Today, Pfizer Canada ULC and the Skin Spectrum Summit are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Research Scholarship program which aims to improve dermatological care for underrepresented populations, including those with deeper skin tones, Indigenous Peoples, and other racialized individuals.
This year’s winners are dermatology residents Dr. Jaycie Dalson from the University of Ottawa and Dr. Shakira Brathwaite from the University of Toronto.
Both scholarship winners were selected by an independent committee of Canadian dermatologists. Each recipient will receive a monetary scholarship to fund their innovative research projects.
“We are proud, for the third consecutive year, to recognize outstanding dermatology residents and support their ambitious efforts to advance equitable dermatologic care for Indigenous and racialized communities across Canada,” said Dr. Marissa Joseph, Chair of the 2025 Scholarship Steering Committee for the Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Research Scholarship. “As long as disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions persist in Canada, our work remains unfinished. I look forward to seeing the meaningful impact this year’s recipients will make on dermatologic practice across Canada.”
The winning projects focus on identifying and addressing prevalent disparities in dermatological care while also helping expand medical students’ knowledge about the experience of patients with skin of colour.
Dr. Jaycie Dalson’s project, “Bridging Skin and Smiles in Skin of Color: Leveraging Dental Visits in Ottawa for Mucosal Melanoma Education," aims to improve early detection of mucosal melanoma by collaborating with and educating dentists, empowering communities with culturally relevant education and creating a streamlined referral pathway for oral mucosa biopsies within Ottawa, Ontario.
“This project is such a meaningful opportunity for me, both personally and professionally. It reminds me why I chose Dermatology in the first place — to make medicine more inclusive, collaborative, and representative of the people we serve,” said Dr. Dalson. “Through this project, I’m honoured to help connect Dermatology and Dentistry in addressing mucosal melanomas in diverse skin tones. My goal is to help close the recognition gap and make early detection a shared responsibility rather than a missed opportunity.”
Dr. Shakira Brathwaite’s project focuses on enhancing care for remote and Indigenous populations in Ontario through localized interventions and sustainable frameworks.
“I am humbled and grateful to have received a 2025 Skin of Colour & Diversity Research Scholarship, which I plan to use to enhance longitudinal care for rural and Indigenous Ontarians and to support additional rural learning opportunities for future dermatologists," said Dr. Brathwaite.
Dr. Dalson and Dr. Brathwaite will each share the outcomes of their projects at the 2026 Skin Spectrum Summit annual conference in Toronto.
“Equity is a fundamental value at Pfizer, and we recognize that advancing equitable care starts with education and truly listening,” said Frédéric Lavoie, Specialty Care Lead for Pfizer Canada. “We’re honoured to support the Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Research Scholarship and the outstanding research that aims to enhance patient experiences and outcomes.”
“Change is a product of curiosity and commitment,” said Mitchell Shannon, CEO and Publisher of Chronicle Companies and Conference Secretariat of Skin Spectrum Summit. “The winners of this year’s scholarships are taking those qualities and setting out on new, innovative paths. We are confident their work will help bring us closer to the goal of more diverse, inclusive dermatology care for all.”
Pfizer Canada ULC is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that help extend and improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube.
Established in 1995, Chronicle Companies (www.chronicle.ca) creates original multi-platform content for medical practitioners, the Life Sciences industries, and the public, directed toward improving individuals' health and quality of life. Chronicle initiated the Skin Spectrum Summit (SSS), the first Canadian Conference on Ethnodermatology. Now in its tenth year, SSS is a landmark educational congress of healthcare professionals dedicated to providing better dermatologic care for Canada's diverse population. The conference provides education on treating patients across all skin types, emphasizing research and care for underserved patients. Learn more at www.skinspectrum.ca.
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