Remembering Dr. Craig Leonardi
The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) remembers Dr. Craig Leonardi, founding member and former President, whose research shaped modern psoriasis treatment.
Thursday, October 29, 2026
IPC International Fellowship Program
Additional Information
Applications for the 2028 IPC Fellowship Program will be accepted from September 1 through 30, 2027.
Clinical fellowship applicants must hold an MD degree or equivalent, and be within five years of completion of specialization OR in training to achieve such specialization (e.g. Fellow, Resident, Registrar, etc.).
Research fellowship applicants may hold either an MD or PhD degree and must be within five years of training completion.
All applicants should have a demonstrated interest in psoriasis.
WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP INVOLVE?
Research Track Details:
Research fellows will be matched with clinical, translational, or laboratory-based psoriasis research mentors. Fellows are expected to observe and contribute to an active study or co-develop a small-scale research project with their mentor. The program emphasizes flexibility, relationship-building, and foundational research skill development as well as active interaction between research and clinical care to foster long-term collaborations. The on-site visit will last up to 12 weeks, and financial support will be $1,100 per week.
Clinical Track Details:
Clinical fellows will be matched with mentors primarily involved in clinical practice and patient care. Fellows are expected to observe and develop their patient treatment skills. The program emphasizes clinical practice learning and skill development as well as active interaction between clinical care and research. The on-site visit will be for a minimum of two weeks up to four weeks, and financial support will be $1,100 per week.
Both the Research and Clinical Fellowships include:
In-person and Virtual Mentoring
- Fellows are paired with an IPC Councilor or Board Member focusing on clinical practice or research.
- The fellow and mentor have planned communications throughout the year through in-person and virtual meetings, email, video, and other opportunities.
- Fellows select and attend virtual co-mentoring sessions with additional key opinion leaders to discuss specific topics, treatment strategies, or cases involving psoriasis.
Congress attendance
- Fellows attend a major scientific congress during the year they are selected, with expenses covered. The congress may include AAD, EADV, RADLA, SID, ESDR, or other approved congresses.
- Fellows are invited to participate in IPC activities during their selected congress, including working group meetings, symposia, IPC member meetings, and other events.
- At the conclusion of the one-year fellowship, participants will summarize the experience and what they learned at the IPC Think Tank.
Other
- Fellows are invited to participate in ongoing IPC activities during the year of their Fellowship.
- Fellows attend virtual classes taught by industry-leading dermatologists covering various psoriasis topics.
- Fellows may be featured in various IPC communications, including the IPC Psoriasis Review newsletter, the IPC website, and the IPC annual report.
- Upon completion, Fellows receive ongoing communications from the IPC and the opportunity to become an IPC Junior Councilor.
HOW ARE FELLOWS PLACED?
- IPC Councilors and Board Members volunteer to host a fellow at their location. Potential sites are in Asia, Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.
- IPC will provide the final site list to the awarded fellows, who will select their top three choices.
- Fellows are matched with the IPC Councilor or Board Member who best fits their learning objectives.
- The Fellowship Advisory Committee will determine the final matches.
- IPC reaches out to the sites to request a placement on behalf of the fellow.
WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE FELLOWSHIP COVER?
Awarded fellows receive a stipend to cover the following expenses:
- Travel and living expenses for the on-site observation period.
- Registration and travel-related expenses for attending a congress.
- Travel-related expenses for attending the IPC Think Tank.
For questions about the IPC International Fellowship Program, please send an email to Fellowship@psoriasiscouncil.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Current CV
- Your CV should include any psoriasis-related publications or research grants received.
- A 300–500-word Personal Statement, which includes:
- What motivated you to apply for this fellowship
- A description of your career goals, particularly the role you want to play in psoriasis care or research.
- How you envision this fellowship impacting your future career in psoriasis, and how this experience will specifically prepare you to be a leader in psoriasis care or research.
- How your region or local area would benefit if you received this fellowship, addressing how this could contribute to IPC’s goal to improve the health and well-being of people with psoriasis worldwide.
- RESEARCH APPLICANTS: Please add further details on your research interests (e.g., stating if these are focused on basic, clinical, translational, or epidemiological research). Please elaborate on research performed so far, and also which areas you would like to focus on and develop moving forward.
SPECIAL NOTE: If AI is used to assist in writing the Personal Statement, ensure it has been adequately reviewed before submission. In addition to covering the points above, it should reflect the applicant’s enthusiasm for developing their skills in psoriasis and reflect the applicant’s unique voice and perspective.
- At least one letter of recommendation (maximum two) from an educational or clinical supervisor, or IPC Councilor or Board Member, on the author’s official letterhead.
- The letter should attest to the applicant’s character and potential to benefit from the fellowship.
- This letter should describe any impact that a fellowship award could have on psoriasis care in the applicant’s institution and/or region
SPECIAL NOTE: Please do not submit a general letter of recommendation. Letters should be written by someone who knows the applicant personally and can specifically speak to their interest in psoriasis, as well as their suitability for this fellowship opportunity.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application period for the 2027 IPC Fellowship program is now closed. Applications for the 2028 Fellowships will be accepted from September 1 through 30, 2027.
Fellowship Program Advisory Committee
WORKING TOWARDS CONTINUAL PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE IPC INTERNATIONAL FELLOWS
Project Description
The IPC International Fellowship Program Advisory Committee is comprised of IPC Board Members, Councilors, and Junior Councilors who work to ensure that the further development of IPC’s Fellowship program is in keeping with and in support of IPC’s strategic plan in partnership with the executive team. Together they review, analyze, and generate new ideas to work towards continual program improvement in the best interests of the past, present and future IPC International Fellows.
Project Leaders
Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
IPC Treasurer
Cristina Echeverría, MD
Instituto de Rehabilitación Psicofísica (IREP)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
IPC Councilor
Working Group Members
- Priscilla Angwenyi, Kenya
- Daniela Armijo, Chile
- Cristina Echeverría, Argentina
- Wilson Liao, United States
- Andrew Pink, United Kingdom
- Patricia Tinio, Philippines
- Fernando Valenzuela, Chile
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