​ABOUT
Our Story
The ASPCR was founded in 2004 with the aim of promoting research, education and relations between those in the Asia-Pacific region who are interested in dermatological problems that arise from pigment cell abnormalities. This organisation is a part of the International Federation for Pigment Cell Societies.
Leading clinicians, researchers, educators and industry representatives collaborate and interact with ASPCR members as well as the other organizations around the world that are a part of the IFPCS. The activities organized by the ASPCR include the annual ASPCR conference, which is hosted in a different Asian country each year.
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Access to the pigment cell and melanoma research (PCMR) journal, scholarships, opportunities to present research and social activity that promotes working relationships and friendships are all intrinsic benefits of ASPCR membership.
​Over The Years
Asia is the home for billions of people with pigmented skin among whom millions have at least some pigmentary problems.​
The need to have an organized forum to discuss pigmentary problems of the Asian population and to promote pigment cell research was a long felt need.
Founding of the Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research (ASPCR)
An historic meeting, held in Beijing, China on 21 May 2004 during the International Congress of Dermatology, was organized by a group of like-minded Asian dermatologists and researchers to establish the Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research (ASPCR). Many members representing several countries, including China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh actively participated and the interest shown by the participants in establishing an Asian pigment cell society was very encouraging. The Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research (ASPCR) was then founded, with Dr Prasad Kumarasinghe elected as President and Dr Davinder Parsad as Secretary General, to promote and encourage the exchange of information and collaboration between scientists and clinicians from Asia who are involved in basic or clinical research on pigmentary disorders. The secretariat of the ASPCR was established in Chandigarh, India.
The First ASPCR Conference
The first major activity of the ASPCR was to organize the First Conference of Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research on ‘Pigmentary Disorders in the Asian Skin’ in February 2005 in New Delhi, India. It was a great success with over 200 Asian delegates attending and faculty from the USA, France, UK, Japan, Singapore, India, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka making valuable contributions. The scientific program covered a wide array of topics on pigmentary disorders and updates on the latest advances in the field of pigment cell research. The International Federation for Pigment Cell Societies, IFPCS (represented by the then President, Prof. Dorothy Bennett) and the PASPCR, represented by Dr John Pawelek (President PASPCR) were very supportive of this fledgling society and its scientific endeavours from the very beginning.
Membership of The IFPCS
In less than a year, the ASPCR has attracted over 50 members, and is now a family of over 60 members from across Asia. During the 19th IPCC in 2005, the ASPCR was officially admitted to the International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies (IFPCS) and joins the three other established societies: European(ESPCR), Pan-American (PASPCR) and Japanese (JSPCR).
Other ASPCR Activities
The ASPCR plans to focus on pigmentary disorders more unique, prevalent or problematic to Asian patients, both at the laboratory and clinical levels and the meetings organized by the ASPCR will reflect this aim. The second ASPCR Conference on ‘New horizons in Pigment Cell Research and Pigmentary Disorders in Asia’ was held in Singapore, from 6 to 8 July 2007, with many world leaders in pigment cell research expected to address this meeting. A meeting focusing on Vitiligo was held in Chandigarh, India in November 2006, under the auspices of the ASPCR. In addition, the ASPCR starts circulating an electronic ASPCR bulletin (Asian Pigment Bulletin) to its members quarterly and plans to provide a limited number of travel awards to encourage deserving members to participate in the IPCC and ASPCR conferences. The ASPCR also facilitates learning/training opportunities at centres of excellence for its members.
The Future
The ASPCR journey to excellence in pigment cell research and relevant translational research has begun. This young society would welcome academic and research exchanges and collaborations from the members of the established pigment cell societies to raise the standard of pigment cell research and clinical research on pigmentary disorders across Asia. Going by the interest shown by the clinicians and scientists across Asia, it appears that we are heading towards that goal.
By S. Prasad W. Kumarasinghe and Davinder Parsad
Our Team
Office Bearers
Council Members
Bylaws
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1. Name, Object and Office1.1 The association is named as ASIAN SOCIETY FOR PIGMENT CELL RESEARCH (ASPCR) 1.2 The purposes of the Organization shall be, but are not limited to, the following: a. promote and encourage the exchange of information and collaboration between scientists/clinicians from Asia who are involved in basic and clinical research on the pigmentary and related systems including disorders such as vitiligo, melanoma, albinism, etc. b. arrange scientific meetings on problems concerning the biology of both normal and neoplastic pigment cells annually c. To encourage the exchange and dissemination of information regarding all aspects of pigmentation; d. To promote scientific interchange between members of this Organization and other regional and international pigment cell societies; and e. To provide consultation to the public on relevant issues of national and international importance
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2. Membership2.1 The Society shall consist of Members and Honorary Members. 2.2 Eligibility Scientists and clinicians who have a strong interest in the broad topic of pigment cells or pigmentation shall be eligible for general membership. 2.3 Membership dues: Annual fee shall be determined by the Council and confirmed by the General Assembly subject to the provisions of Article 5. Annual dues are payable on 1 January. 2.4 Members in arrears of the annual subscription by more than 12 months shall be deemed to have resigned and shall not have the rights of Members. They may be reinstated on payment of their dues. Members in good standing shall have the right to vote, to hold office, to present or sponsor papers at meetings, and to receive any publication published by the Society. 2.5 Distinguished scientists who have contributed to advances of knowledge in the fields covered by the Society may be elected Honorary Members on nomination by the Council and announced at a General Assembly of the Society. They shall not pay subscriptions.
