Department of Pathology
The Department of Pathology is thrilled to welcome our incoming class of fellows for 2026-2027. The following individuals joined our team on July 1:
Two Heersink School of Medicine faculty members have graduated from prestigious medicine leadership fellowship programs offered by Drexel University College of Medicine. Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Pathology, has graduated from the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program. Kierstin Kennedy, M.D., MSHA, professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science, has graduated from the Executive Leadership in Healthcare (ELH) program.
The UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office (LDO) is proud to honor the latest graduates of the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) — 24 accomplished professionals who represent the breadth and strength of our institution.
The Department of Pathology is thrilled to welcome three new faculty members, effective July 1. Gopal Kumar, M.D., joins the Division of Anatomic Pathology as an assistant professor, Song Lu, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)CM, DABCC, FCACB joins the Division of Laboratory Medicine as an assistant professor, and Meghan White, M.D., joins the Division of Women’s Health as an assistant professor.
The UAB Department of Pathology has been strategically planning its digital pathology effort since well before its initial launch in 2024, but what is digital pathology? And why is this new initiative so important?
Marisa Marques, M.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Laboratory Medicine, retired from the department on July 31, 2023, after 30 years of service. A devoted educator and mentor, Marques instructed courses ranging from coagulation to dental clinical pathology and served in several mentorship roles within the UAB Graduate School, Heersink School of Medicine, and Minority Medical Education Program. During her time at UAB, she held many leadership roles. She served as director of the Transfusion Medicine Blood Bank Fellowship, associate director of the Division of Laboratory Medicine, and as section head of Transfusion Medicine, among others. Marques received numerous awards, such as the Heersink Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching, the Excellence in Resident Education in Clinical Pathology Award, and the Excellence in Mentorship Award from the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). In 2022, Marques was awarded the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Francis S. Morrison, M.D. Memorial Lecture Award.
The Department of Pathology is home to the Pathology Learning Resource, a web-based educational portal developed by the Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics. This platform houses an expanding collection of high-quality educational videos designed to support training and professional development in modern pathology practice. While the platform itself is available for UAB faculty, staff, and trainees, its videos have recently been shared to YouTube for public access.
John Choi, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Division of Laboratory Medicine and director of the Flow Cytometry Laboratory, is retiring from the Department of Pathology, effective June 30, 2026.
The UAB Department of Pathology is pleased to announce the establishment of a dedicated Head and Neck Pathology Fellowship Program within its Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program. The fellowship will welcome its inaugural fellow in July 2026 and represents an exciting expansion of subspecialty pathology training opportunities at UAB.
Members of the UAB Department of Pathology gathered for an outgoing reception for residents and fellows on June 5. Faculty, staff, and trainees came together to celebrate at the Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center with dinner and an awards ceremony. A welcome by Chad Siniard, M.D., Residency Program Director, followed by opening remarks from Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology, and a presentation by 2026 C. Bruce Alexander Lecturer, Samuel Borak, M.D., an assistant professor in the Community Practice Pathology Program. The Leonard H. Robinson Award for Resident Education in Anatomic Pathology was presented by Gian Piero Carames, M.D., to Melad Dababneh, M.B.B.S. The Shu T. Huang Award for Excellence in Laboratory