The BSID medal 2026 is awarded to Professor Nick Reynolds

The BSID Committee is delighted to announce Professor Nick Reynolds as the recipient of the 2026 BSID Medal for Contributions to Dermatological Research.

Professor Nick Reynolds is Professor of Dermatology at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. After qualifying from Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, he trained in dermatology in Bristol before securing British Association of Dermatologists and Psoriasis Association Fellowship funding to undertake research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. He returned to the UK to complete his clinical training and was appointed Senior Lecturer and Consultant Dermatologist in Newcastle, becoming Chair of Dermatology in 2001.

Through a Wellcome Trust Research Leave Fellowship, he established a sustained translational research programme investigating molecular signalling in keratinocytes and inflammatory skin disease. In parallel, he led influential investigator-initiated clinical trials in atopic eczema that have informed national guidelines and therapeutic decision-making. His 2006 Lancet publication reported one of the first personalised medicine randomised controlled trials in dermatology, using pharmacogenetic-based dosing to guide therapy.

Working closely with computational scientists, his group pioneered the application of computer  modelling and systems biology to define mechanisms of therapeutic action and predict individual treatment responses. His research demonstrated that keratinocyte apoptosis induced by topical dithranol and 311 nm UVB phototherapy underpins epidermal remodelling in psoriasis, challenging the prevailing dogma. His group uncovered disease endotypes in atopic eczema and psoriasis that link to disease severity, BMI and genotypes, defining clinically relevant subgroups. His translational portfolio has been strengthened by close industry partnerships spanning Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, BBSRC CASE studentships and major MRC and Wellcome programmes.

He has been closely involved from inception in national real-world registries including BADBIR and A-STAR, generating evidence that has informed practice and safeguarded patient safety across the UK.

Beyond his own research, Professor Reynolds has played a major role in strengthening national research infrastructure. He led the Newcastle MRC/EPSRC Molecular Pathology Node and now co-leads the Skin and Oral Disease theme within the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre and a NIHR programme on Artificial Intelligence for Multiple Long-Term Conditions and Polypharmacy, alongside leadership within the Newcastle NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration. These initiatives have brought clinicians, scientists and data specialists together to develop translatable biomarkers and digital tools, firmly positioning dermatology within the UK’s translational and data science strategy.

He has provided sustained leadership, serving as Chair of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology (BSID; 2000–2003), President of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR; 2013–14), inaugural Chair of UK TREND (2013–2017) and President of the European Dermatology Forum (EDF; 2022-23). He served on the Board of the International Eczema Council, co-leads its Education Committee, and is Associate Editor and co-author of Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. His honours include the Michael Fuell, Rudi Cormane and Eugene M. Farber Lectureships, the Arthur Rook Oration, Honorary Membership of the ESDR (2023), and two appointments as NIHR Senior Investigator (2019, 2023).

A committed mentor, he has championed academic training and interdisciplinary collaboration nationally and internationally, and embedded patient and public involvement across his research programmes, ensuring meaningful partnership from inception through to implementation.