The Cutting Edge Research Grant Program unites education and innovation to encourage and stimulate clinical research and the transfer of new technologies from the research settings to surgical practice. Since 2000, the ASDS has awarded more than $1 million in clinical research funding in surgical oncology, lasers, neuromodulators, fillers, liposuction and other cosmetic procedures. This year, the following researchers were awarded funds to complete their studies:

• Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae-Harboe, MD, for “Collagenase Followed by Compression for the Treatment of Earlobe Keloids”
• Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD, for “Physician and Layman Perceptions of Skin Cancers and Cutaneous Surgery”
• Maria Lina M. Tsoukas, MD, PhD, for “Treatment of Actinic Keratoses in Healthy and Immunosuppressed Patients: A Randomized Split Face Comparison of Sequential 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy (ALA-PDT) to 5-FU or ALA PDT”
• Gagik Oganesyan, MD, PhD, for “Evaluation of Surgical Smoke and Its Management in Dermatologic Surgery”
• Arisa E. Ortiz, MD, for “A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of the 1320 nm Nd:YAG Laser for Treatment of Onychomycosis” 
• Raja Sivamani, MD, for “Photodynamic Therapy”
• Jill S. Waibel, MD, for “Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars Using Laser Assisted Corticosteroid Delivery VS. Laser Assisted 5-Floururacil Delivery” 

For more information or an application for next year’s program: visit Cutting Edge Research Grant.