Medicine Education was presented by Anne Hylander, D.O., to Katayoun Fomani, M.D., Associate Professor, Laboratory Medicine. Brandi McCleskey, M.D., presented Excellence in Education Awards to various faculty members: ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY Subject Matter Expertise and Effective Communication: Oyedele Adeyi, M.D., FRCPC Enthusiasm for Education: Valeria Dal Zotto, M.D. Encourages Active Learning: Frida Rosenblum, M.D. LABORATORY MEDICINE Subject Matter Expertise: Vishnu Reddy, M.D. Enthusiasm for Education and Effective Communication: Megan Amerson-Brown, Ph.D., CIC, MLS Dr. Adeyi presented the Roger Denio Baker Prize in Anatomic Pathology to Dr. Gian Piero Carames. This award, established in Dr. Baker’s name, is presented to the resident demonstrating excellence in anatomic pathology. Roger Denio Baker became the medical school’s first full-time faculty member on December 1, 1944, and the first departmental chair appointed by Dean Roy D. Kracke. Dr. Ona Faye-Petersen presented the Outstanding Trainee Teaching Award to Ryan Bragiel, M.D. The PEARL Award endowed by former resident and UAB Heersink School of Medicine MSTP student, Dr. Stephen Brossette, recognizes a resident who demonstrates excellence in patient care, education and research in laboratory medicine. This award was presented by Dr. Siniard to Amy Theriault, D.O. Dr. McCleskey acknowledged this year’s outgoing chief resident for Education and Outreach, Alyssa Lee, M.D., and announced incoming chief in the same role, Nicholas Eisele, D.O. Dr. Adeyi acknowledged this year’s outgoing chief resident for Anatomic Pathology, Dr. Gian Piero Carames. and announced incoming chief, Dr. Ryan Bragiel. Dr. Siniard acknowledged Dr. Anne Hylander as outgoing chief of Clinical Pathology, and announced incoming chief Edward Chung, D.O. Neda Wick, M.D., presented the Recognition of Excellence Awards to various junior residents: Innovation and Quality Focused and Enthusiasm for Education and Learning: Huda Haq, M.D. Quality Patient Care: Meagan Drury, M.D. Demonstrating Initiative and Collaborative Team Spirit: Rachel Chang, D.O., M.S. Effective Communication: Alex Wilson, M.D. Dr. Siniard presented this year’s RISE-ING Stars Awards to Mayowa Adekiitan, M.D., PGY1 Joshua Morse, M.D., Ph.D., PGY1. Nicholas Eisele, D.O., PGY2, Edward Chung, D.O., PGY3, Imran Ajmal, M.D., PGY4, and Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S., PGY4. The following outgoing residents were presented with certificates of completion: Falone Amoa, M.D., M.S. Imran Ajmal, M.D. Sofia Canete-Portillo, M.D. Gianpiero Carames, M.D. Ana Franchini Fer, M.D. Kyle Joseph, D.O., M.S. Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S. Nicholas Paul, D.O., M.A. Caroline Polska, M.D. Amy Theriault, D.O. Fellow certificates were presented by the following faculty in each respective program: Daneil Dye, M.D., presented the Forensic Pathology Fellow certificate to Michael Webber, D.O. Dr. Rosenblum presented the Cytopathology Fellow certificate to Mohamed Zedan, M.D. Dr. Reddy presented the Hematopathology Fellow certificates to Nkechi Arinze, M.D., and Michael Robinson, D.O. Dr. Fomani presented the Transfusion Medicine Fellow certificate to Deepak Kumar, M.D. Dr. Adeyi presented the Surgical Pathology Fellow certificates to Sabesan Balasinkam, M.D., and Haneen Salah, M.D. Dr. Adeyi also presented the GI Pathology Fellow certificates to FNU Kiran, M.D., and FNU Raja, M.D. Dr. Magi-Galluzzi presented the GU Pathology Fellow certificate to Gopal Kumar, M.D. Andrea Kahn, M.D., presented the Women’s Health Fellow certificate to Meghan White, M.D. Dr. McCleskey presented the Research/Clinical Fellow certificate to Dr. Falone Amoa.
On June 4, the Department of Pathology hosted its ninth annual C. Bruce Alexander Lecture in Pathology Education featuring Samuel Borak, M.D., an assistant professor in the UAB Community Practice Pathology Program. Borak delivered the lecture "Academic medicine in the community practice setting and the ever changing landscape of pathology."
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Diabetes Research Center (DRC) has named six recipients of the 2026 Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program, which identifies and supports new outstanding and innovative diabetes research projects at UAB.
The UAB Department of Pathology is pleased to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective June 1.
