Resident of the Dermatology, Venereology, and Aesthetics Specialist Doctor Education Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University (PPDS DVE FK-KMK UGM), dr. Nikko Vanda Limantara, has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Straus and Katz Scholarship from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the largest dermatology association in the United States. The scholarship provided is a travel grant in the form of financial support for visa processing, travel to the United States, and accommodation during participation in the AAD Annual Meeting held in Orlando, United States, from March 6-11, 2025.
dr. Nikko said that the contribution that led to his selection as a recipient of the 2025 AAD Straus and Katz Scholarship was his participation in studies related to leprosy. This is because leprosy is a skin disease that remains prevalent in Indonesia, although it is less common in the United States. The study is a descriptive research examining the conditions of leprosy that do not appear like typical leprosy, which can sometimes make diagnosis difficult.
“Therefore, we are raising this issue so that we can share it with dermatologists who are not in Indonesia, who may not encounter leprosy cases in their respective countries, so that they can learn about tropical dermatology from Indonesia,” explained dr. Nikko.
In the process of obtaining the scholarship, dr. Nikko explained that he applied to the Indonesian Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists (PERDOSKI). PERDOSKI then selected and provided a letter of recommendation for him to apply to the AAD, where he was selected again. Finally, Dr. Nikko successfully obtained the 2025 Straus and Katz AAD Scholarship and attended the AAD Annual Meeting, which was attended by around 19,000 participants from around the world, ranging from DVE specialists, residents, general practitioners, undergraduate students, exhibitors, to industry representatives.
“At the Annual Meeting in Orlando, I participated in various events, ranging from leadership training for doctors and dermatology residents who received scholarships, attending symposiums, visiting exhibitions there, as well as networking,” said dr. Nikko.
dr. Nikko Vanda Limantara’s contribution as a DVE resident at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM, as a recipient of the Straus and Katz AAD 2025 Scholarship, aligns with FK-KMK UGM’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Point 3: Good Health and Well-being, Point 4: Quality Education, and Point 17: Partnerships for the Goals. (Author: Citra/Translator: Tedy A)
