Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship

Our one-year ACGME-accredited Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship offers comprehensive exposure to all areas of molecular diagnostics and molecular pathology including those in solid tumor oncology, hematopathology, inherited diseases, infectious diseases, human identity testing, and histocompatibility.  The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Human Genetics Laboratory and Nebraska Collaborative Laboratory perform over 30,000 tests a year utilizing various technologies including next generation sequencing, cytogenomic arrays, FISH, real-time PCR, reverse-transcriptase PCR, pyrosequencing, PCR/fragment analysis and various multi-analyte platforms. 

The fellow will also have the opportunity to rotate in the microbiology laboratory and Nebraska Public Health Laboratory to learn about the role of molecular technologies in the epidemiology of infectious diseases and biopreparedness.  The fellow will benefit from interactions with over 15 faculty members who are nationally known in the fields of molecular diagnostics, oncology, genetics and inherited diseases, infectious diseases and histocompatibility.

The Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow will attend the following conferences:

• Heme Journal Club (Monthly)
• Residency Journal Club (When topic is applicable)
• LOT meetings (Every 2 weeks)
• Lab Medicine (Bi-weekly)
• Molecular FISH/CYTO (When on rotation)
• Heme Path CPC (Monthly)
• Staff & Research Development (Weekly)
• Genetic case conference (Weekly Monday)
• Molecular Lab meeting
• Clinical Development meeting (Weekly Wednesday)

Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow will present at:

• Heme Journal Club (Monthly)
• Resident 8:00am Unknowns (As scheduled)
• Leukemia Tumor boards (Weekly)
• Molecular Tumor boards (Weekly)

Details of the salary, benefits, and support network can be found at the College of Medicine's Graduate Medical Education.

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.
• $10.00 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; AMP Review Course; ASCP-Rise study sets; WHO series; and Biorender.
• Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice book.

UNMC, and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, are home to the NCI-Designated Fred and 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 twenty-three primary research laboratories, lead ten 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.

• Sahara Cathcart, MD
•  Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, FCAP - Director
• Jesse Cox, MD, PhD
• Neha Gupta, MD
•  Teresa Karre, MD
•  Terrance Lynn, MD
• Weiwei Zhang, PhD

We are filled for 2025-2026 & 2026-2027.

Applicants for the molecular genetic pathology fellowship program can either be MD or DO, and must be board eligible or certified in anatomic pathology or combined anatomic and clinical pathology. The position is for one year from July 1 – June 30.

Applicants must submit a complete application package to Dani Blum.  The package includes  the CAP standardized fellowship application form, a curriculum vitae, personal statement, United States Medical Licensing Examination summary sheet showing  results (parts 1,2 and 3), AP/CP board certification (if applicable), Dean's Letter, Medical School transcript, Medical School diploma and three letters of recommendation.  The personal statement should include a brief overview of the applicant's interest, related experiences, and long term career goals.  The three letters of recommendation should include one letter from the current Program Director, and two from other physicians or graduate advisors who know the applicant well, international medical graduates must also submit a copy of a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate.