UNC Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship

Program description: The University of North Carolina Hospitals offers a one year fellowship in molecular genetic pathology. The fellow gains a working knowledge of molecular procedures including in situ hybridization/FISH, DNA sequencing, protein truncation test, DNA/cDNA amplification, Southern blot, tissue microdissection, and array technologies including gene expression profiling and comparative genomic hybridization. These procedures are applied in a wide spectrum of clinical settings including oncology, inherited disease, infectious disease, HLA-typing, identification, and pharmacogenetics. The fellow learns to analyze and interpret molecular data from clinical cases and to compose pathology reports. Results are correlated with clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic findings. The fellow learns to design and carry out research aimed at understanding the molecular basis of disease and translating fundamental discoveries into improved patient care. Ethical issues, quality assurance, and lab administration are discussed as they relate to clinical practice. Consider applying for our combined 2-year Surgical and Molecular Pathology Fellowship Program. UNC Hospitals has the longest track record of board certifications among all ACGME-accredited molecular genetic pathology training programs.

Program requirements: MD degree. AP/CP board eligibility/certification is preferred.

Stipends: Commensurate with the year of postgraduate pathology/genetics training.

Program director: Margaret L. Gulley, MD, Dept of Pathology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525. Telephone: 919-843-4595; E-mail: margaret_gulley@med.unc.edu.

Applications: Due November 15 (1.7 years prior to the intended start date of July 1).

A description of UNC molecular programs and facilities is found at http://www.pathology.unc.edu.

For further information, please contact Ms. Janice Badstein, McLendon Clinical Laboratories, Room 1108 East Wing, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill NC 27514-4220. Telephone: (919) 966-2318.

Applying to the UNC Molecular Genetic Pathology Program

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Graduates of medical/schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), or Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or Graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school and who have either (a) a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and hold a J1 visa (H1-B visas are not sponsored), or (b) have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S. licensing jurisdiction. In order to be considered, please submit the following:

1. The Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships from the College of American Pathologists in electronic form. In lieu of this form, one may submit the UNC Hospitals Application for Housestaff Appointment, including the Signed Authorization for Release of Information.

2. Three letters of reference including one from the Program Director of the Residency which the applicant completed or anticipates completing verifying the level of training completed and competency, and two from members of the professional staff of the hospital where the applicant has most recently served.

3. The following two items need not be submitted at the time of application but must be submitted by the time of interview: An official Medical School transcript from the Registrar of the applicant’s School of Medicine. (A photocopy is not acceptable.) The UNC Hospitals Application for Housestaff Appointment, including the Signed Authorization for Release of Information.