Gayle Fischer

Professor Gayle Fischer OAM, MBBS (Hons 1) from the University of Sydney in 1983, FACD in 1988, and MD, serves as Professor of Dermatology at the Northern Clinical School of Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. She is Head of the Department of Dermatology at Royal North Shore Hospital, a key teaching hospital of the university, and leads the research division of that department. As a clinical and academic dermatologist, she specializes in paediatric and gynaecological dermatology, with a focus on vulvovaginal skin disorders. Her career includes roles as Senior Staff Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital and contributions to medical education through supervision of higher degree students and MD theses, such as an MPhil on vulvovaginal lichen planus diagnostic criteria, natural history, and management.

Professor Fischer's research encompasses the clinical presentation, management, quality of life impact, and treatment responses in conditions like vulval lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, and psoriasis. Key publications include 'The impact of vulval lichen sclerosus in young people: a call for better awareness, individualized maintenance plans and revised guidelines' (British Journal of Dermatology, 2024), 'Vulvovaginal lichen planus mimicking desquamative inflammatory vaginitis' (Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2024), 'Adult Vulval Psoriasis: Clinical Presentation, Management and Complications' (2025), 'Erosive Lichen Planus Treated With Tofacitinib: A Case Series of 23 Patients' (Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2025), 'Why do some patients with vulval lichen sclerosus on long-term topical corticosteroids develop squamous cell carcinoma?' (Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2022), and 'Long-term Management of Adult Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Defining the Response to Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% in Remission Induction and Maintenance' (JAMA Dermatology). She co-authored the third edition of 'The Vulva: A Practical Handbook for Clinicians' (Cambridge University Press, 2023, with Jennifer Bradford), a key resource on vulval diseases, vulvo-vaginal pain, and vaginitis. Recognized with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to dermatology, she has also received the University of Sydney Strategic Educational Grant and a Scientific Research Award. Her contributions extend to clinical trials, such as the efficacy of deucravacitinib versus methotrexate in vulvovaginal lichen planus.

Professional Email: gayle.fischer@sydney.edu.au