The Dermatology Innovation Forum cultivates an ecosystem that transforms dermatological science into scalable, real-world solutions to improve patient lives.
The conference fosters entrepreneurship through connection, education, leadership development, and sustained advocacy and support.
9:00 AM
Registration and Networking Café
9:30 AM
Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Michael D. Howell, PhD; President & Chief Executive Officer, Mountaineer Biosciences, Inc.
Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP; Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, Indero
Vijendra Nalamothu, PhD Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ApoStrata, LLC
11:00 AM
Networking Lunch
12:00 PM
Early Academic Roadmap for Entrepreneurs
Chair: Michael Girardi, MD, FAAD; Professor & Vice Chair of Faculty Development & Scientific Innovation, Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine
Skin as a Window to Human Health: How Accessible Tissues Reveal Hidden Disease
Co-Chair: Justin M. Ko, MD, MBA, FAAD; Service Line Chief, Dermatology, Associate Chief Quality Officer, Physician Lead, Patient Experience and Ambulatory Access Transformation, Stanford Health Care; Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine
Co-Chair: Sancy A. Leachman, MD, PhD, FAAD; Chief Medical Officer, SkinBit, Inc.
Skin in the Game: Profiling Early-Stage and Growth-Stage Derm Ventures
Chair: Adam Raff, MD, PhD, FAAD; Sr. Vice President, Clinical Development, Orbital Therapeutics
Innovation Tank Winner – SquareMind
4:00 PM
Networking Reception
The Dermatology Innovation Forum utilizes a conference app for meeting materials and networking, available to all registered attendees. The app will open in March.
Amanda Pacia
amanda.pacia@advancing-derm.org
Faye Silag
faye.silag@advancing-derm.org
The current program agenda can be found here.
If registered by January, 16, 2026 – $185 Physicians and Academicians / $445 Industry
Registration after January, 16, 2026 – $245 Physicians and Academicians / $595 Industry
Department nominated Residents and Fellows – $45
Conference registration includes:
Requests for registration fee cancellations for the conference must be received on or before February 27, 2026. At the discretion of the conference organizers, a refund via the method of original payment, minus a $125 non-refundable administrative fee, will be issued. No refunds will be made if notice is received after 3pm Eastern Time on February 27, 2026. Written notice of your cancellation should be sent to jamie.breslin@advancing-derm.org with a copy to support@advancing-derm.org.
Your company point of contact will receive an email with unique codes and instructions to register online. We encourage all complimentary and discounted registrations to be completed by January 16, 2026. If you have not yet received the email, please contact Faye Silag at faye.silag@advancing-derm.org.
If you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact Amanda Pacia at amanda.pacia@advancing-derm.org, for the sponsorship overview and level pricing.
Attire is business casual. Feel free to be comfortable in slacks, polo shirts, blazers, blouses and most importantly, comfortable shoes. We do recommend you dress in layers as temperatures in meeting rooms can vary.
No damages or refunds shall be due for a failure of performance or because of a delay or cancellation by the occurrence of any contingency beyond the reasonable control of Host. These contingencies include, without limitation, threat of or actual war, terrorism, sabotage, insurrection, riot or other act of civil disobedience, act of public enemy, strikes, labor disputes, picketing or work stoppage (actual or threatened), failure or delay in transportation, an epidemic, pandemic or disease, act of government or any agency affecting the terms of this Agreement, accident, fire, explosion, flood, severe weather, natural disaster, or other act of God, interruptions or failure of the Internet or third-party network connections, or acts beyond the reasonable control of the responsible parties making the Event impossible to hold.