Ajith Kannangara, MD

The Skin Clinic-Galle, Patient representative Skin Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

"As a dermatologist and patient-advocacy leader from Sri Lanka, I see firsthand how patients from low- and middle-income countries are often excluded from clinical research. Breaking Barriers matters to me because inclusive research is essential to ensure treatments are equitable, effective, and relevant for all populations."

Deepak Balak, MD

IPC Councilor, Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

"As a dermatologist, I want to make informed treatment choices for every person living with psoriasis, irrespective of age, gender, skin color, or ethnicity. I am grateful that IFPA is leading the Breaking Barriers project to improve diversity in clinical studies. This project is an important step toward reducing healthcare disparities in psoriasis." 

Fernando Valenzuela, MD, Professor

IPC Councilor, University of Chile and Probity Medical Research, Santiago, Chile

"The Breaking Barriers in Psoriatic Disease project is critical because research that lacks diversity fails both science and patients. This project is essential to ensure that evidence truly represents real-world populations and drives equitable, inclusive care worldwide."

Jensen Yeung, MD, Associate Prof.

IPC Councilor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"Intentional efforts to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion in clinical trial enrollment are necessary to expand access to clinical research and to ensure that trial results accurately reflect the populations most affected by disease."

Lars Werner

Director and patient organization representative, Psoriasisforeningen, Denmark

"Breaking Barriers matters because people living with psoriatic disease should have equal opportunity to participate in research and to benefit from the treatments that research makes possible. Representation is not just about fairness — it is about better evidence, better care, and better outcomes for everyone."

Mahira El Sayed, MD, Professor

IPC Board Member, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

"As a clinician, I see how unequal access to effective psoriasis treatment can lead to disability, stigma and psychological distress. I believe that access to treatment is a matter of health equity that should be supported by improving awareness, education, policy and patient empowerment. Being part of this project allows me to align my clinical experience with a broader mission, ensuring that no patient is left untreated because of where they live or what resources they have."

Robelle Tananguran

Board member and patient organization representative, PsorPhill, Philippines

"As someone who has been living with chronic autoimmune disease in the Philippines, I am saddened that there are limited treatment options for several diseases, like psoriasis. Newer therapies remain inaccessible and unavailable. We cannot doubt the importance of clinical trials in medicine research and development. But despite the advancement in technology and information dissemination, clinical trials are still a taboo and stigmatized concept for patients, family members and the community. I am participating in this project to give the perspective of the end-user -- the patient themselves. Moreover, I would like to emphasize the vital role of patient organizations and advocacy groups in eradicating the negative and false information on research and clinical trials."

Ruth Abekah

Executive director and patient organization representative, Psoriasis Ghana, Ghana

"I am happy to be part of this project because it will enable the Psoriasis Association of Ghana (Ghana) and Africa with mostly the necessary information needed for awareness, advocacy and research in our part of the world. Hence, filling the gaps in this area of study."

Raquel Vaz

Scientific Project Leader

Raquel is responsible for providing scientific advice and to ensure the gathering and sharing of trustworthy information to those living with psoriatic disease, healthcare providers, policy makers, and the community. Raquel has a PhD in Genetics and vast experience in clinical and translational research in rare diseases and in psoriasis.