EUROPEAN SKIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION

EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
The European Dermatology Forum, a society of heads of
departments and key opinion leaders, strongly supports the
ESRF which will provide a critical mechanism for supporting
the international excellence of European dermatology.
Jonathan Barker, President of the European Dermatology Forum [EDF]
The ESRF will be the key to creating a new generation
of European investigators in skin biology.
Carlo Pincelli, President, European Society
for Dermatological Research [ESDR]
It is an institutional duty of the European dermatological
community represented by the EADV to support research
and young researchers through the ESRF.
Alberto Gianetti, President European Academy
of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)
The ESRF will be the indispensible meeting point between
public and private research in dermatology in Europe.
Louis Dubertret, President of theBoard, René Touraine Foundation
Similar to the Dermatology Foundation in the USA, the ESRF
soon will be the major source of support for new European
researchers who do not yet have the experience required to
obtain long-term financial support from official granting agencies.
John J Voorhees, Duncan & Ella Poth Distinguished Professor Chair of
the Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School.
TO FIND OUT MORE
GO ONlINE www.euroskinresearch.org
OR By POST ESRF, Rue Cingria 7, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 321 48 90 Fax: +41 22 321 48 92
OR EMAIl office@euroskinresearch.org
The ESRF gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following Benefactors’ Board sponsors.
EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION

EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
CONCEPT
The European Skin Research Foundation (ESRF)
The concept of the ESRF was originally generated by several members
of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) in the late
1990s. The idea was developed over the next few years by the Board
of the ESDR, however a large part of the credit for the translation from
concept to reality goes to Prof. Lars French and Prof. Martin Röcken,
who on behalf of the ESDR Board, produced the aims and statutes of
the Foundation.
CONCEPT
The ESRF aims to broadly promote research and development in
order to establish the highest possible quality of care to patients who
suffer from diseases of the skin or from sexually transmitted diseases.
In particular, the ESRF will provide financial help to facilitate:
• The promotion of research and development in Dermatology and
Venereology in Europe through research grants with the aim of
leading to improvement of patient care.
•High quality training in the form of Fellowships to graduates of
medical or basic research background of any origin if the research
is expected to promote research and development in Dermatology
and Venereology. The primary goal is to support exchange programs
to develop further expertise within these disciplines.
•Travel to qualifying scientific meetings and symposia. The ESRF also
intends to support the development of research in areas of Europe
where access to funding is difficult.
EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
AUDITORS
STRUCTURE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Enno Christophers (Chair)
Lars French, Martin Röcken
BENEFACTORS’ BOARD
ESDR, EADV, EDF, RTF,
Industry
E S R F
SCIENTIFIC BOARD
Irene Leigh (Chair)
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
ESDR [First 2 years]
EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Responsibilities
Board of Trustees: Fundraising and overseeing management and development of ESRF
Scientific Board: Reviewing applications for funding and recommending grant amounts.
Benefactors’ Board: Organisations or Industry partners providing financial support can
appoint a representative to the Benefactors’ Board. This organ has no voting rights or
direct influence on the ESRF but provides a forum for members and a channel for
communication with the Board of Trustees.
Auditors: Appointed authority of surveillance responsible for verifying correct
accounting practice within the ESRF.
Administrative Office: For the first two years, the ESDR office will provide
administrative support and logistical help to the ESRF.

EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Enno Christophers
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Emeritus Professor Department of Dermatology
University of Schleswig Holstein Kiel, Germany
After completing his medical studies in Göttingen, Paris, Munich and
Kiel, Professor Enno Christophers undertook postgraduate training as
a Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania under Professor
Albert Kligman. This was followed by a further four years of training as
a Resident under Professor Otto Braun-Falco at the University of Munich.
Professor Christopher’s first faculty appointment came at the University
of Munich, where he was Associate Professor in the Department of
Dermatology. Subsequently, he embarked on a long and fruitful academic
career at the University of Kiel, where he was appointed Professor and
Chairman — a position he held for 30 years. In addition to his Dermatology
appointment, Professor Christophers held the position of Dean of the
Faculty of Medicine in Kiel (3 years), was a member of the University
of Kiel Senate (5 years) and is a long-serving member of the Scientific
Board of the University’s Faculty of Medicine.
Numerous awards have been bestowed on Professor Christophers and
he has been given Honourary Member status in numerous dermatological
societies in Europe, North America and Asia. He has also served the
editorial boards of several international scientific journals and has
played an active role in the leadership of dermatological societies
(President of European Society of Dermatological Research,
President of German Society of Dermatological Research etc).
Professor Christophers’s scientific achievements also include a large
body of published work, including over 360 articles and reviews in peerreviewed
journals, as well as major contributions to academic textbooks.
Irene leigh OBE
Chair of the Scientific Board
Head of College of Medicine, Dentistry
and Nursing Dundee University.
EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Professor Irene Leigh is a graduate of the London Hospital Medical
College. After graduation she gained a lecturership in medicine at the
University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. In 1979 she returned to the UK
and worked as a Senior Registrar at St John’s Hospital for Diseases of
the Skin.
Professor Leigh joined the London Hospital four years later as a Consultant
Dermatologist. She went on to become a Senior Lecturer and then Professor
of Dermatology in 1991. She was Director of the Cancer Research UK
Skin Tumour Laboratory and Head of the Centre for Cutaneous Research
at Bart’s and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry
until 2006.
The Research Centre’s laboratories comprise multiple research
teams focusing on: keratinocyte differentiation, connexins and keratin
mutations; non melanoma skin cancer and molecular mechanisms;
human papillomavirus and cellular mechanisms; hair biology;
keratinocyte migration and extracellular matrix; stem cells; prostate
cancer; cutaneous viruses; tissue engineering and skin equivalents.
The Centre also runs a successful postgraduate programme for Clinical
Dermatology, largely for primary care physicians, as well as undergraduate
teaching. In 1997 she was appointed Dean for Research, St Bartholomews
and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry. In 1999 she was
awarded the DSc, became a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
and became Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
In 2002 she became Joint Director of Research and Development for
Barts and the London Trust/School of Medicine and Dentistry. In 2006,
she became Head of College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing at
Dundee University and continues to research in skin cancer and genetic
disease. She was awarded an OBE in the 2006 Birthday Honours List for
services to medicine.

EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
ESDR
DERMATOlOGy IN EUROPE
The ESRF is supported by the three major dermatological societies
in Europe; the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR),
the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) and the
European Dermatology Forum (EDF). The ESRF is also supported
by the René Touraine Foundation.
The ESDR was founded in 1970 and is
the largest investigative dermatology
society in Europe. Its role is to promote
and support laboratory and clinical
science related to dermatology with the
aim of gaining a greater understanding
of skin disease susceptibility and
improving diagnosis and treatment of
skin disorders. The interactions between
clinicians and scientists in this Society,
both within and as a result of its conferences,
over the past four decades has led to
significant advances in many clinical
areas, including skin cancer, inflammatory
skin diseases such as psoriasis and
eczema, genetic skin disorders and
a wide variety of skin infections.
EADV
The EADV was founded in 1987 with
the aim of promoting continuing medical
education in dermatology and venereology
across Europe. Its roles include improving
the quality of patient care through the
dissemination of the results of research
and clinical experience to all Dermato-
Venereologists in Europe and to act
as an advocate on behalf of patients with
skin and venereal disorders and their
physicians. The Academy has played an
important role in harmonising the training
of Dermato-Venereologists and clinical
care for their patients through its
symposia and conferences and through
its affiliations with other sister societies
(e.g. UEMS and EDF).
HOW TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION
The ESRF receives its funding from Corporations, Non-Profit
Organisations and Individuals, as well as through other donations
and legacies. Corporate support of the foundation is essential to the
future of the Foundation and the ESRF is actively seeking donations
from companies and corporations wishing to assist the development
of dermatological research in Europe.
EDF
DERMATOlOGy IN EUROPE
PARTNERS
Formed in 1997 as an organisation dedicated to
improving the healthcare needs of dermatology
patients in Europe. One of its core aims is to
improve standards in the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of skin disorders. This is achieved
through a number of mechanisms including:
(i) production of regular evidence-based
pan-European guidelines on management
of skin diseases, (ii) provision of a pan-
European residents teaching forum
(Euroderm Excellence), (iii) publication
of a directory of European dermatology
(EDF White Book) and (iv) representation
of the speciality to healthcare providers,
government agencies, patient organisations
and industry. The EDF firmly believes that
a better standard of care for patients with
skin diseases will be achieved through
closer interactions between clinicians
and scientists at a European level.
RENé TOURAINE FOUNDATION
EUROPEAN SKIN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The René Touraine Foundation for
Dermatological Research, is a European non
profit and non governmental organisation set up
in 1991. The aim of the Foundation is to connect
dermatologists, scientists, government officials,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry
representatives in order to promote therapeutic
progress in dermatology. Through its European
Scientific board, the Foundation provides grants
to European dermatologists/ scientists for
training in dermatological research in another
European country, organises/participates in
scientific meetings and offers free consultation
of a reference book on dermatological treatment.
The Foundation has also built a website to
connect national psoriasis clubs, and coordinate
a specific network between Mediterranean
countries with the aim to improve skin care
and social integration of children suffering
from severe genodermatoses.
Corporate sponsorship of the ESRF is a mutually advantageous arrangement.
Corporate sponsors will benefit from:
• Association with the ESRF: The Foundation is an organisation of public utility
providing funds to researchers throughout Europe for the benefit of everyone.
Corporate sponsors will be acknowledged on the ESRF website and in
printed materials.
• Participation in the ESRF: Approved sponsors may appoint a representative to
the “Benefactors’ Board”, a forum for communicating with the Board of Trustees
of the ESRF and for meeting with opinion leaders.
For further information please contact Thomas Florestan at the ESRF Office:
office@euroskinresarch.org