SKIN Canada Newsletter: Winter 2022

I am excited to present the inaugural SkIN Canada Newsletter. With support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, the launch of SkIN Canada provides an unprecedented opportunity to catalyze collaborative research across the country for the benefit of people living with skin conditions. SkIN Canada has three main goals: a) develop national infrastructure to advance multicentre skin research; b) foster new collaborations between patients, researchers, and clinicians at academic and community sites; and c) grow the skin research community. We recognize the value of open science and engaging patients to achieve these goals, and have ensured that the patient voice is integrated throughout all our activities.

Since the network’s launch, we have undertaken several projects to actualize these aims in collaboration with over 450 researchers, patients, clinicians, and trainees who have generously contributed their time and effort. Our landmark Priority Setting Initiative is establishing the most important research topics for nine common skin conditions in Canada. We are developing national infrastructure – including a directory of research expertise, database development support services, and a Master Network Agreement – to lower the barriers to initiating multicentre studies. We have also hosted

multiple training events on career development and patient engagement for students and early career investigators.

We intend to make this newsletter more than just a regular update on SkIN Canada’s activities. We will showcase the profiles of early career investigators and patient research partners. Further, we will promote the successes of Canadian skin researchers and highlight opportunities to collaborate.

This is only the beginning of our efforts to catalyze collaborative skin research in Canada, as we endeavour to engage a diverse and powerful community. In the coming months we will be launching a call for Team Development Grant proposals; join our mailing list to stay informed. We sincerely appreciate your support and interest in SkIN Canada, and encourage you to share this newsletter widely. The more eyes it reaches, the more powerful a tool it can become.

Rachael Manion is the Executive Director of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance and the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients. She is also Chair of the Patient Advisory Council of the Skin Investigation Network of Canada (SkIN Canada) and a member of the Executive Committee. Drawing on her background as a lawyer and consultant, Rachael brings a strategic and creative approach to advocating for better patient care …

Dr. Elena Netchiporouk obtained her medical degree from the Université de Montréal in 2012 and her Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certified training in dermatology from McGill University in 2017. During her dermatology residency, she also completed a 3-year Master’s program in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. As a clinician scientist, she focuses her research on understanding the interaction between environment and ….

SkIN Canada has been conducting a multi-phase project to identify the most important skin research questions for people living in Canada.

SkIN Canada is developing a consortium of research sites that will collectively drive the formation of new multicentre research projects. Research sites in the federation will have access to a suite of resources that will make it significantly easier to implement skin research.

Inspiring the future of skin research with talent development & education. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinvented the way we exchange knowledge, offering unique and equitable opportunities to connect virtually and educate skin researchers and patients across Canada.

SkIN Canada has partnered with two research projects to guide the creation of the network’s free Database Support Services.

To help establish a framework for coordinating multi-centre skin studies involving community and academic research sites, the clinical trials arm of SkIN Canada initiated two pilot non-interventional research projects.