The need for coordination of research activities on skin diseases and avoidance of repetition of such activities in medical sciences universities, and by encouraged the authorities of the Presidential Office and Ministry of Health a center devoted to research on skin diseases in 1992. The center was named “Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL)”. The center board of trustees included Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati, Dr. Reza Malekzadeh and Haj Seyed Reza Nayeri. Dr. Yahya Dowlati was appointed as the director of CRTSDL at the suggestion of the board of trustees and approval of the Minister of Health. This center was separated from the Ministry of Health and joined Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1993.