Keynote, Invited and Guest Speakers for 2024
The BAD Conference & Events Committee is extremely grateful to the contribution of the Keynote, Invited and Guest lecturers that attend the BAD Annual Meeting speaking in the Plenary and concurrent sessions. Some are familiar BAD Members, whilst others are from outside both the association and the specialty. All offer an invaluable educational benefit to our members and we are very thankful.
Details will appear here shortly on the Keynote and Invited Lecturers for the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Tuesday 2nd July – Plenary Speakers
Samantha Vaughan Jones is Consultant Dermatologist at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital (ASPH) Foundation Trust with a specialist interest in pregnancy-related skin disease. She qualified from St Thomas’s Hospital UMDS then did general medicine at Kingston and Chertsey before completing her specialist training in Dermatology at St John’s Institute. There she spent two years in research in the IMF lab with Professor Martin Black, publishing her MD thesis on immunopathology findings in the pregnancy dermatoses.
She runs a pregnancy skin clinic at Ashford and St Peter’s, accepting referrals from obstetricians, community midwives and local GPs, along with tertiary referrals from other dermatologists.
She’s published articles and book chapters on the pregnancy dermatoses and has lectured and chaired symposia at the AAD, EADV, World Congress of Dermatology as well as Obstetric Medicine, Foetal & Maternal medicine courses and conferences.
She chaired the EADV Pregnancy Task Force from 2016-2020 and introduced the EADV Fostering course on pregnancy-related skin diseases for European residents. Within the Pregnancy Task Force she has contributed to the patient information leaflets on skin diseases in pregnancy published on the EADV website.
She was educational supervisor for GP specialty trainees in dermatology and interviewer for undergraduate medical school entry to King’s College, London. Her other interests include dermoscopy and teaching.
Her outside interests include tennis and pilates. She was previously a fitness instructor, completing her Exercise to Music course while working at St John’s when several members of the IMF lab were her guinea pigs.
Dr Sobanko is a distinguished dermatologic surgeon specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical reconstruction, laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Currently serving as the Associate Professor and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery at The University of Pennsylvania, he passionately mentors medical students, residents, and fellows.
With a prolific academic record, Dr Sobanko has authored over 150 scientific articles, 12 textbook chapters, and co-authored the acclaimed “Safety in Office-Based Dermatologic Surgery.” His ground breaking research, supported through grants from the Dermatology Foundation and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, delves into the profound impact of physical appearance on patients’ lives.
Dr Sobanko’s diverse research interests span information asymmetry in healthcare, melanoma management, cost-effective care, and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Committed to global health, he extends his surgical expertise to skin cancer patients worldwide, undertaking missions in Brazil, South Africa, India, and Vietnam.
Recognized as a thought leader in dermatology, Dr Sobanko is frequently cited by prominent media outlets, including Time Magazine, Reuters, NBC Today Show, and the Los Angeles Times. His consistent excellence has earned him the title of “Top Doctor” by Philadelphia Magazine annually from 2018-2023.
In 2017, he received the prestigious “Provider of the Year” award from the Clinical Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 2023, he was honoured with induction into the Academy of Master Clinicians, the highest clinic honour at Penn Medicine.
Adding to his repertoire, Dr. Sobanko recently completed the Executive MBA Program at the Wharton School of Business, augmenting his capabilities to further contribute to his clinical, research, and global health missions.
Prof Jemima Mellerio trained in dermatology in South London at St John’s Institute of Dermatology and King’s College Hospital. Undertaking her MD at St John’s Institute on Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) sparked an interest in genetic skin fragility disorders that has endured. She has been a consultant dermatologist since 2003 and is based at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London she leads the Adult Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Service. She has been an Honorary Professor of Paediatric Dermatology at King’s College London since 2016. Previously, she was also the dermatologist to the Paediatric EB Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for 15 years. Jemima’s clinical interests are EB and Mendelian genodermatoses, particularly ichthyoses and other disorders of keratinisation, as well as paediatric dermatology.
Wednesday 3rd July – Plenary Speakers
Susan C. Taylor is the Bernett Johnson Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her medical degree from Harvard and is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Dermatology.
