The SOCS Scientific Committee
SOCS Scientific Committee Co-chairs, Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are delighted to feature the SOCS Scientific Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen.
Under their dedicated leadership, this busy, highly engaged committee is responsible for planning and delivering the Skin of Color Society's Annual Scientific Symposium, happening on Thursday, March 6, 2025 in Orlando, FL.
About the Committee
The Scientific Committee is dedicated to advancing education for dermatologists, residents, and non-physician scientists on dermatologic conditions that specifically impact individuals with skin of color. Through these efforts, the committee aims to foster greater understanding, promote the latest research, and enhance the quality of care provided to this diverse patient population. The committee plays a key role in ensuring that the meeting serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and improving dermatologic practice for individuals with skin of color. In addition to the Symposium, the Committee is also charged with coordinating educational programming for ancillary meetings held at the World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).
Dr. Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss and has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and given multiple national and international talks on these topics. Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards & grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the Dermatology Foundation.
Dr. Virgen is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, NY. As a member of the inaugural cohort of MSKCC Faculty Scholars, he is dedicated to advancing dermatologic care and research in oncology. His clinical and research interests include cutaneous lymphomas and supportive oncodermatology, striving to enhance patient outcomes through research and compassionate care.
Message from the Co-Chairs
Dr. Aguh: “It has been so much fun working with such a wonderful group of dermatologists who have contributed so much to help develop a program that we feel will be enjoyed by the entire SOCS community. I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with my co-chair, Dr. Cesar Virgen, and collaborating with him through this entire process.
This year, the committee has been working hard to develop a Symposium that will highlight improving equity as it pertains to scientific research and clinical outcomes within dermatology. We have assembled a stellar line-up of experts in clinical care and scientific discovery. We are so excited to welcome our keynote speaker this year, Dr. Uche Blackstock, who has been a leader in advocating for healthcare equity.”
Dr. Virgen: “I am deeply grateful to my co-chair, Dr. Aguh, and the entire Scientific Committee for their dedication and hard work in curating an outstanding program for the upcoming Symposium, Innovating for Equity. I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our committee members, who meticulously reviewed over a hundred abstract submissions and to the SOCS judges who helped select the top iPosters. Our work extends beyond medicine and science—it is about representation, equity, and driving meaningful change in dermatology.”
Both co-chairs enthusiastically encourage you to register for the upcoming 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, a program not to be missed!