RAD Scholars
The RAD Scholars program recognizes an elite cohort of medical students and residents who demonstrate an exceptional passion for, and commitment to, the field of rural dermatology.
Hand-selected by the RADS Board of Directors following a rigorous peer-review of submitted abstracts for each event, these individuals represent the next generation of leadership in underserved medicine.
Being named a RAD Scholar is a distinct honor, celebrating both academic excellence and a dedicated focus on expanding dermatological care to rural communities.
2026
Rafael Ozan Homer
University of Washington School of Medicine
Laramie, WY
2026 RAD Scholar - AAD
Presentation
Higher Detection of Clinically Significant Skin Lesions and Preventable Sun-Safety Risk Patterns in Rural Communities
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Background
Rural communities face unique barriers to early skin cancer detection and sun-safety education. This project explores patterns of clinically significant skin lesion detection and preventable sun-exposure risks in rural settings.
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Student Focus
Rafael Homer is a medical student with deep ties to Wyoming whose work centers on rural dermatology access, community-based skin cancer screening, telehealth research, and health policy advocacy. He is actively involved with The Sun Bus, supporting rural screening events, coordinating student volunteers, and contributing to research efforts.
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Future Directions
Rafael plans to return to Wyoming to help expand access to dermatologic care through innovative care delivery models, telehealth, and policy-driven solutions.
Roma Kishor Desai
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Hopkinsville, KY
2026 RAD Scholar - AAD
Presentation
Dermatologist Availability and Family Physician Skin Procedural Activity in Early Melanoma Detection
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Background
Early melanoma detection depends on access to dermatologic expertise, yet many rural and underserved areas face significant workforce shortages. This project examines how dermatologist availability and family physician–performed skin procedures support early melanoma detection and address geographic disparities in care.
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Student Focus
Roma Desai is a second-year medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, committed to improving dermatologic access in underserved communities. She is a Visiting Scholar at the American Board of Family Medicine, Lead Dermatology Clinic Coordinator at the Salvation Army Clinic, and an Academic Resource Chair at the College of Medicine, with research focused on geographic disparities and primary care’s role in skin cancer detection.
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Future Directions
Roma aims to reduce disparities in dermatologic care through research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and care models that strengthen partnerships between primary care and dermatology in rural and underserved communities.
Clayton Frazier
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fayetteville, AR
2026 RAD Scholar - AAD
Presentation
Access Is a Journey: A Patient-Centered, One-Hour View of Rural Dermatology Across States
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Background
Access to dermatologic care varies widely across rural regions and state lines, creating fragmented patient experiences and delayed diagnosis. This presentation offers a patient-centered, cross-state perspective on rural dermatology, illustrating how geographic, systemic, and workforce factors shape access to care and highlighting opportunities to improve continuity and equity for rural patients.
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Student Focus
Clayton Frazier is a second-year medical student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who grew up in rural Arkansas, where firsthand exposure to healthcare access disparities shaped his interest in dermatology and health services research. His work on access disparities has been published in JAAD International and Pediatric Dermatology, and he is a 2025 recipient of the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance Emerging Investigator Research Grant.
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Future Directions
Clayton plans to pursue a career in dermatology focused on improving access for underserved communities, both domestically and globally, through patient-centered care, research, and innovative models that bridge gaps across rural healthcare systems.
Mahak Sharma
NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine–Arkansas
Jonesboro, AR
2026 RAD Scholar - AAD
Background
Limited access to dermatologic education and preventive resources contributes to delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes in underserved communities. SkinScope explores innovative approaches to improving dermatologic literacy through community engagement, digital tools, and early education, with the goal of empowering patients and expanding equitable access to skin health knowledge.
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Student Focus
Mahak Sharma is a second-year medical student at NYITCOM–Arkansas pursuing a career in dermatology. Training in a rural medical setting has given her firsthand insight into barriers to specialty care, shaping her commitment to underserved populations. She serves as President of the Dermatology Interest Group, Vice President of the Interdisciplinary Medical Research Association, and Community Outreach Director for SOMA. She is an Edward Giuliano Fellow with global research experience in Athens, Greece, and an AOF Prairie State Scholar recognized for leadership and advocacy.
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Future Directions
Mahak aims to advance equitable access to dermatologic care through community outreach, research, and the integration of digital literacy and emerging technologies into patient education and medical training.
Jagjit “Jag” Lally
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
2025 RAD Scholar - Reporting at the 2026 AAD
Presentation
Utilization of Existing Infrastructure and Geospatial Modeling to Mitigate Dermatology Deserts in Rural America
Background
Large geographic gaps in dermatologic care persist across rural America, creating significant barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment. This project examines how existing healthcare infrastructure, combined with geospatial modeling and advanced analytics, can be leveraged to identify dermatology deserts and inform targeted, data-driven strategies to improve access in underserved rural regions.
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Student Focus
Jag Lally is a third-year medical student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry completing a dedicated research year. Raised in a rural community in Northern California, he brings personal perspective to his work using large-scale datasets and advanced algorithms to address rural dermatology access gaps. His research also includes developing predictive biomarkers and analytic models to better understand treatment response in eczema and other dermatologic conditions.
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Future Directions
Jag aims to advance equitable access to dermatologic care in rural America through data-driven innovation, applying geospatial analysis, predictive modeling, and health systems research to inform scalable solutions for underserved communities
RAD Scholars Archive
2025
Natasha Salmen
Presentation:​
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Event: AAD Innovation | Chicago
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Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Hometown: Columbiana, OH
Andres Parga
Presentation:
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Event: Wyoming Academy of Dermatology
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Residency: Transition Year Resident at HCA Florida Healthcare
Ty Theriot
Presentation:
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Event: AAD Annual Meeting
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Medical School: Louisiana State University
Hometown: St. Martinville, LA
Jag Lally
Presentation:
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Event: AAD Innovation | Chicago
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Medical School: University of Rochester Medical Center
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Hometown: Yuba City, CA
Shelby Salisbury
Presentation:
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Event: Wyoming Academy of Dermatology
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Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Hometown: Centralia, MO
Brailyn Weber
Presentation:
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Event: AAD Annual Meeting
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Medical School: University of North Dakota
Hometown: Fargo, ND
Roma Desai
Presentation:
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Event: 1st Annual Research Symposium
Most Outstanding Presentation
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Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Hometown: Hopkinsville, KY
Sarah Hayek
Presentation:
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Event: Wyoming Academy of Dermatology
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Medical School: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Hometown: Greenville, MS
Tharani Murali
Presentation:
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Event: AAD Annual Meeting
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Medical School: University of New Mexico
Hometown: Las Cruces, NM
RAD Scholars Archive
2024
John Carl Barba II, MD, MPH
Presentation:
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Event:
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Medical School: The Ohio State University
Hometown: Byesville, OH