Dr. Taylor’s clinical and research focus includes pigmentary disorders, alopecia, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Dr. Taylor has over 100 original publications as well as five books, including Taylor and Kelly’s Dermatology for Skin of Color. She lectures both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Taylor is the 2024 President-elect of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Taylor was the recipient of the AAD’s 2022 Inaugural John Kenney Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award and Lectureship.
Professor Taylor is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the American Dermatological Association, the Skin of Color Society and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. She serves on the editorial boards of Archives in Dermatologic Research, Cutis, and Practical Dermatology and is a peer reviewer for several other journals, including Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, British Journal of Dermatology, JAMA Dermatology, and Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Dr. Misha Rosenbach is the Paul R. Gross Professor of Dermatology and Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the co-director of the inpatient consult service, and serves a variety of educational roles including Vice Chair of Education and program director of the dermatology residency. Dr. Rosenbach’s clinical practice is focused on complex medical dermatology, where he runs a sarcoidosis clinic, with his research focused primarily on sarcoidosis, granulomatous skin conditions, and neutrophilic dermatoses. He has published more than 250 peer reviewed articles, multiple chapters, and 6 textbooks, including serving as one of the editors of Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. Dr. Rosenbach is involved in Dermatology nationally as well, and is the former deputy editor of JAMA Dermatology and remains on its editorial board. He is the immediate past president of the Medical Dermatology Society, and has leadership roles in the Society of Dermatology Hospitalists and in the American Academy of Dermatology, particularly in the area of Climate Change & Sustainability.
Martin Metz, M.D. is Professor of Dermatology at the Institute of Allergology at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany and Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology. He received his medical education at the Free University of Berlin and the Humboldt University of Berlin. He was trained in dermatology at the King’s College Hospital, London and at the University of Mainz, and in experimental pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre and Harvard Medical School in Boston (1997–98) and at Stanford University (2004–06) in the USA. He is board certified in Dermatology and Allergology, head of the specialty outpatient clinics for pruritus, head of translational research and deputy head of clinical research at the Institute of Allergology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. His main scientific areas of interest are mast cell biology, neuroimmunology, inflammation and innate immunity, the major clinical and translational focus is on pruritus and mast cell mediated diseases.
Dr Jane Ravenscroft trained is a Consultant Dermatologist at Nottingham University Hospital and Honorary Assistant Professor at the Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Nottingham. She is a full-time paediatric dermatologist, leading a tertiary level service at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, with innovative service delivery and training.
Her research interests include acne, eczema and paediatric dermatology and she has published extensively in these areas. She is co-applicant on the NIHR funded Acne-ID study which is investigating the benefits and harms of reduced daily dose oral isotretinoin in the treatment of acne.
Jane was a member of the NICE acne guideline committee 2021, and is current chair of the BAD retinoid working group. She chaired The Commission on Human Medicines Isotretinoin Implementation Advisory Expert Working Group from April- Oct 23. She is a current member of the British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology executive committee.
Dr. Ho is a Consultant Dermatologist and Lecturer at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. He received his MBBS from UWI Mona, and completed his Dermatology training in the International Graduate Program at Boston University School of Medicine. He is additionally fellowship-trained and board-certified in Dermatopathology. Dr. Ho is the Co-Director of the Dermatology residency program at the UWI, serves as the current president of the Dermatology Association of Jamaica and is Deputy Editor-in-Chief for PathologyOutlines, Dermatopathology Section. His clinical interests include complex medical dermatology, autoimmune connective tissue disease and in-patient dermatology
Thursday 4th July – Plenary Speakers
Dr David de Berker – Arthur Rook Oration
David’s clinical and research interests include skin cancer, disorders and biology of nail, hair microscopy, skin cancer and their surgical treatments and teledermatology. He is past chair Chair of the Health Informatics Society of the BAD and Founder and original president of the British Teledermatology Society. He is past President of the European Nail Society and recent UK Board member of the EADV and established the EADV Climate Working Group. He has been the clinician lead of the Clinical audit service of the BAD for more than 10 years.
He has published widely and is a contributor on Nail in Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology, Bologna, Conn’s Current Treatment, and Scher and Daniel’s Disease of the Nail. He is an editor of Baran and Dawber’s Management of Nail Disorders. He has been on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Dermatological Therapy, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, the British Journal of Dermatology, the Journal of Skin Appendage Disorders and the Prescriber.
