Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship

As a Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) Fellow at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, you will be at the forefront of genetic diagnostics and research, contributing to the advancement of personalized medicine. This immersive two-year program offers hands-on experience in both clinical cytogenetic and clinical molecular genetic tests, with a strong focus on the clinical application of genomic tests. The program director is Dr. Zhenya Tang and the associate program director is Dr. Sahara Cathcart.

Fellows work closely with a multidisciplinary team—including geneticists, clinicians, and bioinformaticians—to investigate the genetic basis of inherited disorders, cancers, and other complex diseases. You'll participate in interpreting both clinical cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses essential for diagnosing and managing human genetic diseases, including chromosomal microarray, high-throughput sequencing (such as whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing) data, to identify meaningful genetic variants and support clinical decision-making.

In addition to laboratory rotations, you’ll gain expertise in:

Genetic test development and validation
Clinical case sign-out and report generation
Laboratory management and regulatory compliance
Bioinformatics and data interpretation

You’ll also have the opportunity to engage in research projects, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, present at national meetings, and mentor trainees—shaping both your academic portfolio and your leadership skills.

This fellowship provides not only a deep dive into genetic technologies and data analytics but also a meaningful connection to patient care, preparing you to become a board-certified clinical laboratory geneticist ready to make a tangible impact in modern medicine.

From the Directors

Zhenya Tang, MD, PhD, FACMG, Director

We invite you to apply for our Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) fellowship. This innovative 24-month program offers comprehensive training in clinical cytogenetics/genomics, clinical molecular genetics/genomics, biochemical genetics/genomics, and clinical genetics/genomics across various laboratories and clinics.

Sahara Cathcart, MD, Associate Director

Our primary goal is to train prospective laboratory directors to be proficient in overseeing both clinical cytogenetic/genomic and clinical molecular genetic/genomic analyses. The program provides fellows with clearly defined, graduated responsibilities and delegated authority.

Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to develop translational research projects within the scope of laboratory practices.

Curriculum

YEAR 1 – FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING

6 months of Clinical Cytogenetics and Cytogenomics

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Chromosomal microarray (CMA)

Quality control and result reporting

5 months of Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics

PCR, qPCR, Sanger sequencing

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) (panels, exomes)

MLPA, Southern blotting (as applicable)

Variant interpretation (ACMG guidelines)

Inherited and acquired conditions

1 month of Clinical Biochemical Genetics (offsite)

Variant annotation, pipelines

Hands-on interpretation with bioinformatics team

Karyotyping (prenatal, postnatal, cancer)

1 month of elective

YEAR 2 – ADVANCED PRACTICE & LEADERSHIP

5 months of Clinical Cytogenetics and Cytogenomics

Interpretation of Cytogenetic Findings Across Clinical Contexts

Laboratory Workflow, Quality Control, and Troubleshooting

Clinical Utility and Appropriate Test Selection

Report Writing and Regulatory Compliance

Integration with Molecular Data and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

6 months of Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Comprehensive Variant Interpretation Using ACMG Guidelines

NGS Data Analysis and Quality Assessment

Test Design, Validation, and Limitations

Clinical Integration and Communication

Ethical, Legal, and Counseling Considerations in Molecular Genetics

1 month of Clinical Genetics (offsite)

Clinical Indications for Genetic Testing

Phenotype-Genotype Correlation

The Art of Communicating Genetic Test Results

Test Utilization and Limitations

Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Role of the LGG Specialist

1 month of elective

Compensation & Benefits

Details of the salary, benefits, and support network can be found on the College of Medicine's Residencies and Fellowships webpage.

Our department provides additional support to its molecular genetics fellows to enhance their career:

$1,000 professional development allowance per fellow for the support of academic books, board examinations and continuing education
Fellows are encouraged and supported by the department to present at scientific meetings. The department funds up to $2,500 in travel to professional meetings where the fellow presents their research.
$10 per day meal card
Close, covered, convenient parking
A UNMC-identified lab coat and a set of black scrubs
Access to Immunoquery, ExpertPath and PathPrimer; ASCP-Rise study sets; WHO series; and Biorender; other board preparations will be made available.

Facility & Resources

UNMC, and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, are home to the NCI-designated Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, Lied Transplant Center, Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education and Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, which will provide enhanced experiences in molecular diagnostics.

Being part of such a growing and innovative campus, we can offer our house officers with state-of-the-art facilities and resources. In our department alone, we have 23 primary research laboratories, lead 10 shared resource cores across campus, and direct two University of Nebraska-designated research centers. In addition to the departmental library, the McGoogan Health Sciences Library on campus has over 175,000 books and 2,400 journals. These facilities and resources are available for all of our fellows to provide them with a varied and extensive training experience.

Fellowship Faculty

Zhenya Tang, MD, PhD, FACMG - Director

Sahara Cathcart, MD - Associate Director

Changqing Xia, MD, PhD, FACMG

Jie Chen, MD, PhD

Jesse L. Cox, MD, PhD, A(ACHI)

Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, FCAP

Pamela A. Altholf, MS

Eligibility & How to Apply

Eligibility:

Applicants must have a:

A doctoral degree (MD, DO or PhD) from an accredited institution. The PhD (or equivalent) degree must be obtained in either genetics or a related field.

Graduates from a medical school outside of the United States or Canada must hold a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment.