Olga K Afanasiev, M.D., PhD

Olga Afanasiev, MD, PhD, is a board-certified dermatologist with Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF)/Sutter Health. She completed her dermatology residency at Stanford University and earned her MD and PhD through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Dr. Afanasiev has a strong background in clinical and translational research, with work spanning Merkel cell carcinoma, tumor immunology, melanoma, teledermatology, artificial intelligence, and digital health. Her doctoral research investigated immune responses and immune-evasion mechanisms in virus-associated Merkel cell carcinoma and contributed to work supporting immunotherapy clinical trials. At Stanford, her research included developing technology to track chronic skin conditions and evaluating teledermatology integrated within the electronic health record.

She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has received multiple research, innovation, and academic awards.