Associate Professor Liam Caffery is a health informatics research fellow at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. He has a particular interest in dermatology informatics. He is the technology lead for the Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis. He developed the telehealth practice guidelines and the position statement for the use of AI in dermatology for the Australasian College of Dermatologists. He holds several national and international leadership positions including Vice President of the Australian Telehealth Society, Chair of the Dermatology Working Group for the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine, the international standards development organisation for medical imaging), Tele-imaging task force lead for the International Dermoscopy Society, Board of Directors for the International Digital Health in Dermatology Society, and working group lead for the International Skin Imaging Collaborative.
Veronica Kinsler is Professor of Paediatric Dermatology and Dermatogenetics at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and UCL, and Principal Group Leader of the Mosaicism and Precision Medicine laboratory and Assistant Research Director at the Francis Crick Institute in London. She also holds a UK NIHR Research Professorship. She trained in medicine at Cambridge, paediatrics and paediatric dermatology in London, molecular genetics at UCL, and worked part-time for 15 years to look after her family. Clinical work is focused on rare paediatric skin conditions, in particular mosaic and/or pigmentary disorders. Laboratory research is focused on identifying the genetic causes, and design or repurposing of targeted therapies. In parallel, the lab extrapolates findings to gain valuable insights into common conditions such as melanoma, and into normal human embryology. She is the past President of the ESPD, senior editor of the Harper textbook of Pediatric Dermatology, and director of Paediatric Dermatology Online Courses www.paediatric-dermatology.com
I am a Professor of Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials and helped to design and analyse clinical trials and large cohort studies over the last 15 years, including a large number in dermatology. I am Director of the Pragmatic Clinical Trials Unit at Queen Mary, University of London. I love talking to people about their research and helping them to develop their ideas (and getting stuck into the data at the end, of course!). I am therefore very honoured to act as the Chair for the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network, with its commitment to supporting clinical trials research and clinical research careers in dermatology.
Dame Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College, St Mary’s Hospital, London. Having graduated from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London in 1980, Professor Regan pursued her career at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where she first became enthused by clinical & laboratory research, completing an MD on miscarriage, the commonest complication of pregnancy. She went on to set up the world’s largest recurrent miscarriage clinic at St Mary’s.
Professor Regan was the 30th President (2016-2019) of the RCOG, during which time she co-chaired the national Women’s Health Task Force and published the RCOG Better for Women report which highlighted the need for an NHS led women’s health strategy. Lesley was awarded a DBE for her services to women’s health in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List. She was appointed chair of the WoW charity in October 2020 and became the first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England in July 2022, to help implementation of the Government’s recently launched Women’s Health Strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of girls and women nationally.
Tuesday 2nd July – Special Interest Group Speakers
Speaker TBC
Dr Tanya Basu
Tanya Basu is a Consultant Dermatologist at King’s College Hospital, with a specialist interest in Haemato-oncology. Tanya leads a dedicated, multidisciplinary clinic for patients with graft versus host disease; she also cares for patients with dermatological disorders related to underlying haematological disease in the in-patient and out-patient setting.
She started her career as a basic scientist, completing a BA Hons Degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge followed by a PhD Degree in molecular oncology and RAS oncogenes at Cancer Research UK. She went on to medical school at Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary’s, and completed her Dermatology training at Chelsea and Westminster and King’s College Hospital, London.
Tanya has both a clinical and translational research role with a focus on the rare haematological/cutaneous malignancy Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic cell neoplasm and Graft versus Host Disease. She is the former Chair of the British Society of Skin Care for the Immunocompromised Individual.
Prosser-White Oration – Prof Sally Ibbotson
Sally Ibbotson is Professor of Photodermatology and Head of the Photobiology Unit and Scottish Photobiology Service. She is also Clinical Director of the Scottish Photodynamic Therapy Centre and Co-Director of the Clinical Research Centre. Her clinical and academic research interests are in the abnormal photosensitivity diseases, photodiagnostic techniques and photoprotection, including sunscreen photoallergy testing and drug phototoxicity studies, and in light-based therapies, including UV phototherapies and photodynamic therapy. She has presented and published widely in international photodermatology (H-index 55) and is a member and recent Chair of the British Photodermatology Group, and of the European Society of Photobiology and European Society of Photodermatology committees. She has a major role in the development and implementation of Photodermatology Position Statements, Standards and Guidelines, including those relating to photoallergy and photopatch testing, and was senior investigator in the recent European Multicentre Photopatch Test study.
