Meet the Associate | Raj Chovatiya, MD PhD MSCI

IEC Associate Raj Chovatiya, MD PhD MSCI, is clinical associate professor at Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School and founder and director of the Center for Medical Dermatology + Immunology Research in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

His clinical and research focus includes the intersection of cutaneous immunology and inflammatory disease, optimizing patient-centered care, understanding chronic disease burden (especially in understudied inflammatory diseases), exploring health and social disparities, and improving care across diverse skin types.

He has published numerous abstracts and manuscripts and has been nationally and internationally recognized for his contributions as a clinician, educator, researcher, and leader. He received his MD and PhD in immunology from Yale University and completed his residency, postdoctoral research fellowship, and MS in clinical investigation at Northwestern University, where he also served as chief resident.

 How does your vision or mission align with the IEC’s?

An important goal in my career has always been to elevate standards of care for patients and healthcare providers alike when it comes to atopic dermatitis and eczematous disease in general. To me, that means better understanding disease burden and disparities from the patient perspective and translating these principles utilizing clinical, educational, and research tools to impact the care provided by myself and my colleagues.

What is your proudest accomplishment in the atopic dermatitis (AD) space?

I’m most proud of my contributions to the conversation around heterogeneity as well as uplifting and reframing our views on diversity and disparities in AD.

What do you value most about being involved with the IEC?

Talking nerdy, pushing our field forward, and hanging out with friends? No brainer

What do you think will garner the most attention over the coming year in the field?

The answer is obvious: more approved therapies with more insightful data! We’re poised to double our options in the biologic realm, grow our non-steroidal choices in the topical realm, and discover deeper insights with head-to-head studies featuring our oral therapies. We have a fun year ahead.

What do you see as the biggest need among AD patients?

Will there be a one-size-fits-all systemic therapeutic that can improve both the efficacy and safety established by our first-generation type 2 inflammation blockers? Time will tell—but in the meantime, I’ll settle for a better understanding of clinical heterogeneity that allows for choosing the right treatment for the right patient (nearly) every time.

What's the most recent good thing you watched, listened to, or visited?

I’ll give you two standout songs from a couple of Chicago’s finest MCs who continue to put out stellar hip-hop tracks: Dreamin’ by Common and Pete Rock and No.1 Headband by Lupe Fiasco.