The UAB Department of Pathology is thrilled to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective June 1.
The UAB Department of Pathology recently funded travel awards to three trainees, who will present their research at national meetings this year.
Li’an Williams, a Medical Scientist Training Program student in the laboratory of Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., Endowed Professor in Experimental Cancer Therapeutics in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, was recently named a recipient of the 2026 O’Neal NextGen Scholar Award.
Members of the UAB Department of Pathology attended a department wellness outing at Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, May 16. Colleagues, alongside their families, enjoyed one another's company over an outdoor picnic.
Shi Wei, M.D., Ph.D., Hazel Gore, M.B.B.S., Endowed Professor in Women’s Health and director of the Division of Women’s Health, was recently recognized by Wiley for his 2024 article “Best practices for achieving consensus in HER2-low expression in breast cancer: current perspectives from practicing pathologists” as a top viewed article in the journal Histopathology.
Roy Kracke, M.D., helped lay the foundation for what would become the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. A new feature in UAB Medicine magazine explores Kracke’s enduring legacy, from establishing Alabama’s first four-year medical school to the dedication of Kracke Plaza outside the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building.
This month, we’re spotlighting Md Saimoon Rahman, a graduate student from Bangladesh who is working on his thesis in the Wende Lab in the UAB Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology.
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor in humans, with an average survival of approximately 15 months despite current treatment options. A major barrier to effective treatment is the highly invasive nature of glioblastoma cells, which infiltrate the surrounding brain and drive tumor formation. Growing evidence shows that glioma invasion is not only controlled by tumor cells but is strongly influenced by interactions with brain-resident stromal cells, particularly astrocytes. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing new effective therapies.
Camilla Margaroli Bell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, and Taru Dutt, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Laboratory Medicine, recently received funding from Insmed for their project, titled, “Microbial determinants and host signatures enable early risk stratification in non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD)”. The $246,000 grant will run for 18 months.
For the first time in its history, the UAB Department of Pathology is leading three of the most prestigious pathology organizations- all at one time. Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology, is serving as president of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), Gregory Davis, M.D., MSPH, Division Director, Forensic Pathology, and Jefferson County Coroner, is serving as president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and Samuel Borak, M.D., Assistant Professor, Community Practice Pathology Program, is serving as president of the Alabama Association of Pathologists (AAP).
Jianhua Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, recently received a Heersink School of Medicine Bridge Funding Award. This program aims to improve the success of research faculty experiencing gaps in funding by providing continuing research support.
The UAB Department of Pathology is pleased to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective May 4.
Casey Weaver, M.D., Leonard H. Robinson Endowed Chair in Pathology and professor in the Division of Anatomic Pathology, was named Distinguished Professor in Pathology by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees on April 29.
Two faculty members in the Department of Pathology are recipients of the UAB Presidential Bridge Funding Award. This program aims to sustain research continuity, retain talent, and provide strategic support to faculty during transitions in federal funding cycles, administrative delays, or evolving research priorities.
Paul Benson, M.D., Autopsy Section Head and professor in the Division of Anatomic Pathology and Nicholas Eisele, D.O., PGY2, Chief Resident of Education and Outreach, were recipients of the 2026 pilot award from the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health. The goal of the pilot is to catalyze innovation in any mission area that involves collaboration between experienced investigators at UAB and international partners addressing a major global health problem.
This year April 19-25 is Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, an annual celebration of medical lab professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in health care and patient advocacy led by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. This week’s theme is Lab Story: To Infinity and Beyond for our Patients!
The UAB Department of Pathology hosted its fourth annual Staff Retreat on Wednesday, April 22, which happened to be held on Administrative Professionals Day. The event featured an array of speakers and team activities.
UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) researchers joined experts from around the country to present diabetes-related research at the 17th Annual Boshell Research Day on April 17.
Vascular calcification is a major contributor to cardiovascular mortality in diabetes and is driven in part by osteogenic reprogramming of vascular smooth muscle cells. Diabetes is also associated with vascular rhythm disruption, but how circadian regulators contribute to vascular calcification is poorly understood.
