Updates in Acne Pathophysiology and the Microbiome

Alyssa is an M.D. candidate at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. She graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. After many years of struggling with acne, she has personally experienced the transformative power of dermatology, and believes that healthy skin can change an individual from the outside in. As a future dermatologist, she hopes to approach the psychosocial manifestations of a patient’s skin condition with as much care and compassion as the physical manifestations.

In her free time, Alyssa practices yoga to nourish her mind and body. She also enjoys long-distance running, and views it as a form of moving meditation. She is currently training for a marathon.

Dr. Neal Bhatia is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California. He serves as Director of Clinical Dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research. He is as chief medical editor for Practical Dermatology.He has a background in immunology and has interests in mechanisms of therapy, skin cancer, and medical dermatology. Aside from teaching at medical conferences, he sits on several editorial boards and is an active teacher for dermatologists, industry, and patients.

Dr. Raja Sivamani is a board-certified dermatologist and practices as an integrative dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit.He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California Northstate University, College of Medicine.He engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research.He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skin care.