Our Team
Professor Dedee Murrell
Dermatologist / Principal Investigator
I have been very fortunate to study and work all over the world including at Oxford and Cambridge Medical Schools, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Rockefeller University in New York before coming to St George Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Subsequently, I also set up my own private dermatology practice and the first dedicated dermatology trial centre in Australia. This allowed me to combine my passion for medical research and interest in new therapies for common and rare skin conditions, in particular genetic and autoimmune blistering diseases. In 2006 I started the Australasian Blistering Diseases Foundation (ABDF) with one of my research fellows at the time, Dr Linda Martin. Over the years the ABDF has funded numerous medical research projects to find better ways to diagnose and treat rare blistering diseases. Our trial centre is now internationally renowned with young dermatologists and trainees from all over the world coming to join our team. To help me achieve my goal of improving the quality of life for patients’ with skin conditions, I have assembled an outstanding team of qualified staff that are as passionate about research as I am and are ready to help patients in any way they can.
Dr. Jessica Baird
Dr Jessica Baird is a UK-trained doctor who graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2021. During her studies, she completed an intercalated degree in Biomedical Science, with a particular focus on public health. She undertook her foundation training in the Wessex Deanery, where her interest in Dermatology developed. She combined her interests in travel and medicine by moving to Sydney in January 2024 where she spent a year working at the Prince of Wales Hospital. She is now eager to further advance her clinical and research expertise in Dermatology through her role as a Clinical Research Fellow.
Dr. Nasim Niknezhad
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr. Nasim Niknezhad is a board-certified dermatologist in Iran with extensive experience in both clinical and research settings. She completed medical school at Hamedan University of Medical Sciences and her dermatology residency at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. She has worked as a dermatologist in both private practice and hospital settings. Dr. Niknezhad is currently a Clinical Research Fellow at Premier Specialists and Dermatology Trials Australia, working with Professor Dedee Murrell. She has presented at international conferences and has multiple publications in dermatology. Her areas of expertise include psoriasis, autoimmune skin diseases, dermatologic surgery and laser therapy.
Dr. Sera Sarsam
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Sera Sarsam completed her medical degree at St George’s University of London in 2019 and undertook junior doctor training in England before returning to Sydney. She also holds a Bachelor of Medical Science with Distinction from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and is currently completing a Master of Public Health at the University of Newcastle. In addition, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Lecturer at UNSW. Dr Sarsam is pursuing a career in dermatology through her work as an Unaccredited Dermatology Trainee and Clinical Research Fellow at Dermatology Trials Australia. She is passionate about delivering accessible, equitable care and advocates for improved healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, as well as gender equity in medicine.
Dr. Madeleine Stark 
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Madeleine Stark completed her medical training at the Australian National University in Canberra, graduating in 2021 and receiving the RACGP NSW & ACT Prize for General Practice Excellence and the Michael Hargrave Prize for Ophthalmology. She completed her internship and residency at Canberra Hospital, where she was awarded the Damien McMahon Memorial Award for Resident of the Year in 2023. Currently, Dr Stark is undertaking a Master of Public Health at University of Newcastle. She is working towards a career in dermatology through her work as a Dermatology Clinical Research Fellow at Premier Specialists, where she is a Sub-Investigator in our current clinical trials.
Dr. Brandon Tan
Unaccredited Dermatology Registrar
Dr Brandon Tan is the Clinical Dermatology Registrar at St. George Hospital. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (Distinction) at the University of New South Wales in 2020. He completed junior doctor training and two years of Basic Physician Training in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region, where he also undertook a secondary role of Unaccredited Dermatology Registrar. Dr Tan has completed the RACP Written Examination and is currently finishing a Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) with the University of Queensland. Dr Tan manages inpatient dermatology consults, outpatient clinics, departmental journal club and medical student education. Dr Tan supports our clinical trials by identifying suitable patients during routine consultations and assists with disease severity scoring using validated assessment tools.
Annika Pedersen
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Annika Pedersen is Dermatology Trials Australia’s Assistant Clinical Trial Coordinator, supporting a broad range of research under Professor Murrell. She graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from Macquarie University in 2023, where she was awarded the highly commended Judyth Sachs Student PACE prize for outstanding professional and community engagement. Annika has contributed to dermatology studies that have supported FDA, EMA, and TGA approvals for new treatments across a range of indications. Her strong interest in medical research and furthering available treatment options for patients ensures the highest standards of trial conduct and patient care across all studies.