DC DermTAG Team

  • Yassaman Erfani

    Role: Event Chair

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: Physiology & Biophysics, MS; Psychobiology, BS

    Current Professional School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2026

    Bio: When I started medical school, I wanted to find a way to bridge my two biggest passions

    within medicine—dermatology and advocacy for policies that would improve quality of care and

    healthcare disparities for patients. This year we have the opportunity to bring such an initiative to

    Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, and learn and share ways to become involved in

    dermatology advocacy at a broader level alongside fellow trainees to bring into our careers as

    physicians.

  • Brianna Watson

    Role: Legislative/Advocacy Chair

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: Biomedical Engineering, M. Eng (Cornell University);

    Sociology/Environmental Biology, BS (University of California, Berkeley)

    Current Professional School: Howard University College of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2026

    Bio: Brianna Watson is passionate about health policy, given her various internships and

    fellowships on Capitol Hill: Fall 2020 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Intern, 2022

    Women's Congressional Policy Institute Fellow in Congresswoman Robin Kelly's office, and

    2024-2025 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow in Congresswoman Terri Sewell's

    office. Brianna's future career goals include working at the intersection of clinical research,

    medicine, and policy, focusing on improving healthcare access and outcomes.

  • Alicia Edwards

    Role: Logistics Chair

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: MS

    Current Professional School: Howard University College of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2026

    Bio: Alicia Edwards, a Savannah native and Spelman College graduate, was inspired by her

    mentors to pursue medicine and advocate for underserved communities, leading her to attend

    Howard University College of Medicine. Her research focuses on skin conditions

    disproportionately affecting patients of color, such as alopecia, hidradenitis suppurativa, and

    vitiligo. Through leadership roles in various medical organizations, she works to create

    opportunities for underrepresented students and aims to provide equitable, inclusive care while

    influencing systemic change in healthcare.

  • Jess (Woori) Lee

    Role: Topic/Issue Lead

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: BS

    Current Professional School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2027

    Bio: I got involved in DTAD to help advocate for better access to dermatologic care, especially

    for underserved communities, combining my interests in policy, public health, and patient

    advocacy.

  • Nikkia Zarabian

    Role: Topic/Issue Lead

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: BS (Major: Neuroscience, Minor: Psychology and Biology)

    Current Professional School: George Washington University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2026

    Bio: Getting involved in DC DTAD as a medical student is a valuable opportunity to engage in

    the discussion and development of policies that shape the future of dermatology education and

    practice. As someone interested in health policy, being part of this group allows me to advocate

    for systemic improvements while collaborating with like-minded individuals to influence the

    direction of both the specialty and healthcare at large.

  • Monika Bapna

    Role: Communications & Social Media Chair

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: BS, Georgetown University

    Current Professional School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2026

    Bio: I joined DTAG to help bridge the gap between dermatology and public health by fostering

    discussions on access to care, health equity, and innovation in the field. Through collaboration

    and education, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and informed dermatologic community.

  • Anastasia Chajecki

    Role: Marketing & Recruitment Chair

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree: Post-Baccalaureate, Johns Hopkins University; BS, Biomedical Sciences

    (Honors; University College London)

    Current Professional School: George Washington University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2027

    Bio: Anastasia’s interest in dermatology advocacy comes from her prior research

    experience working with vulnerable populations and a strong desire to advance equity,

    inclusion, and accessibility in dermatologic care.

  • Umayr Shaikh

    Role: Research Coordinator

    Degree Candidacy: MD

    Previous Degree:  Masters in Public Health (The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and

    Clinical Practice)

    Current Professional School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

    Year of Graduation: 2027

    Bio: I chose to become involved with DTAG because of my tremendous passion for public

    policy and its intersection with dermatology. Dermatology is a field that truly every person can

    relate to, and changes that affect the field undoubtedly cascade and affect everything from large

    scale regulation to day-to-day decisions made my people who simply care about their skin. I

    want to play as active of a role as I can in helping shape the future of dermatology through

    advocacy.