Translational Lecture Series

An on-going, evidence-based series from George Washington University, the Translational Science Dermatology Lecture Series provides dermatologists and residents with access to the latest bench-to-bedside research and practical pearls.

November 2021
From Bud to Bedside: The Therapeutic Potential and Current Landscape of Cannabinoids in Dermatology

Puff Puff and don’t pass on the great potential cannabinoids have to expand our current armament of therapeutics and address unmet clinical needs. Used for generations, derivatives of the cannabis plant have a storied history in traditional medicine only to be cast away in the 20th century through legislation and ultimately by being classified as a Schedule I substance. Yet, times they are a changing, and the study of this once US wide illegal drug led to the discovery of our own internal endocannabinoid system which is responsible for regulating a broad range of biological activities from sensation to inflammation. There has been an explosion in research and development targeting the skin’s inherent endocannabinoids system to combat inflammatory skin diseases. Do be caught downwind of these exciting and emerging developments!

Presenter: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD is Professor and Chair of Dermatology and serves as Associate Residency Program Director, Director of Translational Research, and Director of the Supportive Oncodermatology Program in the Department of Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

August 2021
Translational Landscape of Chronic Itch: A Bench to Bedside Update
Dr. Shawn Kwatra will dive deep into chronic itch to cover epidemiology, pathogenesis, itch mediators, clinical presentation and treatment. He will also provide an overview of the current translational itch studies at Johns Hopkins.
Presenter: Dr. Shawn Kwatra is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He specializes in medical dermatology and is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. His areas of clinical expertise include general dermatology, chronic pruritus, prurigo nodularis, atopic dermatitis, and dermatology for ethnic skin.

June 2021
Understanding the Effect of Inflammation Over Time in Humans: Lessons from Psoriasis

Hear from cardiologist Dr. Nehal Mehta, as he discusses the systemic inflammation of psoriasis and its long term effects on the vascular system.

Presenter: Nehal N. Mehta, MD, MSCE, FAHA is the Lasker Senior Investigator and Chief of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, MD. He is also Clinical Professor of Medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Penn Perelman School of Medicine.

Special thanks to Jannsen, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Lilly for their support of this event.

October 2020
Pediatric Lichen Sclerosus

In this edition of the GW/JDD Translational Research Lecture Series, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at the University of Cinncinatti and GW/Children’s National native Dr. Kalyani Marathe highlights the delicate and engendering approach to lichen sclerosus and reviews novel research that scratches beneath the surface of this pathophysiologically elusive, pruritic, disabling and deforming condition.

Presenter: Kalyani Marathe, MD, MCR
Special thanks to Regeneron and Sanofi Genzyme for their support and exhibition at this event.