Speaker TBC
Dr Joseph Sobanko
Dr. Sobanko is a distinguished dermatologic surgeon specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical reconstruction, laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Currently serving as the Associate Professor and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery at The University of Pennsylvania, he passionately mentors medical students, residents, and fellows.
With a prolific academic record, Dr. Sobanko has authored over 150 scientific articles, 12 textbook chapters, and co-authored the acclaimed “Safety in Office-Based Dermatologic Surgery.” His groundbreaking research, supported through grants from the Dermatology Foundation and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, delves into the profound impact of physical appearance on patients’ lives.
Dr. Sobanko’s diverse research interests span information asymmetry in healthcare, melanoma management, cost-effective care, and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Committed to global health, he extends his surgical expertise to skin cancer patients worldwide, undertaking missions in Brazil, South Africa, India, and Vietnam.
Recognized as a thought leader in dermatology, Dr. Sobanko is frequently cited by prominent media outlets, including Time Magazine, Reuters, NBC Today Show, and the Los Angeles Times. His consistent excellence has earned him the title of “Top Doctor” by Philadelphia Magazine annually from 2018-2023.
In 2017, he received the prestigious “Provider of the Year” award from the Clinical Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 2023, he was honored with induction into the Academy of Master Clinicians, the highest clinic honor at Penn Medicine.
Adding to his repertoire, Dr. Sobanko recently completed the Executive MBA Program at the Wharton School of Business, augmenting his capabilities to further contribute to his clinical, research, and global health missions.
Dr Richard Motley
Dr Richard Motley is Consultant in Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at The Welsh Institute of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. He trained in Cambridge, London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Lisbon and Miami and was one of the first NHS Consultant Dermatologists to be appointed with a specific interest in Dermatological surgery and the treatment of skin cancers. He is a past-president of the British Society for Dermatological Surgery. In 2022 he was awarded the British Association of Dermatologists’ Dermatology Clinician of the Year.
Wednesday 3rd July – Special Interest Group Speakers
Prof Siddharth Banka
Sid is a Clinician Scientist who combines genomics with clinical and functional studies to improve diagnosis, management and treatment of rare human genetic disorders.
Sid graduated in Medicine (MBBS) from Lokmanya Tilak Medical College (University of Mumbai) in 2002, obtained Membership of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) in 2006 and joined Clinical Genetics training programme in Manchester in 2007. He was an NIHR Research Training Fellows from 2008 to 2011 and was awarded PhD by the University of Manchester in 2012. He was appointed as Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Clinical Geneticist in 2013 and made a full professor in 2021.
Currently, Sid is a Professor of Genomic Medicine and Rare Diseases at the University of Manchester, a Consultant Clinical Geneticist at the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Founding Clinical Director of the Manchester Rare Conditions Centre, Co-lead of the Rare Conditions theme of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Co-Director of the EpiGenRare node of the MRC UK Rare Disease Research Platform, and Co-lead for the NHSE Rare Disease Genomics Network of Excellence.
His current research programs focus on novel disease and disease-gene discovery; improving diagnosis of undiagnosed patients through innovative data analysis and multi-omic approaches; understanding mechanisms of neurodevelopmental diseases, including chromatin disorders and inborn errors of metabolism; and natural history studies and therapeutic clinical trials in developmental diseases.
Speaker TBC
Dr Laura Dean
Laura Dean is a public health specialist with over 15 years of experience of research, capacity strengthening, and partnerships for community led-development and health systems strengthening in Africa and Asia. Laura’s training is in the social sciences and her research utilises qualitative, narrative, and participatory research methodologies to support the strengthening of people-centred health systems for the management of neglected tropical diseases, disability inclusion and the integration of mental health services. She has led multiple multi-partner research programmes, developing long standing research collaborations across fragile and conflict affected States within West and Central Africa and South Asia. Drawing on intersectionality and gender theory, all of the research that she leads engages with marginalised populations and people with lived experience of NTDs to ensure their needs, values and priorities are recognised within health systems reform and community action. Laura is currently a Reader in Social Science and Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and leads the Social Science and Chronic Disease Research Unit, with a key focus on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Dr Andrew Birnie
Andrew is a consultant dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Canterbury, where he leads the skin cancer Multidisciplinary Team for East Kent. He attained pharmacology and medical degrees from the University of Bristol. Dermatology training took place in Nottingham followed by a Mohs fellowship in Cardiff.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London and a member of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology, the Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery International League, in addition to the BAD and BSDS.
