Dr. Kim’s laboratory focuses on neuroimmune mechanisms that underlie skin inflammation and itch. He discovered the presence of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the skin, and elucidated their contribution to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in both mice and humans. These cells have emerged as primary sources of the type 2 cytokines, critical targets for biologic therapy in AD and other allergic disorders. In 2017, the Kim Lab was the first to identify the functionality of IL-4/13 and Janus kinases (JAKs) in sensory neurons as master regulators of chronic itch. Dr. Kim led the design of the pivotal PhII trial for topical ruxolitinib cream (Incyte) for AD which its currently in PhIII. He holds a patent for the use of JAK inhibitors in chronic itch. Dr Kim is on the SAB for Abrax Japan, Granular Therapeutics, National Eczema Association, and Cell Reports Medicine.

Dr. Harris is Chair of Dermatology, Director of the Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute, and Director of the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center at UMass Medical School. He is a dermatologist and physician-scientist, caring for patients in a vitiligo specialty clinic and running a research laboratory focused on understanding disease pathogenesis and developing new treatments. His group integrates basic, translational, and clinical research strategies to accomplish this. As a result, early clinical trials in vitiligo have shown success. Dr. Harris founded Villaris Therapeutics, whose focus is to develop an effective, long-lasting treatment for vitiligo, and NIRA Biosciences, focused on inflammatory skin diseases.

Sarbjit S. Saini, MD, is a Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  Following medical school & a residency at the University of Michigan, Dr Saini completed an allergy fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where he joined the faculty in 1997. He became the allergy program director in 2008, overseeing the training of more than 35 clinical fellows. Dr. Saini’s research focusses on IgE receptor biology in basophils and mast cells, and he has served as principal and co-investigator for basic and translational studies examining the role of IgE in allergic airway disease, anaphylaxis and chronic urticaria. He has published over 100 journal articles, book chapters and editorials and is the current editor for urticaria, angioedema and mast cell disorders for UpToDate. He is an active board member of the American Board of Allergy & Immunology, the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.