1. Expert meeting in May 2005 in Münster. Left to right: Elke Weisshaar, Gil Yosipovitch, Sonja Ständer
History of IFSI
The International Forum for the Study of Itch was founded in 2005. A network of collaborating experts had already been holding regular meetings since 2001. The framework of the society was determined during a meeting for experts in early 2005 in Münster, Germany (See picture 1). This day marked the beginning of the society IFSI. During the World Congress on Itch in September in Heidelberg, Germany, the society was officially founded (See picture 2).
2. Official founders meeting of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI) on September 25th, 2005 in Heidelberg, Germany
Board 2023-2025: President: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Vice-President: Ethan Lerner, USA; Secretary: Hiroyuki Murota, Japan; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Brian Kim, USA; Matthias Ringkamp, USA; Martin Schmelz, Germany; Christina Schut, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Mitsutoshi Tominaga, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA;
Co-opted: Leigh Nattkemper, USA
Board 2021-2023: President: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Vice-President: Ethan Lerner, USA; Secretary: Hiroyuki Murota, Japan; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Earl Carstens, USA; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Matthias Ringkamp, USA; Martin Schmelz, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2019-2021: President: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Vice-President: Ethan Lerner, USA; Secretary: Hiroyuki Murota, Japan; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Earl Carstens, USA; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Matthias Ringkamp; Martin Schmelz, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2017- 2019: President: Earl Carstens, USA; Vice-President: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Secretary: Toshiya Ebata, Japan; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Thomas Mettang, Germany; Hiroyuki Murota, Japan; Matthias Ringkamp, USA; Martin Schmelz, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA;
Honorary Member: Jeffrey D. Bernhard, USA;
Associated Board Member: Ethan Lerner, USA
Board 2015-2017: President: Earl Carstens, USA; Vice-President: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Secretary: Toshiya Ebata, Japan; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Jeffrey D. Bernhard, USA; Ichiro Katayama, Japan; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Martin Schmelz, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland
Board 2013-2015: President: Jacek C Szepietowski, Poland; Vice President: Earl Carstens, USA; Secretary: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Jeffrey D. Bernhard, USA; Toshiya Ebata, Japan; Hermann Handwerker, Germany; Ichiro Katayama, Japan; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2011-2013: President: Jacek C Szepietowski, Poland; Vice President: Earl Carstens, USA; Secretary: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Treasurer: Alan Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Jeffrey D. Bernhard, USA; Toshiya Ebata, Japan; Hermann Handwerker, Germany; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Sonja Ständer, Germany; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2009-2011: President: Sonja Ständer, Germany; Secretary: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Treasurer: Alan B Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Jeffrey D. Bernhard, USA ; Earl Carstens, USA; Toshiya Ebata, Japan; Hermann Handwerker, Germany; Akihiko Ikoma, USA; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2007-2009: President: Sonja Ständer, Germany; Secretary: Elke Weisshaar, Germany; Treasurer: Alan B Fleischer, USA; Board of Directors: Earl Carstens, USA; Thomas Mettang, Germany; Kenji Takamori, Japan; Jacek Szepietowski, Poland; Gil Yosipovitch, USA
Board 2005-2007: President: Gil Yosipovitch, USA; Vice-President: Sonja Ständer, Germany; Treasurer: Elke Weisshaar; Board of Directors: Earl Carstens, USA; Yasushi Kuraishi, Japan
