22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium
Join us for the 22nd Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium on March 26, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
The 22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, themed Championing Evidence-Based Dermatology and Collaboration, will explore how dermatologists can lead with evidence and integrity and showcase how collaboration across specialties can solve complex, systemic cases. Through a focus on evidence-based care and interdisciplinary leadership, the program will champion the essential role of the dermatologist as a scientific leader, trusted educator, and collaborative partner—at the forefront of advancing health equity and restoring public trust.
The SOCS Scientific Meetings Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Janiene D. Luke and Temitayo Ogunleye, welcomes you to join and is planning an incredible program.
Schedule Overview
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Early Check-in / Badge Pick-up |
Thursday, March 26, 2026
7:00 AM - 8:15 PM
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM Check-In / Badge Pick-Up |
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Medical Student Breakfast |
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Annual General Business Meeting |
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM* 22nd Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium |
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM* Awards |
6:30 PM - 8:15 PM* Reception |
Location/ Venue
Our meeting will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Denver, CO in conjunction with the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting. Our venue will be announced in late November.
For more information, please visit the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting website.
Registration for the 22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium will open November 4, 2025.
Scientific Meetings Committee
Janiene D. Luke, MD, FAAD (Co-chair)
Temitayo Ogunleye, MD, FAAD (Co-chair)
Bryan T. Carroll, MD, PhD, FAAD
Noreen Galaria, MD, FAAD
Marwa Hakimi, MD
Courtney M. Johnson, MD, PhD, FAAD
Efe Kakpovbia, MD, MSc, FAAD
Jun Kang, MD, FAAD
Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD
Nicole Negbenebor, MD, FAAD
Stavonnie Sheri Patterson, MD, FAAD
Maritza A. Perez, MD, FAAD
William D. Shipman, III, MD, PhD, FAAD
Jessica Shiu, MD, PhD, FAAD
Neelam Ajit Vashi, MD, FAAD
Carmen Myrie Williams, MD, FAAD
iPoster Galleries
Scientific iPoster Activity Timeline and Status
Activity |
Timeline |
Status |
Call for Abstracts |
August 4 - October 6, 2025 (Noon CT) |
Closed |
Scientific Committee Review |
October - November 2024 |
In progress |
Notifications to Abstract Primary Authors |
November 2024 |
|
Accepted Authors: iPoster Upload |
November 20 - December 15, 2025 |
|
Featured iPoster Notifications |
Early February 2026 |
|
Scientific and Industry iPoster Galleries Go Live |
February 17, 2026 |
|
iPoster Online Live Chat & Video Sessions (Virtual) |
March 15 - 19, 2026 |
|
For the Scientific iPoster gallery only, scientific poster uploads are due December 15, 2025 by 11:59 AM (CST). Please refer to your iPoster upload instructions emailed to you for more details.
Selected abstracts will be invited to present at the Scientific Symposium with either an oral abstract presentation or a digital iPoster via iPoster Sessions. Industry partners* will have an opportunity to also create interactive iPoster with various content, including high-resolution images, videos, audio, and more. The Scientific and Industry iPoster Galleries will be available from February 17, 2026, and will remain available for one year after the event.
Participants can engage with the content and leave messages. Authors will have the flexibility to select the iPoster Online Live Session dates and times within the iPoster platform.
*Based on sponsorship level.
Important Information:
- iPoster Upload: Starts on November 20, 2025, and ends on December 15, 2025
- iPoster Online Live Sessions: March 15 - 19, 2026
- iPosters will be reviewed and rated in December and January, with the top 10 iPosters selected as featured iPosters at the Symposium on March 26, 2026. Notifications will be sent out in February.
- Please note that abstract changes are not permitted for submitted and accepted abstracts.
- The platform supports interactive multimedia content, and attendees can engage with you virtually during live session chat hours.
Technical Support:
For help with tutorials, guides, and samples, please visit the iPosterSessions Resources page. Should you need any additional assistance, please consult the iPosterSessions AI Chatbot. Any questions unable to answered by the chatbot can be escalated to human support.
