Duke Skin of Color Dermatology Clinical and Research Fellowship

The application is now closed.  Thank you for your interest in the SOC Fellowship.

• Letter of interest (no longer than 1 page, single-spaced)
• Updated CV
• U.S. Worker (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee), or hold an appropriate non-immigrant visa status authorizing employment in the U.S.
• Copy of your USMLE I, II and III scores (as applicable)
• Medical School Performance Evaluation
• Two letters of recommendation (letters submitted for ERAS dated within a year may be used)

Interviews will be offered on a rolling basis based on the time of application.  We will not accept applications beyond March 25, 2024. Applicants will be notified via email.  The one-year fellowship anticipated start date is as early as January 1^st, 2024 but no later than July 1, 2024.  

The application is now closed.  Thank you for your interest in the SOC Fellowship.

To prepare the trainee with the knowledge and skills needed to perform rigorous, high-quality research and to provide focused clinical training in skin conditions predominant in skin of color (SOC) populations.

This one-year paid fellowship will provide training in clinical research methodology, including study design, basic statistics, and outcomes and implementation research with a focus on health disparities. We will teach the fellow to apply this skill set to increase our understanding of, and to improve outcomes in SOC dermatological diseases. The primary focus of this research will be on one of the most debilitating SOC diseases, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Dr. Tarannum Jaleel, an HS disease expert, will provide opportunities for the fellow to participate in ongoing research that encompasses observational and outcomes-based studies, as well as translational studies aimed at improving our overall scientific understanding of HS. The fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in SOC and health disparity projects led by other members of the mentoring team.

The fellowship will also provide rigorous clinical training in the identification and treatment of complex SOC dermatological diseases. The primary experience will include both medical management of HS in the context of outpatient and telehealth visits, and procedural management of HS such as with laser and surgical treatments. In addition, the fellow will also gain relevant clinical experience in specialty rotations in Duke Dermatology’s infectious disease, hair loss, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, dermato-oncology and immunodermatology clinics. 

To provide training in clinical and/or translational research methodology, including study design, basic statistics, and outcomes and implementation research with a focus on health disparities.

• The Hidradenitis Suppurativa research experience under the primary mentor, Dr. Tara Jaleel, will serve as a platform for the investigation of issues surrounding SOC, for the application of research techniques relevant to study health disparities, and to increase our understanding of, and to improve outcomes in SOC dermatological disease. 
• The fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in SOC and health disparity projects led by other members of the mentoring village.

The fellow will be expected to spend 75% total time/effort during the fellowship to complete a minimum of three research projects and will work closely with the mentor during all stages of the project development including manuscript preparation. The fellow will participate in training in the responsible conduct of research through a course prepared by the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute and will complete training modules in human subjects research available from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative.  Courses available through the university and the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute will be encouraged, but not required. The fellow will also be encouraged to present findings in the form of posters or oral presentations at local conferences such as the Pinnell Investigative Dermatology Symposium, as well as national conferences such as the annual meetings of the Skin of Color Society, Medical Dermatology Society, HS Foundation, and the Society of Investigative Dermatology.

• To provide rigorous clinical training in the identification and treatment of complex SOC dermatological diseases.
• The primary experience will include both medical management in the context of outpatient and telehealth visits, and procedural management of HS such as with laser and surgical treatments. In addition, the fellow will gain relevant clinical experience in specialty rotations in Duke Dermatology's infectious disease, hair loss, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, dermato-oncology and immunodermatology clinics.

The fellow will be expected to gain an understanding of the medical and procedural management of HS, in addition to the management of a variety of other inflammatory skin conditions that disproportionately affect skin of color patients.

Specifically, learning objectives for this training include gaining the ability to: 

• Recognize a variety of skin of color conditions.
• Understand the principles of holistic care as well as the importance of comorbidity screening.
• Recognize and address the social barriers and aspects of unconscious bias and systemic racism that impact care management for under-represented minorities impacted by dermatologic disease.

The fellow will participate in residency program didactics, journal clubs, and will contribute to resident lectures. The fellow will also attend research seminars on relevant topics, such as the monthly Health Disparities Research Works in Progress Seminar Series at Duke. 

Eligible candidates will have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to clinical and research activities focused on underserved and underrepresented minority populations.  

• The ideal candidate will be interested in an academic career in dermatology and demonstrates a commitment to serving diverse populations in clinical and/or research arena after residency.
• The fellow will have an MD (or equivalent) and will be eligible for licensure as a trainee to practice medicine in North Carolina. They will have completed at least one year of post-graduate training and will have successfully passed USMLE Steps I and II. 
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Prior experience with clinical research strongly preferred.
• If such a fellow is not available, we will consider medical students from programs which do not offer robust clinical research opportunities in SOC.   

• The fellow is expected to present research findings at a major dermatology meeting during the fellowship year and submit two manuscripts at a major national or international dermatology journal. 
• The fellow will be compensated and is expected to work on average 60 hours a week but never to exceed 80 hours a week. 
• The fellow will have 20 vacation days, 5 conference days and 5 wellness days which should only be used for medical appointments/illness.  Vacation days and conference days will need prior approval. Vacation days may be used for conference attendance if exceeding the allotted conference days. 

Note: Fellows will be paid a monthly salary. In addition, there will be a $1,000 stipend for conferences.  Funds may cover registration fees, travel and accommodations.