Current Symposium Co-Directors
 | Tamia Harris-Tryon, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Basic Research, Dermatology UT Southwestern Medical Center | 2024-current | Tamia Harris-Tryon, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Harris-Tryon earned her combined medical and doctoral degree in cellular and molecular medicine at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and completed a residency in dermatology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, before joining the UT Southwestern faculty in 2014.
Dr. Harris-Tryon’s research focuses on the organisms that reside on the surface of the skin – collectively termed the “microbiota” – and how they impact the skin’s immune system. Her work is supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, UT Southwestern, and the Dermatology Foundation. In 2019, she earned the American Academy of Dermatology’s Young Investigator Award. |
 | Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, OHSU | 2021-current
| Dr. Leachman completed a Dermatology Residency and a Research Fellowship in Dermatologic Oncology at Yale School of Medicine in 1998. She was recruited to the University of Utah following completion of her training, where she served as Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute until 2013. She was then recruited to become Chair of the Department of Dermatology at OHSU and Director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research Program at Knight Cancer Institute until 2025.
Dr. Leachman’s clinical practice focuses primarily on skin cancer, melanoma, and genetic syndromes that increase the risk for skin cancer or other internal malignancies. She is a strong advocate for skin screenings, patient education and community outreach and has led statewide efforts in Oregon to improve early diagnosis of melanoma to reduce death due to this disease. Her research has focused on melanoma in the basic science lab, through translational human studies/trials, and in the public health arena.
When not tending to patients, Dr Leachman loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter. She also loves to make yogurt and sourdough bread and can be found hiking regularly in Toll Creek Canyon with her dogs. |
 | Alex Ortega Loayza, M.D., M.C.R. Professor and Chair of Dermatology OHSU | 2025-current | Dr. Alex Ortega Loayza is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in both general and complex dermatology. He is also board-certified in internal medicine, and has completed his Master of Clinical Research. Dr. Ortega is particularly interested in the treatment of psoriasis, sarcoidosis, and pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Dr. Ortega is the Interim Chair of the OHSU Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Ortega’s research focuses on advancing diagnostic tools and treatment for the rare and often misdiagnosed condition of pyoderma gangrenosum. At OHSU, he has assembled a team of basic scientists, biostatisticians, and clinicians to form the pyoderma gangrenosum study team (PYGAS). He is also the co-leader of the Pyoderma Gangrenosum Group for the International Dermatology Outcome Measures and has been sponsored by the Medical Dermatology Society and American Academy of Dermatology to develop consensus guidelines to treat PG patients. Dr. Ortega enjoys working with medical students and residents in clinic as well as in scholarly activities and research projects. He has published several peer-reviewed papers, is a reviewer for several dermatology journals and has spoken at numerous medical conferences. |
Past Symposium Directors
 | Dennis Roop, Ph.D. | 2021-2025 | Professor of Dermatology Director, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus |
 | Molly Kulesz-Martin, Ph.D. | 2003 – 2021 | Professor of Dermatology and Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Sciences Univ. |
 | Jackie Bickenbach, Ph.D. | 2003 -2011 | Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa |
 | David Norris, M.D. | 1991 -2003 | Professor and Chair of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine |
 | Kirk D. Wuepper, M.D. | 1980 – 1992 | Professor of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Sciences Univ. |
 | William Montagna, Ph.D. | 1950 – 1980 | Director of the Oregon Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Sciences Univ. |