Practical Psoriasis: Research Gaps and Management of Special Patient Groups

Dr. Hawkes is a board-certified dermatologist in the greater Sacramento area. He completed his medical school and residency at the University of Utah. During medical school, he completed a fellowship in translational immunology in the NIH-HHMI Research Scholars Program. He also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation from Rockefeller University, where he was Chief Clinical Scholar and Principal and sub-Investigator on multiple human research protocols in the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology. He has held academic appointments in the Departments of Dermatology at the University of Utah, University of California-Davis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Hawkes is a current Councilor in the International Psoriasis Council and serves on the NPF Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee. He also serves as the official delegate of the AAD as a member of the international guidelines and workgroup committee for urticaria. His research has been funded by the NIH, NSF, NPF, and Dermatology Foundation, and he is the recipient of several teaching awards including NPF Outstanding Educator in Psoriatic Disease and Exceptional Teacher of the Year in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai. His primary clinical and research interests include novel immune therapies for inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, HS, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and urticaria.

Dr. Jenny Murase is an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and the Director of Medical Dermatology Consultative Services and Patch Testing for the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. She provides consultative services for diagnostic dilemmas, adult atopic dermatitis, women’s health in dermatology (such as pregnancy dermatoses and lactation issues), psychodermatology (delusions of parasitosis), and patch testing. She is the co-Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology and the Founding and Current Chair of the AAD Women’s Health Expert Resource Group. Dr. Murase received her medical degree from the University of California, Irvine (UCI); she received the Dean’s award and was the first in the School of Medicine to graduate with distinction in clinical research. She completed dermatology residency at UCI, receiving honors from the North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, Women’s Dermatology Society (WDS), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Pacific Dermatology Association, and California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery while in residency. Board certified in dermatology and active in clinical research and teaching, she was voted by the UCSF residents to be the best dermatology instructor among the adjunct clinical faculty in the department in 2010 and 2020. She serves on the board of the American Contact Dermatitis Society as the Contact Allergen Management Program Council Chair. She was the Chair of the San Francisco Dermatological Society for seven years and continues to serve on the board of the society and represent northern California on the AAD Advisory Board. She has been selected to be a course director at the World Congress, EADV, and AAD Annual meetings the past twelve years, directing over 25 symposia on Women’s Health Therapeutics. For her volunteer work in Africa and as a teacher, she has received Gold Recognition in the AAD Leadership Circle of Volunteerism, the AAD Members Making a Difference award in 2006, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2009. Dr. Murase has authored or coauthored more than 110 peer-reviewed book chapters and articles, and actively reviews for six major dermatology journals.

As director of the clinics for multicultural dermatology and for hair disorders, Dr. Agbai provides specialized, comprehensive care for all skin types. She also understands the structural differences of skin of color requiring highly specialized dermatologic care.

Dr. Agbai treats conditions such as acne-induced hyperpigmentation, hair thinning, melasma, and hidradenitis suppurativa, especially as these conditions relate to patients of color. Additionally, Dr. Agbai offers medical dermatology care and cosmetic procedures to patients of all skin types.

Dr. Agbai has engaged in clinical research in pigmentary disorders, hidradenitis suppurativa, cicatricial alopecia, and skin of color dermatology. She is a co-author on multiple high-impact scientific publications and book chapters related to these topics. Additionally, Dr. Agbai has presented at national scientific meetings relating to her clinical and research interests. She also appears regularly as a contributor on the television program "Good Day Sacramento" on the topics of skin and hair.

Dr. Raja Sivamani is a board-certified dermatologist and practices as an integrative dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit.He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California Northstate University, College of Medicine.He engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research.He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skin care.