Skin of Color Clinical and Research Fellow
What are your career interests?
Hidradenitis suppurativa, skin of color, alopecia, cutaneous lymphoma, procedural dermatology, laser therapy, medical education, and health equity.
Why did you choose Duke for your fellowship?
I first heard about the Skin of Color fellowship at Duke University through several of my mentors. After meeting Drs. Jaleel and Wolfe, I was genuinely inspired by how deeply committed they are to their community and addressing healthcare inequities. What stood out just as much was how kind, warm, and welcoming they were during the interview. Duke truly felt like a place where I belonged and I’m extremely excited to be joining the team and can’t wait for our time ahead!
Education & Training
Undergraduate: Rutgers University – New Brunswick, B.A., Biological Sciences, 2020
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, MD, 2024
Internship: Internal Medicine, Morristown Medical Center, 2024 – 2025
Fellowship: Duke Dermatology Skin of Color Clinical Research Fellowship (Mentor: Dr. Tarannum Jaleel), Duke University, 2025 – 2026
Awards & Honors
- Scholarly Inquiry Distinction, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, 2023
- Asano Humanities & Health Certificate, Thomas Jefferson University, 2022
- Helen and Gabriel Levine Summer Research Scholarship, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, 2021
- Summa Cum Laude, Rutgers University, 2020
- High Achievers Award, Rutgers University, 2017
- Summer Merck Prep Program Perseverance Award, Rutgers University, 2016
Publications & Presentations
Original Publications:
Douglas A, Suriano J, Nikbakht N. “Quality of Life and Patient Experience in Black Women with Alopecia.” Published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, available online May 1st, 2025. PMID: 40322564. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JW9.0000000000000203
Suriano J, Huang C, AlHussein R, Sangobiyi M, Yang S. “A Review of Online Search Tools to Identify Funded Dermatology Away Rotations for Underrepresented Medical Students.” Published in the Cutis Journal, available online April 8th, 2025. PMID: 40392814. https://doi.org/10.12788/cutis.1196
Douglas A, Nguyen TQ, Suriano J, Nikbakht N. “Review of the Trends in Diagnosing Alopecia with Scalp Biopsy and Trichoscopy.” Published in the Journal of Hair Therapy & Transplantation, available online July 26th, 2024. https://dx.doi.org/10.35841/2167-0951.24.14.248
Rohan TZ, Suriano J, Tekmen V, Bhatti S, Talasila S, Joffe D, Holtmeyer C, Lee JB, Alpdogan O, Nikbakht N. “Coexistence of large cell transformed mycosis fungoides and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in one patient.” Published in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, available online July 5th, 2024. PMID: 38967043. https://doi.org/10.1111/cup.14673
Joffe D, Rohan TZ, Mandel J, Suriano J, Banner L, Valiga A, Porcu P, Gong JZ, Lee JB, Alpdogan O, Nikbakht N. “The development of 2 clonally and histologically distinct subtypes of extranodal B-cell lymphomas in the brain and skin in 1 individual.” Published in JAAD Case Reports, Volume 49, available online March 4th, 2024. PMID: 38883181 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdcr.2024.01.041
Gleason L, Hunter E, Cohen A, Suriano J, Nikbakht N. “Atezolizumab-induced psoriasiform drug eruption successfully treated with ixekizumab: a case report and literature review.” Published in the Dermatology Online Journal, Volume 29, available online February 15th, 2023. PMID: 37040912. https://doi.org/10.5070/d329160215
Douglas A, Romisher A, Cohen A, Zaya R, Wang J, Suriano J, Zachian R, Nikbakht N. “Scalp Biopsy Influences Diagnostic Accuracy and Treatment in Black Women with Alopecia: A Retrospective Study.” Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, available online science direct Elsevier Ltd, January 31st, 2023. PMID: 36736629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.01.022
Correia E, Krishnasamy S, Suriano JG, Shi W, Alpdogan SO, Sahu J, Porcu P, Nikbakht N. “Response to Chlormethine/Mechlorethamine gel Maintenance Treatment Regimen in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides: A Single-center Retrospective Study.” Published in Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, available online science direct Elsevier Ltd, February 24th, 2022. PMID: 35393251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2022.02.002
Abstracts and Poster Presentations:
Suriano J, Rohan TZ, Tekmen V, Bhatti S, Joffe D, Lee JB, Alpdogan O, Nikbakht N. “Coexistent large cell transformation of mycosis fungoides and development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a single patient.” Poster presentation accepted at the 61st Annual Meeting of The American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP), November 8, 2024, Chicago, IL.
Suriano J, Douglas A, Nguyen TQ, Nikbakht N. “Trends in Diagnosing Alopecia with Scalp Biopsy and Trichoscopy: Review.” Virtual poster presentation accepted at the Atlantic Health System Annual Research symposium, September 26, 2024, Morristown, NJ.
Nguyen TQ, Douglas A, Suriano J, Nikbakht N. “The Trends in Diagnosing Alopecia with Scalp Biopsy and Trichoscopy: A Review of the Literature.” Virtual poster presentation accepted at the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery 56th Annual Scientific Meeting, September 21, 2024, Philadelphia, PA.
Suriano J, Douglas A, Nikbakht N. “Assessing Quality of Life and Patient Experience in Black Women with Alopecia.” Visual abstract with an oral presentation accepted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dermatology Medical Student Virtual Research Symposium, May 29, 2024, Boston, MA.
Joffe D, Rohan TZ, Mandel J, Suriano J, Banner L, Valiga A, Alpdogan O, Porcu P, Gong JZ, Lee JB, Nikbakht N. “The development of two clonally and histologically distinct subtypes of extranodal B-cell lymphomas in the brain and skin in one individual.” Poster with an oral presentation accepted at the 5th World Congress of Cutaneous Lymphomas at the Pasadena Convention Center, April 12, 2024, Pasadena, CA.
Suriano J, Douglas A, Nikbakht N. “Quality of Life and Patient Experience in Black Women with Alopecia.” Poster with an oral presentation accepted at the Consortium of DEI Health Education 2nd Annual Equity in Medical Education Summit at the National Constitution Center, April 2, 2024, Philadelphia, PA.
Romisher A, Cohen A, Douglas A, Zaya R, Wang J, Suriano J, Zachian R, Nikbakht N. “Scalp Biopsy Increases Diagnostic Accuracy and Treatment Outcomes in African American Females with Alopecia.” Online ePoster with an oral presentation accepted at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, March 26, 2022, Boston, MA.
Correia E, Krishnasamy S, Suriano JG. “Mechlorethamine gel as a maintenance treatment regimen in patients with mycosis fungoides.” Online ePoster with an oral presentation and abstract accepted at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, March 26, 2022, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2022.06.352
Suriano JG, Correia E, Krishnasamy S, Nikbakht N. “Response to Chlormethine/Mechlorethamine gel Maintenance Treatment Regimen in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides: Retrospective Study.” Poster presented at Clinical Translational Research (CTR) Track Symposium, February 2nd, 2022, Philadelphia, PA.
Suriano J, Zaya R, Romisher A, Zachian R, Cohen A, Wang J, Douglas A, Nikbakht N. “Barriers to Health Care, Interactions with Physicians, and Quality of Life in African American Patients with Alopecia.” Poster presented at Jefferson Dermatology Research Day, May 28, 2021, Philadelphia, PA.