Three research posters on Gorlin syndrome, new projects taking shape, and an award for GSA board member Taylor Hodge made this year’s Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) annual conference especially meaningful for our community.
PeDRA brings together a productive, committed network of researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates working to reduce the impact of childhood skin diseases. The organization also supports new investigators entering the field, helping build the next generation of pediatric dermatology researchers. GSA invests time and resources in PeDRA because we share that commitment and want Gorlin syndrome to be part of this work.
This year, three research posters on Gorlin syndrome were submitted to the conference. We are grateful to Drs. Elena Hawryluk, Shireen Guide, Jean Teng, and everyone who contributed to these projects. Their work brings attention to the challenges children with Gorlin syndrome face and helps build the knowledge needed to improve their care.
Throughout the conference, presentations and study group discussions also helped new projects for children with Gorlin syndrome begin to take shape. GSA shared our community’s priorities in these conversations: preventing new basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and improving care for those that occur in childhood. That includes considering how early care decisions affect a child who will need to manage ongoing risks throughout life. GSA offers funding, Natural History Study data, and patient perspectives to help researchers pursue these questions.
We were also delighted to celebrate Taylor Hodge, who received PeDRA’s Community Member of the Year award. Congratulations, Taylor, and thank you for your commitment to our community!
The conference marked the close of GSA Executive Director Meredith Weiss’s two years of service on PeDRA’s Board of Directors and as chair of its Patient Advocacy Committee. Julia Terrell will take on the committee’s leadership, and GSA looks forward to continuing our work with PeDRA and our fellow patient advocacy organizations.
That collaboration includes the Gorlin Syndrome Challenge Grant, offered jointly by GSA and PeDRA. The grant provides up to $25,000 for one year of research addressing pediatric BCCs in Gorlin syndrome, including prevention, diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, and psychosocial effects. Proposals are being accepted through December 3, 2026.
We left the meeting encouraged by the research underway and the commitment of the people doing it. Thank you to PeDRA and to everyone helping advance better care for children with Gorlin syndrome.