About the molecular genetic pathology fellowship
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
The Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) fellowship is a one-year program designed to train future physician leaders with the laboratory and clinical skills required for the practice of molecular diagnostics. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and accepts applicants with residency training in pathology or clinical medical genetics. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible for MGP board certification examination administered by the American Board of Pathology.
The program is based at the molecular diagnostics laboratory (MDL), a high-volume and high-complexity laboratory with state-of-the-art setup and a strong track record of innovation and excellence. The laboratory was among the first to offer clinical next generation sequencing (NGS) in 2012. Since then, it has performed clinical NGS testing using a broad array of platforms and customized panels.
Fellows in our program will have the opportunity to interact with more than 15 faculty who have diverse subspecialty interests in hematopathology and solid tumors. The training is structured around a strong clinical component, including exposure to a broad range of oncologic and non-oncologic genetic testing, graduated clinical responsibilities and preparation for independent signout.
During the fellowship, trainees will attend a regular series of didactic lectures, seminars and departmental conferences, including troubleshooting/test development conferences. Fellows also will perform test development and translational research under the supervision of a faculty member and prepare a manuscript acceptable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Additionally, fellows will gain experience in grant writing, leadership skills, and delivering lectures to the MDL, laboratory technicians and medical technology students. Flexibility is allowed to encourage the development of special interests and expertise.
Overall, the program provides a well-rounded training in molecular diagnostics, clinical consulting, academic research, regulatory compliance and laboratory management, innovative test platforms, bioinformatics and leadership in an academic environment driven by the core values of Caring, Integrity, Discovery, Safety and Stewardship.
A Letter from our Program Directors
We welcome you to the Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. As program directors, we are honored to introduce you to a fellowship that stands at the forefront of molecular genetic pathology, encompassing service, research and education.
At UT MD Anderson, we are committed to delivering a rigorous training experience that equips our fellows with the expertise required to excel as leaders in molecular genetic pathology. Our program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), offers a comprehensive one-year curriculum that integrates clinical service, research and scholarly activities.
Our fellowship program is distinguished by its multi-platform approach to molecular genetic pathology. As a participant in one of the largest and most esteemed programs in the nation, you will collaborate with world-renowned experts in hematopathology and anatomical pathology. This collaborative environment will provide you with extensive training experience, covering a broad range of molecular genetic testing platforms.
UT MD Anderson benefits from a substantial patient population, with approximately 50,000 patients treated annually. This exposure allows our fellows to engage deeply in all aspects of molecular pathology, from the interpretation of pathology slides to the latest advancements in sequencing technology, under the mentorship of our experienced faculty.
In addition to clinical training, our program emphasizes the importance of research and scholarly pursuits. Fellows are encouraged to undertake innovative research projects under the guidance of faculty members leading experts in their fields. This emphasis on research aims to advance knowledge and contribute significantly to molecular genetic pathology.
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including our dedicated molecular diagnostics laboratory and comprehensive in-house pathology services. UT MD Anderson is committed to providing a collaborative and enriching environment that fosters both personal and professional growth.
We invite you to explore the opportunities that our Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program offers and to consider becoming part of our dedicated team of pathologists, researchers, and educators. Whether your career goals lie in academic medicine, clinical practice or research, we are dedicated to supporting your development and helping you achieve your objectives while making a significant impact on patient care.
Thank you for considering our fellowship program. We look forward to the prospect of welcoming you to our esteemed community and embarking on this transformative journey together.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Yang, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director
Keyur P. Patel, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Program Director
Meet Our Current Fellows
Zubaidah Al-Jumaili, M.D.
Education
University of Baghdad College of Medicine, Iraq
Postgraduate Training
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship: UT MD Anderson
Hematopathology Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency: UTHealth Houston
Anatomic Pathology Residency: Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
Research Interests
Lymphoid proliferations and lymphomas associated with immune deficiency and dysregulation; follicular lymphoma; acute leukaemias of mixed or ambiguous lineage
Personal Interests
Exploring the outdoors through hiking, traveling to national parks and new destinations and experiencing different cultures through food. I particularly enjoy discovering new restaurants and planning memorable travel experiences that combine nature, adventure and local cuisines.
Fun Fact
I enjoy translating complex pathology findings/mutations into narratives and stories that are easier to remember.
Favorite Quote
“You can’t control your fate, all you can do is decide what you’re going to do with the time that’s given to you.” — Lord of the Rings movie
Di Tian, M.D., Ph.D.
Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): Beijing Medical University (now Peking University Health Science Center), Beijing, China
Doctor of Philsophy (Ph.D).: Northwestern University, Chicago
Postgraduate Training
Residency in Anatomic Pathology: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Fellowship in Neuropathology: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Research Interests
Gene expression profiling and spatial transcriptomics of the human and mouse brain; Neural mechanisms underlying hypothalamic regulation of sleep
Personal Interests
Jogging and playing soccer, listening to classical music, traveling with my family
Fun Fact
I recently took up bread baking and enjoy experimenting with different grains, seeds, nuts and dried fruits to create healthier recipes.
