Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, received the first-ever Therapeutic Innovation Award from the American Skin Association (ASA) for her work in helping to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving inflammatory skin diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD).
Dr. Guttman, the Waldman Professor of Dermatology and Immunology and Health System Chair of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, was presented with the award at the ASA’s Spring Gala in New York City. She is also a member of the Dermatology Digest’s Editorial Advisory Board.
Dr. Guttman decided to focus her research and career on AD at a time when no one else was truly interested in this skin condition. “I discovered it is an immune-driven disease and people didn’t believe me. It was during the period when eczema was considered to be a barrier disease, and filaggrin mutation was just found,” she told the crowd.
Her advice? “Follow your passion and believe in yourself. If you love something, even if it is not easy, you need to follow that passion,” she advised. “Maybe it won’t be a straight line, but you will find your way and you will be successful.”
The ASA’s Distinguished Corporate Research Award was given to Eli Lilly and Co. at the gala.
In other ASA news, Joseph F. Merola, MD, MMSc, joined the organization’s Board of Directors. Dr. Merola is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX and also a Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology. He holds the Mary Kay Inc. Distinguished Chair in Dermatology and is a Professor at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health.
