Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship

Description

The UWMC Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) fellowship is a sub-specialty training program leading to potential certification by the American Boards of Pathology and Medical Genetics on successful completion of this ACGME-accredited fellowship and subsequent board examination.  The overall goal of the program is to specifically train fellows in the practice of diagnostic molecular pathology, the use and interpretation of molecular laboratory techniques, and in the independent administration and directing of a molecular laboratory.  The fellowship program is structured to include didactic, clinical and laboratory experiences in the following areas:

• General principles and medical knowledge of molecular biology and molecular diagnostics
• Clinical practice of molecular genetic pathology diagnostics, including:
  • Appropriate use and interpretation of molecular assays
  • Performance and trouble-shooting of molecular technologies
  • Hands-on practical and sign-out experience in various molecular laboratories:
    • Genetics, including adult, pediatric, biochemical, and collagen laboratories
    • Molecular hematopathology
    • Molecular microbiology and virology 
    • Solid tumor molecular oncology, including next-generation sequencing (UW-Oncoplex™, ColoSeq™ and BROCA)
    • Cytogenetics, includes prenatal, cancer, and solid and hematopoietic FISH/ISH, and array-CGH based analyses
    • Clinical immunogenetics
• Laboratory administration
  • Quality control and quality improvement projects
  • New assay development, validation and implementation
  • Personnel management
  • Regulatory and fiscal issues
• Surgical pathology and autopsy rotations (for medical genetics-trained fellows only)
• Clinical genetic rotations  (for pathology-trained fellows only)
• Other scholarly and didactic activities
  • Research project(s), as possible
  • Didactic seminar experiences

This fellowship will focus on key competency areas for professional growth and development, including Patient care, Medical knowledge, Practice-based learning and improvement, Interpersonal and Communication skills, Professionalism, and Systems-based Practice (see Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 11(6)-497, 2009).  Throughout each of the laboratory and clinical rotations, the fellow is expected to accomplish rotation-specific goals, including acquisition of pertinent technical and clinical knowledge, provision of professional patient care, and active contribution to the specific field of molecular diagnostics through clinical service provision, correspondence with clinical and laboratory colleagues, and related scholarly activities.

 Annual Schedule

Goals and Objectives

 

Program Aims

• To train MGP fellows in the practice of diagnostic molecular pathology, the use and interpretation of molecular laboratory techniques, and in the independent administration and directing of a molecular laboratory.
• Applicants to the program will be evaluated with respect to individual’s unique contribution and qualifications, in the context of how their experiences, perspective, and background will address diverse medical and societal needs.
• The fellowship is structured to include:
  • Education in general principles and medical knowledge of molecular biology and molecular diagnostics
  • Clinical practice of molecular genetic pathology diagnostics, including:  
    • Scholarly and didactic activities
    • New test development and validation
    • Laboratory administration
    • Regulatory exposure, with opportunities to participate in real or mock laboratory inspections
    • Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the interpretation and application of genetic information
    • Medical genetics clinical experience, interaction, consultation and correlation with an emphasis on integration of services (for pathology trainees)
  • Anatomic and Autopsy Pathology (for non-pathology trainees), and recognize potential practice limitations
  • CP-only trainees: AP exposures, recognize potential practice limitations
  • AP-only trainees: Exposure and emphasis of topics typically covered in CP training (eg Lab management, validation, QC/QA), recognize potential practice limitations

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed the training required for certification in Clinical and/or Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. This requirement may be waived by the Program Director in exceptional cases.

Stipend & Benefits

Appointment is for one year. Salary and benefits are based on the schedule for residents at an equivalent level. Fellows are encouraged to apply for extramural funding if additional years of research training are desired.

For More Information

David Wu, MD, PhD Department of Laboratory Medicine University of Washington

Application & Instructions for Pathology Fellowships   This program will follow the MGP Unified Timeline for AY2027-28. .   For more information, please contact our Academic Programs Coordinator.