Favorite Quote
“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.” — Steve Jobs
Paul Wadsworth, M.D., Ph.D.
Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): The University of Texas Medical Branch
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The University of Texas Medical Branch
Postgraduate Training
Residency, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Stanford University
Research Interests
Clonality, assay development (ie, MRD cfDNA assays, blood-based genomic assays), pharmacogenomics, personalized medicine
Personal Interests
I love being active and being outdoors (be it hiking, camping, skiing, or biking), and also enjoy concerts, music, and playing the piano.
Our Alumni
2020-Present
2020-2021
Behtash Nezamy
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center ( 2nd Fellowship)
Wen Shuai
Duke University Medical Center
2021-2022
Hong Fang
UT MD Anderson
Mark Evans
Caris Life Sciences
Hanadi El-Achi
UT Health Houston
2022-2023
Sayak Ghatak
NCI
Bryan Iorgulescu
UT MD Anderson
Ting Zhou
Memorial Sloan Kettering
2023-2024
Okechuku Valentine Nwogbo
Cleveland Clinic
Iman Sarami
UT MD Anderson
Anjanaa Vijayanarayanan
University of California – San Francisco
2024-2025
Andrew Sohn, M.D.
UT MD Anderson
Sravanthi Lavu, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Rasha Alfattal, M.D.
Houston Methodist
2025-2026
Tasnuva Rashid, M.D., Ph.D.
UT MD Anderson
Margaret Parham, M.D.
Dingani Nkosi, Ph.D., M.B.B.S.
2015-2020
2015-2016
Adriana Olar
Medical University of South Carolina
Kurt Hodges
University of Cincinnati
2016-2017
Alan Siroy
University of Florida
Roberto Ruiz-Cordero
University of California, San Francisco
2017-2018
Andreas Quesada
UT MD Anderson
Habibe Kurt
Brown University
2018-2019
Fatima Zahra Jelloul
UT MD Anderson
Peng Wang
University of Chicago
2019-2020
Richard Yang
UT MD Anderson
Arash Ronaghy
UT MD Anderson
2010-2015
2010-2011
Ashish Bains
Temple University
Angela Bartley
Trinity Health, MI
2011-2012
Shalini Verma
Roche Molecular Systems
Wesley Greaves
Nexgen Pathology, Trinidad
2012-2013
Bryce Portier
Houston Methodist Hospital
Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
UT MD Anderson
2013-2014
Kausar Jabbar
Beaumont Health
Rashmi Goswami
University of Toronto
2014-2015
Chi Ok
UT MD Anderson
Sanam Loghavi
UT MD Anderson
2004-2010
2004-2005
Cheng Cameron Yin
UT MD Anderson
2005-2006
Weiqiang (John) Zhao
Ohio State University
2006-2007
Christina Hannah
Memorial Hermann Medical Group, Houston, TX
2007-2008
Jonathan Earle
Hartford Hospital, CT
Rachel Sargent
Jannsen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
2008-2009
Pranil Chandra
PathGroup, TN
Zhuang Zuo
UT MD Anderson
2009-2010
Deqin Ma
University of Iowa
Keyur P. Patel
UT MD Anderson
Contact Information
Richard Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
Fellowship Program Director
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program
MD Anderson Cancer Center
6565 MD Anderson Blvd., Unit 1062
Houston, TX 77030
Email: RKYang@mdanderson.org
Keyur P. Patel, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Fellowship Program Director
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program
Email: KPPatel@mdanderson.org
For inquiries, please contact:
Yvette Bañuelos
Program Coordinator
Phone: 713-745-4798
Fax: 713-563-3166
Email: ybanuelos@mdanderson.org
Verification of training
Requests for verification should be sent to ybanuelos@mdanderson.org.
MD Anderson Cancer Center is committed to encouraging good health and staying true to our mission to end cancer. If you are applying for a GME fellowship or residency program starting on or after July 1, 2016, please be advised that MD Anderson will have instituted a tobacco-free hiring process as part of its efforts to achieve these goals. If you are offered an appointment, you will be subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Screen for tobacco compounds in compliance with applicable state laws. If you do not pass the urine drug screening which includes testing for tobacco compounds, you CANNOT be appointed at MD Anderson. Should you fail to meet this contingency, MD Anderson will withdraw your offer of appointment for the academic year. You may reapply for the following academic year, but there are no guarantees that you will be offered a position as many of our programs are already filled for several years out.
Our Labs
Learn more about our faculty and research taking place in our labs.
Conferences
View conferences available for continuing education credit.