Meet the Leadership

I was actively involved in diverse areas such as outbreak management, community-based research, operational research, and clinical trials. My research contributions encompass 42 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.

A Fellow for Ethiopian Academy of Sciences I am actively engaged in national and global health initiatives. I am serving as a member of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases. My leadership extends also to role as the vice-chair of the International Alliance for Global Health Dermatology (GLODERM) and as a member of the advisory board of Amref Ethiopia.

Additionally, I remains actively engaged in training initiatives, having been an alumnus of the TDR lead Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative and facilitating operational research training for South East Asia and Africa.

She has worked to improve healthcare, especially those affected by HIV, in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and southeast Asia since 2003. She has collaborated with the World Health Organization since 2011, to establish guidelines for the treatment of HIV-associated skin conditions in the developing world. Her work centers around HIV-associated skin disease and HIV- associated cancer.

In 2020, Dr Freeman is overseeing the international Dermatology Covid-19 Registry in collaboration with the American Academy of Dermatology. Her work on Covid-19 has been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Dr Claire Fuller is a consultant dermatologist from London, UK. She is a medical dermatologist with interest in infectious and tropical dermatoses as well as multidisciplinary genital skin diseases management. She is on the leadership team of the Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network Skin NTD Cross Cutting Group and is a founder member of GLODERM (The International Alliance for Global Health Dermatology) as well as IACS International Alliance for the Control of Scabies

I chose dermatology because I enjoy seeing patients of all ages and because it overlaps with other specialties, such as infectious diseases, oncology and rheumatology. As a general dermatologist, I treat a wide variety of skin conditions such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, rashes, benign skin lesions, eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin cancer screening and hair and nail disorders. I also perform surgical treatment of skin cancer.

I have a particular interest in global health and collaborate with the HealthPartners Center for International Health and the Travel and Tropical Medicine Center to care for refugees, immigrants and returning travelers with skin conditions. I am currently core faculty of the University of Minnesota Global Medicine Pathway. Since 2015 I have supported a dermatology training program in Mbarara, Uganda and am the current project director for Health Volunteers Overseas Uganda Dermatology project. I am also a telemedicine consultant for MSF/Doctors Without Borders, supporting colleagues around the world who provide medical care in humanitarian crises.

Dr. Marlous Grijsen, MD PhD, is a dermatologist and senior clinical scientist at Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) Indonesia, where she works with local partners on research and healthcare delivery for skin diseases in eastern Indonesia. Her work focusses on the epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of neglected tropical skin diseases in rural impoverished communities. She also has an interest in social science and community engagement activities to raise awareness and better understand disease-related stigma.

Marlous was a mentee in the first GLODERM mentorship programme under the mentorship from Dr. Esther Freeman. In 2023 she received the L’Oreal International Award for Social Responsibility in Dermatology.

Furthermore, he has held the position as an Honorary Consultant Microbiologist for Public Health England and University College Hospital London. He has worked for the Center for Disease Control in the USA. He is also a specialist advisor for the International Foundation for Dermatology and the World Health Organisation. He provides advice on skin public health and tropical skin diseases.

His main interests include infectious skin diseases, mycoses and tropical public health. He has written more than 500 publications, 150 textbook chapters and 9 books with a focus on skin infections, eczema, fungal infections and nail diseases.

In her research, she has been studying teledermatology and its impact, which involves synchronous and asynchronous solutions for diagnosing and treating patients with dermatologic conditions. She has spent several years developing seamless models for the implementation of teledermatology, and is dedicated to sharing these innovations with physicians, hospitals and health care systems around the world. Toby Maurer is the Founder and President of Maurer Dermatology Associates (MDA).

She created the Penn Dermatology Global Health program, through which she works to provide clinical care and education in underserved communities. She has implemented numerous innovative programs with the goal of improving access to care and patient outcomes, using mobile phones, electronic medical records, open-source technology, and accessory medical devices.

Dr. Mavura holds a Medical Degree from the University of Carlos J. Finlaty in Cuba and a Master of Medicine degree in Dermatovenereology of the Tumaini University. I have subspecialised in Dermatosurgery from UKT-Germany and the Univesidad de alcala de Henare in Spain. I have published and co-authored several papers mostly in tropical dermatology. Fluent in English, Spanish and his native Kiswahili.

She has many accolades and awards behind her name, recently she was awarded a Leadership award as the Best Dean Leader in her College in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

She is a well-published dermatologist with more than 135 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, and a “B” NRF rated researcher, which means her research has had an impact and is recognised by her peers both locally and internationally. Her interest and expertise are in Skin of Color: pigmentation and hair disorders as well as HIV and Skin disorders. She has contributed more than 15 chapters in international dermatology textbooks and a co-author of 2 dermatology books which depict Black Skin, and are relevant to skin of color.