April 14 marks the 13th annual Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) Day, led by the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants. PAs are often responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the anatomic pathology service and play a critical role in the delivery of healthcare services in both surgical pathology and autopsy.
The UAB Department of Pathology, in the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, is ranked number 12 for the most funds awarded to a United States pathology department by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2025. According to a list by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, which annually compiles NIH funding totals received by academic institutions, UAB Pathology secured more than $20 million in NIH funding for the fiscal year.
Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology, was installed as the 2026-2027 president of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) during the annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, effective April 1, 2026.
The Department of Pathology is thrilled to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective March 31.
The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) hosted its 115th annual meeting March 21-26 at the González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, where several members of UAB Pathology presented various topics of research.
Gene Siegal, M.D., Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Anatomic Pathology, was recently named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow for 2025. This lifetime honor recognizes members whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications in service to society have distinguished them among their peers and colleagues. Siegal has been elected to the Section of Medical Sciences.
The UAB Department of Pathology is pleased to announce the successful completion of this year's residency match program where we filled all seven of our open positions for 2026. Please join us in welcoming the following individuals to our team:
Two trainees in the Department of Pathology received first place for their poster presentations at the 42nd Annual Trainee Research Symposium hosted by the Department of Medicine.
When a patient undergoes an organ transplant, failure to match the donor and recipient can lead to the recipient's immune system attacking the new organ, a process triggered by a specific HLA (human leukocyte antigen) protein. In a recent study published in Immunity, UAB researchers uncovered consistency in how the immune system decides which part of the foreign HLA protein to attack—information that could help improve transplant success.
In March, several of our colleagues were recognized for their years of service working at UAB and the Department of Pathology. The UAB Service Awards honor employees at each five-year milestone who have completed five or more years of service to UAB.
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has shown robust potential for future utilization. One common application is its ability to provide quality assurance for practitioners in various specialties. This direction is the vision of Daniel Atherton, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pathology’s Division of Forensics, who worked with colleagues from the Institute for Biomedical Innovation to develop WoundX, a software tool for gunshot wound classification.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) recognized eight faculty members who graduated from cohort 8 of the SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program for spring 2026. The program supports junior faculty as they develop authentic leadership approaches, strengthen professional networks, and navigate the unique challenges of early academic careers.
Joanne Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, was recently elected by the British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB) as its 2026 recipient of the BSMB Medal Award. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of matrix biology through a distinguished career. Murphy-Ullrich will be recognized at the 2026 BSMB Spring Meeting in Manchester.
Peter Anderson, D.V.M., Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has recently been awarded the Edward Patrick Finnerty Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE). This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated sustained commitment to the advancement of the IAMSE through exceptional contributions to the organization. Anderson will be recognized at the 30th Annual IAMSE Conference in June.
One fellow and three residents were elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society (AΩA) in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Falone Amoa, M.D., M.S., Gian Piero Carames, M.D., PGY4, Nicholas Eisele, D.O., PGY2, Chief Resident, Education and Outreach, and Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S., PGY4, were selected to join the Honor society in February.
Craig Mackinnon, M.D., Ph.D., MSHA, Robert B. Adams Endowed Professor, Division Director, Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics, has been named director of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Laboratory by UAB Hospitals, effective immediately.
Laxman Poudel, Ph.D., a postdoctoral trainee in the laboratory of Rakesh Patel, Ph.D., Victor Darley-Usmar, Ph.D., Endowed Professor, Division Director, Molecular & Cellular Pathology, is a recipient of the 2026 American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Researchers in the Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics recently developed three new laboratory tests: IDH1 R132 Mutation Analysis, TERT Promoter Mutation Analysis and MLH1 Methylation Analysis by Methylation-Specific PCR and MassArray. These tests help provide more accurate diagnoses and support the development of effective treatment plans.