It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to be a Director of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS). I look forward to learning, sharing and contributing to the vision and mission of the ILDS as well as bring forth some of the challenges the ILDS can assist with in developing and creating access to dermatology care in low-resource countries, as well as establishing a diverse and inclusive organisation that is inclusive of dermatology needs globally.
I hail from Durban, South Africa, and live and work at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine as the Chair and Professor of Dermatology, as well as the Dean and Head of School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. I'm the only Female Dean amongst the 10 Medical schools Deans, and one of the first African female dermatologists in South Africa. I have since trained and mentored more than 40 dermatologists, many of whom have started and are heading well established successful public hospital skin clinics. My research interest and PhD focuses on ethnic skin and hair as well as HIV and Skin.
I am a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher with more than 85 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals as well as more than 15 chapters in international dermatology textbooks and 2 dermatology books which depict and are relevant to South Africans and Black Skin. I am a member of numerous international dermatology boards and societies eg Global Psoriasis Atlas, International Eczema Society, Skin of Color Society in the USA, AWDS, ASDV executive member and African Hair and International Hair Groups. I have been invited as guest speaker in more than 30 countries. I am also a member of the prestigious American Dermatology Association (ADA) and was the recipient of the 2020 Maria Duran award from the International Society of Dermatology (ISD). I am an advocate for diversity and inclusion in our societies.
Ncoza Dlova