Each year, the Molecular and Cellular Pathology graduate students host the Pathology Research Symposium. This year was their 23rd symposium, which kicked off with a welcome by MCP co-directors, Drs. Simon Hogan and Jeff Rual. This exciting symposium highlights the work of current graduate students, alumni, faculty, and guests.
One of the day's highlights was keynote speaker, Humsa Venkatesh, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School who presented on the neural regulation of cancer. Our MCP alumni were represented by Allison Naumovski, PhD, who graduated from the MCP program in 2004, having completed her research under mentor Dr. Nicholas Lukacs. She is now the scientific director of clinical development at Alpine Immune Sciences, a Vertex Company. She reviewed her professional history moving from a bench scientist to a medical science liaison, where she learned how to run clinical trials and to communicate science to non-scientists. She then transitioned to clinical development, translating basic science and disease to clinical research design and execution. Dr. Naumovski presented two drug studies for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. We are grateful to these guests for presenting at our symposium.
The symposium also highlighted three faculty mentors from the MCP program. First, Dr. Andrew Muntean, associate professor in the Department of Pathology presented “Choline Transport Contributes to Methionine Demand and Survival of Acute Leukemias.” Next on the agenda was Dr. Rajesh Rao, the Leonard G. Miller Professor, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences. His presentation was “Human Genetics – Stem Cells in the Lab and the Operating Room.” Retinal cells do not regenerate, so Dr. Rao’s research focuses on using stem cells and organoids to find a way to restore the retina and rescue vision loss. Faculty mentor Anuska Andjelkovic-Zochowski, MD, PhD, then presented on “Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Type 3: Solving the Problem of a Leaky Lesion.” In CCM, small brain capillaries are enlarged and as they enlarge, they become leaky, leaving hemosiderin deposition in the brain, which leads to inflammation.
Our MCP Students
Four of our MCP Graduate Students offered platform presentations on their current research, including Joanna Lum, an MCP student working in the Dr. Sriram Venneti laboratory; Grace McIntyre from the Dr. Analisa DiFeo lab; Koral Campbell, an MCP student in the Dr. Andrew Muntean laboratory; and Rodolfo Ismael Carera Silva from the Drs. Asma Nusrat and Charles Parkos lab.
After a day of exceptional research presentations, it was time for awards!
Best Undergraduate Student Poster: Rijul Mehta (Mentors: Siva Kumar Natarajan and Sriram Venneti)
Best Research Fellow Poster: Navyateja Korimerla (Mentor: Daniel Wahl)
Best Non-MCP Graduate Student Poster: Nicole Jerome (Mentor: Phillip Palmbos)
Best MCP Graduate Student Poster: Kristen Lozada-Soto (Mentors: Asma Nusrat and Charles Parkos)
Best Clinical Trainee Poster: Andrew Valesano (Mentor: Stephanie Skala)
Best Oral Presentation: Joanna Lum (Mentor: Sriram Venneti)
MCP Outstanding Service Award: Noah Puleo (Mentor: Analisa Difeo)
MCP Outstanding Research Award: Sanjana Eyunni (Mentors: Arul Chinnaiyan and Abhijit Parolia)
Congratulations to the winners and to all the MCP students for putting on another fantastic symposium! Next year’s Symposium will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, so mark your calendars and plan to attend.
ON THE COVER
Breast team reviewing a patient's slide. (From left to right) Ghassan Allo, Fellow; Laura Walters, Clinical Lecturer; Celina Kleer, Professor. See Article 2014Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Autopsy Technician draws blood while working in the Wayne County morgue. See Article 2016Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article 2017Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Director of the Neuropathology Fellowship, Dr. Sandra Camelo-Piragua serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. 2018Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. 2019Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. 2020Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. 2021Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. 2022Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
(Left to Right) Drs. Angela Wu, Laura Lamps, and Maria Westerhoff. 2023Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Illustration representing the various machines and processing used within our labs. 2024Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.