Biographical summary
Afsaneh Alavi, M.D., is a Professor of Dermatology in Rochester, Minnesota, with a special interest in inflammatory disorders including psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).
Her clinical focus includes:
- Management of neutrophilic inflammatory disorders
- Sever cutaneous adverse drug reactions
- Management of chronic wounds, with concentration on inflammatory wounds
In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Alavi is active in research and education to provide mentorship to residents and fellows. Her research interests include wound healing, HS, and complex medical dermatology. Dr. Alavi has been Principal Investigator on more than 50 clinical trials and multiple translational research projects. She has authored multiple book chapters and continues to publish in high-impact scientific journals.
Dr. Alavi completed her dermatology residency both in Iran (1997) and Canada (2011) and completed a two-year fellowship in Wound Healing and a Master of Science in Community Health at the University of Toronto. She has received multiple awards for her care and education, including the Practitioner of the Year Award from the Canadian Dermatology Association in 2017, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Award from the HS Foundation in 2019, and the Supervisor of the Year award from Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in 2022.
Conditions treated
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2013
MSc - Community Health - Wound Healing and Preventative CareUniversity of Toronto
- 2011
ResidencyDepartment of Medicine, Dermatology, University of Toronto
- 2007
Fellow - Wound HealingDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto
- 1997
Residency - DermatologyKerman University of Medical Sciences
- 1988
MD - DermatologyKerman University of Medical Sciences
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2011
DermatologyRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada
Awards and honors
- 2021
Supervisor of the year award Mayo Clinic
- 2018
President's CupCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2017
Practitioner of the YearCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2010
Mentorship Award-University of Miami ( Mentor: Dr Robert Kirsner)Women's Dermatologic Society
- 2010
Best Oral Plenary Presentation by a Resident/Fellow AwardCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2010
Best Resident Research AwardDivision of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- 2010
Colin A Ramsay Resident Teacher AwardDivision of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- 2009
Best Poster Presentation by a Resident/Fellow AwardCanadian Dermatology Association
Professional memberships
- 2025
Co-Director2025 Wound Symposium
- 2023 - present
MemberMayo Clinic Pharmaceutical Formulary Subcommittee's (MCPFS)
- 2022 - present
Board MemberHidradenitis Suppurativa foundation
- 2021 - present
MemberHospital Committee
- 2021 - present
MemberHidradenitis Suppurativa foundation
- 2021 - present
MemberResearch Committee
- 2020 - present
MemberMinnesota Medical Association
- 2018 - 2021
ChairDerm Leadership Conference, Womens Dermatology Society
- 2018 - 2021
Board MemberWomens Dermatology Society
- 2017 - 2019
ChairContinental Board of North America, World Union of Wound Healing Societies; Continental Board of North America
- 2017 - 2019
Co-Chair, Hidradenitis Suppuritiva Advances SymposiumCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
- 2016 - 2020
Memeber - Steering CommitteeUniversity of Toronto
- 2016 - 2020
Fellowship DirectorUniversity of Toronto
- 2016 - 2020
Chair of EducationCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2016 - 2019
Regional DirectorCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2016
Chair, Hidradenitis Suppuritiva Advances SymposiumCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
- 2016 - present
Chair of International AffairWorld Union of Wound Healing Society
- 2015 - 2016
PresidentCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
- 2015 - present
Founder and MemberCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
- 2011 - 2019
MemberWounds Canada
- 2011 - present
MemberRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
- 2011 - present
MemberSociety of Investigative Dermatology
- 2005 - present
MemberCanadian Dermatology Association
- 2005 - present
MemberWomens Dermatology Society
- 2003 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Dermatology
- 2001 - present
MemberCanadian Medical Association
Publications
Research activities