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Amy Paller, MS, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg Medical School
Chicago, Illinois, United States
IPC Board Member
- Amy Paller is the Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair of Dermatology, Professor of Pediatrics, and Principal Investigator of the NIH-funded Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
- She is the President of the International Society of Pediatric Dermatology (ISPD) and President-Elect of the American Dermatological Association (ADA). She has previously served as President of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID), the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD), the International Eczema Council (IEC), the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), and the Women’s Dermatological Society (WDS).
- An author of almost 700 original publications, Dr. Paller is an NIH-funded investigator conducting laboratory-based and clinical investigations related to psoriasis.
- She has led international epidemiological studies on psoriasis and developed tools for measuring patient-related outcomes in pediatric psoriasis. She is actively researching psoriasis-related obesity, cutaneous innervation, and new nanotechnology-based treatment approaches.
- Paller joined the IPC Board of Directors in 2024 and became an IPC Councilor in 2010. She is the Chair of IPC’s Pediatric Global Burden Task Force.
Dr. Amy Paller’s extensive career in pediatric dermatology has been fueled by her passion for improving care for children with genetic and inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis. A dual specialist in pediatrics and dermatology, she has spearheaded numerous trials and studies on pediatric psoriasis, including the landmark 2008 study of the biologic etanercept. “I have specialized in pediatric psoriasis for decades and have been the principal investigator for dozens of trials and research studies of pediatric psoriasis,” Dr. Paller explained. To date, she has authored 81 psoriasis-related publications out of nearly 700 in total.
Reflecting on her work in academia, she shared, “I have been at Northwestern University School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Chicago for most of my career, and I have had the pleasure of combining patient care, research, and teaching.” Dr. Paller’s research includes developing novel nanotechnology treatments and investigating the immune effects of obesity in psoriasis using mouse models. Her curiosity led her to discover that “the immunophenotype of ichthyosis, a monogenic epidermal differentiation disorder, resembles psoriasis,” which prompted her to explore repurposing biologics used for psoriasis to treat ichthyosis.
Beyond her research, Dr. Paller has significantly contributed to the field through her leadership in dermatology organizations. “I love to make things happen,” she said, which is evident in her leadership roles across numerous societies. She is the President of the International Society of Pediatric Dermatology (ISPD) and President-Elect of the American Dermatological Association (ADA). In 2013, Dr. Paller co-founded the International Eczema Council (IEC), serving as its first President, and she also co-founded the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA). “Inspired by the IPC, I co-founded the International Eczema Council and became its first President,” Dr. Paller added, underscoring her drive to create global collaborations in dermatology.
Dr. Paller’s dedication to improving care for patients with severe diseases is a driving force behind her work. She finds fulfillment in the transformative effects of new treatments for psoriasis, particularly in helping families affected by the condition. “As for all of us clinicians, my greatest joy is improving the quality of life of a child and family through introducing a new direction in care for those with more severe diseases – and the transformation of care for psoriasis has enabled me to reduce the burden for so many families since joining the IPC,” Dr. Paller said, highlighting her passion for advancing psoriasis care.
Dr. Paller’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of dermatologists and researchers is another vital aspect of her career. “I have had the pleasure of including hundreds of students, residents, and fellows from around the world in research and patient care,” she noted. “Many of these colleagues now lead departments or divisions and, thus, have ‘played it forward’ by helping families with psoriasis.”
The IPC has been a critical part of her journey, particularly in pediatric psoriasis research. Dr. Paller led a major retrospective analysis involving 20 sites across North America and Europe, resulting in two landmark publications.
“The IPC has been integral to this journey as an organization that facilitates research, promotes psoriasis awareness about new management options, and encourages the next generation of physicians and researchers.”
—Amy Paller, MS, MD
As Dr. Paller continues her work on the IPC Board, she is eager to further elevate the focus on pediatric psoriasis. “I look forward to amplifying the focus on pediatric psoriasis during my tenure on the Board and finding new directions that increase our understanding of disease and our outcomes from management,” she said.
Dr. Paller’s leadership and commitment to enhancing psoriasis research, especially for children, continues to inspire the global dermatology community.