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3. Council and Officers3.1 The Council of the Society shall consist of 10 ordinary members. 3.2 The Council shall be elected by the members and formally approved by the General Assemblies of the Society. Members of the Council shall normally be elected for 4 years and shall normally be eligible for re-election for 1 period of 4 years. The officers of the Society will seek nominations from willing candidates from the ordinary members of the Society. These nominations will be in writing and countersigned by at least 5 members. 3.3 The Officers of the Society are Honorary Officers and shall consist of a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The post of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined. 3.4 The Officers of the Society shall be elected to a term of 3 years and shall not be eligible for re-election to the same post until a further 3 year period has elapsed. The President shall not normally be eligible for re-election but the immediate past President shall be an ex-officio member of the Council. 3.5 In the event of a vacancy or inability of a Council member to serve his or her full term, the Council may appoint a candidate to the vacant office for the unexpired portion of the term. 3.6 The Council will, if possible, meet once a year in any case on the occasion of the Scientific Meetings of the Society. The President of the Society shall be the Chairman of the Council, at which 5 Members shall constitute a quorum. 3.7 The Council shall be authorized: a) To arrange Scientific Meetings within Asian countries b) To publish or enter agreements to publish journals or other publications by two-thirds of the majority vote of the Council c) To bestow suitable awards or honours to those scientists regardless of membership of the Society who, in the judgement of the Council, have made substantial and distinguished contributions to the field of pigment cell biology. 3.8 Any action that may be taken by the Council at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing, setting forth the action to be taken, shall be signed by all of the Council Members. 3.9 The President shall be authorised to nominate Committees for special purposes within the general programme of the Society. The Council may also co-opt members for particular purposes. The Editor of the ASPCR bulletin shall normally be a Member of the Council either as an elected Member or ex-officio.
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4. General Assembly4.1 The General Assembly shall normally be called by the President on the occasion of the Annual Scientific Meetings. Notification of the Scientific Meeting shall constitute an invitation to Members to attend the General Assembly. 4.2 The Agenda of the General Assembly shall include : a) The Secretary’s Report b) The Treasurer’s Report c) Election of Officers d) Election of other Council members
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5. Financial Affairs5.1 The level of the Society’s subscriptions shall be determined by the Council. 5.2 The funds of the Society shall be under the control of the Council, who shall have the power to expend the funds as they think fit to promote the objectives of the Society. The financial affairs of the Society shall be conducted on the basis of the calendar year. 5.3 The Treasurer shall submit a financial report to the Council. 5.4 An internal auditor of the accounts may be appointed by the Council.
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6. Indemnification6.1 The Society may indemnify and reimburse any person who, at any time, serves or shall have served as a Council member or officer against and for any and all claims and liabilities to which he/she may be or become subject by reason of such service against and for any and all expenses necessarily incurred in connection with the defence or reasonable settlement of any legal or administrative proceedings to which he/she is made a party by reason of such service, except in relation to matters as to which he/she shall be finally adjudged to be liable for misconduct in the performance of his/her official duties.
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7. Dissolution7.1 The Society is not organised for profit, and no part of the net earnings of the Society shall inure to the benefit of any member. In the event of the dissolution of the Society or liquidation of the assets of the Society, whether voluntary or involuntary, no member shall be entitled to any distribution or division of the Society’s property or the proceeds thereof, and the balance of all money, assets, and other property of the Society, after the payment of all debts and obligations, shall be transferred to such organisation or organisations organised and operated exclusively for scientific, social and cultural purposes.
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8. Amendments8.1 Proposed amendments to the Constitution may be acted upon at the General Assembly of the Society provided that each proposal is endorsed in writing by at least 3 members and placed in the hands of the President not less than 3 months before the meeting. 8.2 Amendments should be circulated to the members at least 1 month before the Assembly. The adoption of the amendment of the Constitution shall be by the majority of the General Assembly.
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9. Settlement of Controversies9.1 Any controversy concerning the administration of the Society which may arise within the Society shall be arbitrated by the Council.