Joel M. Gelfand MD MSCE is the James J. Leyden Professor (with tenure) of Dermatology and Epidemiology, Director (founding) of the Center for Clinical Sciences in Dermatology, and Director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in psoriasis, clinical epidemiology, drug safety, and clinical trials. Dr. Gelfand is the author of over 330 scientific publications cited over 38,000 times (H index 99). He is Deputy Editor for Clinical Research of the Journal Investigative Dermatology. He is the recipient of the American College of Epidemiology 2023 Outstanding Contributions Award, the American Skin Association’s Psoriasis Achievement Award, the Lady Barbara Colyton’s Award for Autoimmune research, the National Psoriasis Foundation’s scientific achievement award, the American Dermatoepidemiology Network’s Founders award, and is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Psoriasis Council and the Medical Dermatology Society. He has given over 10 named lectureships and keynote addresses. He has received grants from NIH, FDA, PCORI, and the National Psoriasis Foundation to support his independent research program. His research redefined psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disease that enhances the risk of cardiovascular events and premature mortality resulting in changes in standard of care guidelines. The overarching goal of his research and clinical practice is to improve psoriasis patient outcomes in the skin and joints, while lowering the risk of diabetes, CV disease and mortality.