also to stimulate discussions regarding new frontiers and future big questions and challenges as well as approaches to tackle them. To promote discussions and diversify of speakers and topics, part of the program will be dedicated to young investigators selected from submitted abstracts in each of the main sessions. We will hold a power hour to facilitate important discussions regarding various aspects of “discrimination in science” including promotion of racial/ethnic diversity by bringing together scientists from the diverse community of researchers working on the epidermal barrier.
The topics, speakers, and discussion leaders for the conference sessions are displayed below. The conference chair is currently developing their detailed program, which will include the complete meeting schedule, as well as the talk titles for all speakers. The detailed program will be available by April 8, 2023. Please check back for updates.
Keynote Session: The Effects of Aging and Environment on the Skin Barrier.
Discussion Leaders
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Theodora Mauro (University of California, San Francisco, United States)
Speakers
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Anna Celli (University of California, San Francisco, United States)
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Elena Goleva (National Jewish Health, United States)
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Elizabeth Kovacs (University of Colorado Denver, United States)
Skin Colonizers: Making or Breaking the Barrier
Discussion Leaders
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Lindsay Kalan (McMaster University, Canada)
Speakers
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Elizabeth Grice (University of Pennsylvania, United States)
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Heidi Kong (NIAMS/NIH, United States)
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Irena Pastar (University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States)
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Stuart Jones (King's College London, United Kingdom)
Inflammation in Barrier Function and Dysfunction
Discussion Leaders
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Johann Gudjonsson (University of Michigan, United States)
Speakers
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Shruti Naik (NYU School of Medicine, United States)
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Luisa DiPietro (University of Illinois Chicago, United States)
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Maria Morasso (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, United States)
Optimizing Dermatological Therapies
Discussion Leaders
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David Moore (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Speakers
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Rosalind Hannen (Keratify, Ltd./Queen Mary University London, United Kingdom)
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Jon Lenn (MedPharm, United States)
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Audra Stinchcomb (University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States)
Big Data to Knowledge: Models, Diagnostics and Therapies
Discussion Leaders
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Nicole Brogden (University of Iowa, United States)
Speakers
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Cristina Strong (Henry Ford Health/Michigan State University, United States)
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Tesfaye Mersha (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, United States)
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Florian Gruber (Medical University of Vienna /CDL SKINMAGINE, Austria)
Predicting Permeation Through the Skin Barrier: Chemical Exposure and Risk Assessment
Discussion Leaders
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Annette Bunge (Colorado School of MInes, United States)
Speakers
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John Troutman (Procter & Gamble, United States)
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Peter Olmsted (Georgetown University, United States)
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John Kissel (University of Washington, United States)
Applied Knowledge of Skin Barrier: From Discovery to Recovery
Discussion Leaders
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Anna De Benedetto (University of Rochester Medical Center, United States)
Speakers
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Marianne Lind (LEO Pharma, Denmark)
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Chandan K Sen (Indiana University School of Medicine, United States)
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Dan Kaplan (University of Pittsburgh, United States)
Imaging the Skin Barrier: Seeing the Previously Unseen
Discussion Leaders
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Richard Guy (University of Bath, United Kingdom)
Speakers
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Sebastien Gregoire (L'Oréal R&I, France)
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Conor Evans (Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, United States)
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Maxim Darvin (Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany)
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Natalie Belsey (National Physical Laboratory, United Kingdom)
The "Next Big Question” on the Skin Barrier
Discussion Leaders
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Pankaj Karande (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, United States)
Speakers
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Johann Gudjonsson (University of Michigan, United States)
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Amanda MacLeod (Janssen R&D, Johnson and Johnson, United States)
The GRC Power Hour™
Organizers
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Elizabeth Grice (University of Pennsylvania, United States)