Patient Scholarship Recipients: 2026 Cohort
The Patient Expert Scholarship offered by GlobalSkin empowers patient leaders through education and support. We are proud to financially support the learning journeys of 15 patient leaders from 13 countries and 12 distinct disease areas. The 15 patient leaders will participate in the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme which is an educational experience that provides knowledge and understanding of the medicine research and clinical trial development process.
During their year-long program, the 2026 Cohort will actively participate in a variety of collaborative activities through regular meetings and online groups to discuss challenges, share valuable study resources, and support each other’s progress.
Congratulations to all of the following Patient Expert Scholarship recipients in the 2026 Cohort. GlobalSkin wishes them all the very best on their educational journey.
The 2025 Patient Expert Training Graduates
In October 2025, following several months of intensive learning in medicine research and clinical trial development, the 15 Receipients of the 2025 GlobalSkin Patient Expert Scholarship convened in Spain for their graduation from the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme.
Throughout their year-long training journey, these participants developed the knowledge and skills needed to engage meaningfully in research and healthcare decision-making. As EUPATI Fellows, these patient leaders are now equipped to apply their expertise within their communities, contributing to stronger advocacy efforts and more inclusive healthcare systems.
GlobalSkin congratulates the following 2025 Patient Expert Scholarship Graduates on reaching this important milestone:
- Chiara Lional Salim – PsorAsia
- Hellen Wangui – Psoriasis Association of Kenya
- James Laban – Vitiligo Society of Kenya
- Julio Garcia – Fundación Nacional de Albinismo Simplemente Amigos
- Kristen Wheeden – United Porphyrias Association
- Martin Petroco – AEPSO
- Meredith Weiss – Gorlin Syndrome Alliance
- Murray Turner – Psoriasis Australia
- Ogo Maduewesi – SKAPH
- Rowena Lou Ortiz – Scleroderma Awareness Philippines (SAP), registered as Systemic Sclerosis Filipinas Inc.
- Sailaja Maganti – Prurigo Nodularis International
- Stefania Bettinelli – Le ali di Camilla APS ETS
- Vildana Mujkic – Association of patients with allergies, asthma and atopic dermatitis
- Warren Simangolwa – PCI Health
- Whitney Casal – Nevus Outreach
What Some of the 2025 Graduates Are Saying
"Heartfelt thanks to the exceptional EUPATI faculty and Secretariat team for their commitment to empowering patient voices, and to GlobalSkin - International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations for making this journey possible through the scholarship. Here’s to amplifying patient voices and co-creating a future where patients are not just participants — but partners — in research and innovation."
Rowena Lou Ortiz | Scleroderma Awareness Philippines
"I can’t express enough gratitude toward GlobalSkin - International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations for making this training possible as a cohort 8 scholarship recipient, and to my team at Nevus Outreach, Inc. for giving me the space to do this training. My most genuine hope is to use this knowledge and network to continue to advocate for the Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN) community"
Whitney Casal | Nevus Outreach
The 2024 Patient Expert Training Graduates
After a rigorous year of learning through the Patient Expert Training Programme, the 2024 graduates have gained in-depth knowledge of the medicines development process and the critical contributions patients make throughout. Equipped with these insights, they are ready to amplify their advocacy work and drive change within their communities. We warmly congratulate the 2024 cohort on this incredible achievement!
From October 21 - 24, 2024 in Madrid, Spain, fourteen recipients of the GlobalSkin Patient Expert Scholarship attended the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme Graduation event. Please join us in celebrating:
- Marc Yale – IPPF
- Paul Mendoza – PSORPHIL
- Joseph Harerimana – Anti Vitiligo Rwanda Foundation (AVF)
- Toni Roberts – DEBRA South Africa
- Francisco Tapia Besnier – Fundación Padece
- Jakub Sadocha – GlobalSkin
- Gary Lai – Hong Kong Psoriasis Patients Association
- Jaclyn Lanthier – Lichen Sclerosus Support Network
- Rachel Ogola – Eczema Society Kenya
- Špela Novak – Društvo Atopijski dermatitis
- Lauren Isbell – Nevus Outreach
What Some of the 2024 Graduates Are Saying
"As a patient advocate, learning the process of drug development, clinical trials, regulations, and HTA (Health Technology Assessment) is crucial. I have had the privilege of being part of the European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI) Patient Expert Program. This transformative journey has equipped me with invaluable knowledge and skills that I am eager to apply to our advocacy efforts. It is an honor to be recognized as a certified EUPATI Fellow and to stand among such remarkable individuals."
Paul Mendoza | Psoriasis Asia Pacific
"I recently completed the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme, and it was an incredibly enriching experience. The comprehensive curriculum, expert guidance, and interactive learning modules provided a deep understanding of drug development and patient advocacy. The networking opportunities were invaluable, connecting me with a global community of advocates. I am deeply grateful to Global Skin for their support, which made this transformative learning experience possible. This programme is a must for anyone passionate about advancing patient-centered research and development."
Jaclyn Lanthier | Lichen Sclerosus Support Network
The 2023 Patient Expert Training Graduates
After their year of intensive learning through the Patient Expert Training, the patient advocates below gained a comprehensive understanding of the medicines development process and the important role of patients throughout. They have been equipped with the knowledge that will take their patient advocacy work to the next level. We would like to congratulate the 2023 cohort on this achievement!
On the week of October 23-26, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic, the five recipients of the 2023 GlobalSkin Patient Expert Scholarship attended the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme Graduation event. Congratulations to:
- Jorge Perez – Vitamigos – Cuba
- Gaone Matewa – Beyond Vitiligo – South Africa
- Kelly Barta – Coalition of Skin Diseases – USA
- Melanie Funk – Eczema Support Australia
- Jennifer Austin, CEO, GlobalSkin
What Some of the 2023 Graduates Are Saying
“Through the EUPATI program, I have learned how medicines research and development works and the patient’s involvement in this process. GlobalSkin’s support has facilitated the acquisition of knowledge regarding the medicine research and development process. This will help us, Dermatology Organization leaders, to do a better job in our countries and communities.”
Jorge Luis Perez | Vitamigos Cuba
“The thing that I learned that was the most interesting, was the importance of clinical trials not only to the patients, but the involvement of different stakeholders. Especially having different bodies that govern all those involvements but on a neutral level for all stakeholders involved. GlobalSkin acquired me with skills that I will use for my community, not forgetting the great study group that I had. It really made a difference especially for me as someone has never enrolled for anything that’s medical related.”
Gaone Matewa | Beyond Vitiligo