Seher Banu Farabi Atak, MD

Dr. Seher Banu Farabi Atak is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and serves as Director of Skin Cancer Screening & Imaging at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Farabi earned her medical degree from Ankara University School of Medicine, where she also completed her dermatology residency and obtained Turkish Board Certification in Dermatology. During her training in Türkiye, she published extensively and received several prestigious international awards, including scholarships from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), and the European Dermatology Forum.

She later moved to the United States to pursue research in noninvasive skin imaging—including dermatoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography—as well as dermatopathology. Dr. Farabi began her U.S. clinical training with an internal medicine internship, followed by a dermatology residency at New York Medical College/Metropolitan Hospital Center. Throughout residency, she remained a highly productive researcher, collaborating with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on projects in skin cancer, stem cell biology, and imaging technologies. Her academic work was recognized with the PAGNY Research Award from NYC Health + Hospitals.

Recognized for her leadership and academic excellence, Dr. Farabi was appointed Academic Chief Resident, where she restructured the academic calendar, organized grand rounds, and mentored junior residents with exceptional dedication.

Dr. Farabi is also deeply committed to advancing health equity. Much of her clinical and research work focuses on underserved populations, including studies on hidradenitis suppurativa in marginalized communities, stem cell applications in wound healing, and initiatives to promote equitable access to dermatologic care. She has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences, including the World Congress of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Her academic interests include noninvasive skin imaging, cutaneous oncology, hidradenitis suppurativa, stem cell applications in dermatology, and the use of artificial intelligence in skin cancer detection. Dr. Farabi also strongly believes in the importance of patient education and is dedicated to fostering long-term partnerships that support her patients’ skin health.