He launched Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen in 2015 with the aim of reducing the incidence of skin cancer through the increased use of high-quality sunscreen. Since then Altruist has become the leading on-line sunscreen brand in the UK and facilitated the donation of over 1 million Euros worth of sunscreen to people with albinism in Africa.
Andrew is the lead trainer for dermatology in Kent and regularly speaks and teaches nationally and internationally on skin surgery, skin cancer and sun protection.
Out of work, he enjoys sport, in particular rugby and cricket. Andrew has also recently been awarded his level 1 waterpolo coaching certificate.
Speaker TBC
Speaker TBC
Professor David J Gawkrodger
David Gawkrodger is honorary professor in dermatology at the University of Sheffield. He has researched extensive in contact dermatitis and vitiligo. Over the past few years he has developed an interest in the history of medicine, most recently the health of British armies in the 19th to the 20th century.”
Thursday 4th July – Special Interest Group Speakers
Dr Matthew Harries
Dr Matthew Harries received his medical degree from the University of Leeds, UK (1998). In 2001, he gained membership in the Royal College of Physicians of London, and in January 2003 took a post as a Specialist Registrar in Dermatology in Manchester. During training he took time out of programme to study the hair immune system in primary cicatricial alopecias, working as a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, and a visiting Research Fellow in Experimental Dermatology at the University of Lübeck, Germany. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Manchester in 2011. He now works as a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal Hospital in Greater Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London. He has a special interest in hair loss disorders, receiving specialist referrals from around the region. He is the co-lead of the NIHR Manchester BRC inflammatory hair diseases research programme, a member of the British Skin Foundation charity large grant awards committee and also sits on the Alopecia UK charity research committee. He is currently leading the BAD alopecia areata clinical guidelines update and the acquired hair disorders chapter in the next Rook Textbook of Dermatology.
Dr Dmitri Wall
Dr Dmitri Wall is a consultant Dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon who specialises in hair disorders. A graduate of University College Dublin, Ireland, he completed higher specialist training with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland before undertaking an international hair fellowship in Melbourne, Australia with Professor Rodney Sinclair. He is currently based in Hair Restoration Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland, seeing patients with hair disorders, but is also an Honorary Consultant in The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Dublin, where he has established a specialist alopecia areata clinic to facilitate complex patient care, teaching and research.
Dr Wall is Associate Professor in the Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin. He is involved in research related to hair and scalp disorders and actively publishes in, and reviews for, a number of journals. He additionally has a special interest in Health Informatics in which he has a Master’s degree (Trinity College Dublin), and this has led to development of the National and International Skin Registries (NISR); a charitable company that focuses on developing patient registries for dermatological conditions to improve international collaboration and collect real-world data. Amongst other registries, this has included working with international colleagues to establish two global patient registries; one for alopecia areata (GRASS; Global Registry of Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Safety) and another for COVID-19 positive patients suffering from alopecia (SECURE-Alopecia).
Prof Sally Ibbotson
Sally Ibbotson is Professor of Photodermatology and Head of the Photobiology Unit and Scottish Photobiology Service. She is also Clinical Director of the Scottish Photodynamic Therapy Centre and Co-Director of the Clinical Research Centre. Her clinical and academic research interests are in the abnormal photosensitivity diseases, photodiagnostic techniques and photoprotection, including sunscreen photoallergy testing and drug phototoxicity studies, and in light-based therapies, including UV phototherapies and photodynamic therapy. She has presented and published widely in international photodermatology (H-index 55) and is a member and recent Chair of the British Photodermatology Group, and of the European Society of Photobiology and European Society of Photodermatology committees. She has a major role in the development and implementation of Photodermatology Position Statements, Standards and Guidelines, including those relating to photoallergy and photopatch testing, and was senior investigator in the recent European Multicentre Photopatch Test study.