Accessibility and Inclusivity:
iPoster Sessions enhances accessibility and inclusivity at research events by providing a web-based platform that complies with WCAG and ADA standards, ensuring full participation for individuals with disabilities. The system supports diverse learning styles with multimedia features and promotes inclusivity by eliminating barriers for underrepresented groups. This allows attendees to engage with content from any internet-connected device, making scientific communication more dynamic and equitable. Click here to learn more.
Call for Abstracts
The Call for Abstracts is closed
Please review the submission guidelines below before submitting your abstract via AwardForce. Note that submitting your abstract does not register you to attend the Symposium. If selected for an oral or poster presentation, registration for the Symposium is required.
General Information
- Eligibility: The presenting author must be a SOCS member and available to present the abstract at the Symposium. For abstracts submitted by medical students, residents, and research trainees, the presenting author’s attending, mentor, last author or principal investigator must also be a SOCS member.
- Membership: This program is reserved for Skin of Color Society members and pending members with a complete membership application. Non-members should submit a complete membership application by Thursday, October 2 to meet eligibility requirements. Apply for membership here.
- Submission Deadline: Monday, October 6, by 12:00 PM CT.
- After this date/time, the submission site will close automatically and can no longer accept submissions.
There will be no exceptions to this policy.
- After this date/time, the submission site will close automatically and can no longer accept submissions.
- Notification: Acceptance and rejection notices will be sent to the submitter in November 2025.
- Registration: All accepted presenters must register for the 22nd Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium to be included in the program.
Presenting Author Responsibilities
The first author listed for each abstract will serve as the presenting author and primary contact for all correspondence regarding the abstract.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure all authors have read the abstract and agreed to be co-authors.
- Obtain disclosure information from all authors.
- Submit the abstract application via AwardForce.
- Forward all correspondence to all authors.
- If selected, register for the Scientific Symposium.
Submission Guidelines
The Skin of Color Society encourages the submission of original studies or observations of interest to dermatologists, particularly those focused on skin of color.
Presentation Types:
- Oral Abstract Presentations: Exclusively available to members in the Resident, Research Trainee, and Medical Student categories.
- Poster Presentations: Available to members eligible for oral presentations and those in the Fellow, International Fellow, and Associate member categories.
Abstract Requirements:
- Abstracts must address scientific or clinical questions, detail clinical observations, or contain primary scientific data.
- Incomplete abstracts or those lacking data will not be considered.
- Case studies or reports will not be accepted.
Ineligible Data:
- Data published by the abstract submission deadline.
- Data presented at the AAD Annual Meeting in the same calendar year.
- Encore presentations, including those previously presented at SOCS as a poster or oral presentation.
- Data submitted and/or sponsored by industry
Clinical Trials:
-
Interim analysis must align with the original protocol and be statistically valid.
-
Follow-up data must present significant new information.
Compliance:
- All research involving human and animal subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association.
Additional Information:
- No revisions are allowed after the submission deadline.
Submission Requirements
All submissions must include:
- Abstract: A clear, concise, and structured abstract of no more than 250 words in English, adhering to sections for Introduction/Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, and Conclusions.
- Title: A title in Title Case.
- Author Information: Full names of all authors and their institutional affiliations.
- Membership:
- The presenting author must be a SOCS member.
- The presenting author’s attending, mentor, last author or principal investigator (where applicable) must be a SOCS member.
- References: Up to five references or citations, formatted according to any major academic citation style.
- Conflict of Interest: Disclosure of conflicts of interest for all authors
Abstract Withdrawal
- Withdrawal Requests: Written requests for withdrawal must be submitted by January 22, 2026.
Policy Compliance
- SOCS reserves the right to withdraw abstracts that violate its policies, including those involving previous publication, scientific unsoundness, or inaccuracies.
Our Sponsors
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their invaluable support of the 22nd Annual Scientific Symposium. Your contributions play a vital role in the success of this event and our ongoing efforts to advance innovation, collaboration, and excellence in dermatology.
Champion:
Ally:
Friend:
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
View our sponsorship prospectus: