Umayr Shaikh
Education
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
Graduate School: The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Hanover, NH (MPH)
Undergraduate: Butler University, Indianapolis, IN (Spanish and Organizational Communication)
About
Umayr Shaikh is a proud Indiana native and current medical student at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he earned a Master of Public Health (MPH), which continues to shape his research and clinical interests. His work centers at the intersection of dermatology and public health, with a focus on epidemiology, sustainability, health equity, and disparities in access to care.
Outside of medicine, Umayr is an avid swimmer and Pokémon enthusiast who enjoys spending time with friends and family and taking walks around Philadelphia.
Current Research Themes
- Patterns and trends associated with Mohs micrographic surgery in pediatric populations
- Racial disparities in surgical management and outcomes for patients with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM)
- Ethical dilemmas in dermatology, including surgical decision-making in patients with dementia and the environmental impact of elective treatments
- The impact of environmental exposures on the burden and aggressiveness of cutaneous malignancies
- Rural–urban differences in skin cancer outcomes and access to dermatologic care
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Leela Raj
Education
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (Biology & Anthropology)
About
Leela Raj is a Philadelphia native and current research fellow at the Penn Dermatology Oncology Center. Her research focuses on how Mohs micrographic surgery, as part of a multidisciplinary care team, influences outcomes for patients with rare and anatomically complex skin cancers. She is also interested in dermatology medical education and developing educational tools and curricula for trainees at all levels.
Having grown up and trained in Philadelphia, Leela enjoys spending her free time with family and friends in the area. She is also an avid baker and loves spending time outdoors.
Current Research Themes
Cutaneous Oncology
- Surgical technique and recurrence patterns in the management of rare malignancies, including extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), using institutional data and systematic review methodologies
- Impact of prolonged diagnostic delays and multiple unsuccessful treatments on patients with cancers lacking national management guidelines
- Imaging surveillance patterns and multidisciplinary management strategies for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)
- Educational initiatives focused on pre-cancerous and cancerous vulvar dermatology
Medical Education
- Development and evaluation of a grant-funded translucent suture pad to improve procedural training and technical skill acquisition
- Video-based feedback and safety interventions to enhance surgical technique and resident education
- Medical student education initiatives focused on dermatologic biopsy techniques and histopathology training
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Christopher Richter
Education
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine, Galveston, TX
Undergraduate: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Biomedical Engineering)
About
Christopher Richter was born and raised in Central Texas and is a current medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, a background he continues to leverage through early-stage ventures at the intersection of dermatology and technology. His academic and research interests include the application of emerging technologies in dermatology, rare oncologic tumors, and cutaneous anatomy.
Outside of medicine, Christopher enjoys staying active through weight training, backpacking in nature, and playing basketball or padel. He also enjoys cooking and baking, often challenging himself to create elaborate meals from his studio apartment kitchen.
Current Research Themes
- Leading an investigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of nerve blocks for dermatologic procedures of the face and scalp
- Topographic approaches to cutaneous nerve blocks using unique landmarks to improve procedural accuracy and safety
- Characterization of high-risk anatomic “danger zones” in dermatology and their implications for procedural planning
- Clinical outcomes, treatment timelines, and epidemiologic patterns in rare cutaneous malignancies, with a focus on microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC)
- Treatment outcomes and disease behavior in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), including analyses in immunosuppressed populations and patients undergoing immunotherapy
- Development of a modified head-mounted recording system to optimize video capture for dermatologic procedures and enhance education
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