Profiles

Dr. April Armstrong is Professor and Chief of Dermatology at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She oversees and leads the dermatology division, including managing clinical operations and promoting research and education. She also serves as Co-Director for Network Resources at the UCLA Clinical and Translational Research Institute. Prior to being the Chief of Dermatology at UCLA, Dr. Armstrong served as Associate Dean for Clinical Research at the University of Southern California (USC) for 8 years, where she led initiatives to improve research infrastructure and streamline processes to provide an efficient environment for research. She also held two prominent leadership positions at USC, serving as Vice Chair in the Department of Dermatology and Director of Clinical Research Support at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Research Institute. Prior to being at USC, Dr. Armstrong served as Vice Chair and Director of Clinical Trials and Outcomes Units at the University of California Davis and later at the University of Colorado.
Dr. Armstrong is an internationally renowned dermatologist and clinical researcher in inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. She is a federally funded investigator whose research focuses on (1) evaluating novel systemic and topical therapies for inflammatory skin diseases, (2) identifying treatment goals and comorbidities associated with skin diseases, and (3) increasing patient access using innovative, technology-enabled healthcare delivery methods. Dr. Armstrong has conducted over 150 clinical trials and published over 400 articles in scientific journals. Her research has been supported by the NIH, AHRQ, PCORI, Dermatology Foundation, and the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Dr. Armstrong is also a passionate educator, having mentored numerous medical students, residents, and postdoctoral research fellows. She has received institutional and national teaching awards for her educational efforts.

Dr. Armstrong has a long history of service to the medical profession on a national and international level. She serves as a board member of the American Academy of Dermatology, immediate Past Chair of the Medical Board at the National Psoriasis Foundation, Co-President of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), councilor for the International Eczema Council and International Psoriasis Council, and a board member for the International Dermatology Outcome Measures and the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery (CalDerm). She is also an editorial board member of JAMA Dermatology and had also served on the editorial boards of JAAD and other journals. Dr. Armstrong is past President of the American DermatoEpidemiology Network and Sacramento Valley Dermatology Society.

Dr. Armstrong obtained her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed dermatology residency at the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program. She also obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health.