Dlova has successfully supervised, mentored and trained more than 40 dermatologists, supervised numerous Masters students and currently supervising 5 PhD’s, contributing significantly to the transformation of dermatology in South Africa. She supports a number of community initiatives and helps to educate South Africans about skin and hair conditions through outreach programmes and sharing her research findings with consumers.

Dr. Roni P. Dodiuk-Gad is currently the head of the Inflammatory and Autoimmune Skin diseases Unit, Dermatology Department, Emek Medical Center, Israel, the Student’s Education Program & Academic Program of the Dermatology Department at Emek Medical Center in Israel. She is a Clinical Associate Professor and head of the Dermatology Program, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Institute of Technology, Israel and an Assistant Professor, status-only appointment, in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr Cyndy Muliro is currently a consultant Dermato-venereologist and the Research unit & Trichology Lead at the Regional Dermatology Training Center (RDTC) Moshi, Tanzania where she has also been the Chief Resident. She obtained her Master of Medicine in Dermato-venereology from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University, Moshi – Tanzania in 2024 and her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree in 2014 from Moi University, Eldoret – Kenya. Prior to her residency, she was the Medical Officer Supervisor at the accident and emergency department at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Nairobi, Kenya where she was posted after completing her internship at the Defense Forces Memorial Hospital also in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a global health dermatology advocate with an interest in trichoscopy, Dermatosurgery and community dermatology. She is a mentee with the International Alliance for Global Health Dermatology – GLODERM (2023 -2024 cohort). She has been involved in several projects at the RDTC including planning and execution of the International annual CME conference, workshops and outreach activities among many others. She is also currently involved with her passion project – Improving access to dermatological care in rural Kenya. 

She finished her general medicine training at the National University of Rwanda in 2013, served as a general practitioner at Muhima District Hospital in Kigali, where she led the maternal, neonatal & child death audit and ethics committees.

She worked as a panel physician providing medical screening and assistance to refugees and applicants for the USA, Australia, and New Zealand visas in Rwanda. She co-authored 3 papers, “Feasibility study of a smartphone application for detecting skin cancers in people with albinism”; “Mycetoma in Moshi, Tanzania.” and “Neuropsychiatric manifestation of SLE in a immediat postpartum patient”.

Dr. Doriane also discovered her passion in community dermatology during her multiple participation and coordination of the Xeroderma Pigementosum, Albinism, and Leprosy outreaches in the region of Kilimanjaro. She is also the secretary of the GLODERM trainee Committee.

Dr Lynda Afe Atsen is a resident of Dermatology and Venereology at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. Having earned her medical degree from the University of Jos, she embarked on her journey to specialize in dermatology with a passion for improving patient care and advancing her knowledge in dermatology.

In addition to her clinical work, Lynda is the current Chair of the GLODERM Trainee Committee, where she plays a key role in fostering collaboration, education, and mentorship within the dermatology community. Her commitment is reflected not only in her academic achievements but also in her active involvement in volunteer work. She initially joined GLODERM as a volunteer, contributing her time and expertise to support the organization’s initiatives, before taking on leadership responsibilities within the committee.

Throughout her training, Lynda has consistently demonstrated a strong dedication to both patient care and professional development. With a keen interest in dermatological diseases and venereology, she is passionate about providing quality care while staying at the forefront of emerging trends and research.

Looking ahead, she is eager to continue advancing in her dermatology career, aiming to contribute significantly to both clinical practice and the broader medical community.

Josh is a 4th year medical student at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Originally from the New York City area, he studied Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University, where his passion for global health was sparked by working with Global Medical Brigades in rural clinics in Honduras. He recently completed a yearlong research fellowship in the laboratory of Dr Richard Granstein at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, where he studied cutaneous neuroimmunology, and is currently applying to residency programs in dermatology.  

Dr Karen Wainaina is a dermatology resident in the pioneer Master of Medicine in Dermatology program in Kenya. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology from the University of South Wales and is passionate about clinical dermatology. This interest has been nurtured since 2019.
Her other areas of interest include skin of color, dermatologic research, and teledermatology.

Dr Salva Nicas is a Junior Dermatology consultant in Moshi, Tanzania. Her focus on Paediatric Dermatology and Leprosy and her involvement in international conferences showcase her dedication to advancing knowledge in these fields.

She actively contributes to the field of dermatology by publishing and presenting interesting cases and research at international conferences. Her commitment is evident in her current efforts to establish a paediatric curriculum at the Regional Dermatology Training Centre, which will likely positively impact the training and education of future dermatologists in the region.

Her membership in professional organisations such as the GLODERM Trainee Committee, the Society of Paediatric Dermatology, and the International Society of Dermatology reflects her engagement with the global dermatological community.

Dr Wingfield Rehmus is currently the head of pediatric dermatology at BC Children’s Hospital which provides dermatology services to children from throughout British Columbia including small remote communities. Her team also works in collaboration with a social pediatrics network in downtown Vancouver called RICHER, which is embedded into the community to support children and families living in vulnerable situations.