Molecular Genetic Pathology
Fellowship
Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) is the subspecialty of Pathology and Medical Genetics in which the principles, theories, and technologies of molecular biology and molecular genetics are applied to help diagnose disease, determine prognosis, monitor infections and treatment, and assess risk for genetic disorders. Molecular Genetic Pathology continues to grow increasingly essential to the practice of medicine. In the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, MGP has been recognized as an integral part of modern medical practice since 1985, when the Molecular Pathology Laboratory was founded as one of the first of its kind at a university hospital in the country. Likewise, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania was among the first training programs in the country in the early 1990s and one of the first two programs to obtain ACGME accreditation in 2002 when MGP became a recognized subspecialty.
Overview
The goal of the MGP program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is to train fellows in the practice of molecular genetic pathology, the application and interpretation of molecular laboratory techniques, and diagnostic laboratory administration. Over the course of the one-year ACGME accredited fellowship, the fellow gains experience in the application of molecular genetic pathology through service work, didactic lectures, resident teaching, involvement in laboratory administration, and hands-on test development and/or research projects through rotations at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Fellows are exposed to clinical genetics through rotations in pediatric and adult clinical genetics and biochemical genetics. Training includes exposure to a variety of methodologies including traditional PCR, cytogenetics and massive parallel sequencing assays. At the completion of the fellowship, the trainee will be eligible to take the Molecular Genetic Pathology Board examination.
Key Program Faculty
Division of Precision and Computational Diagnostics
Christopher Watt, MD, PhD
Guang (Geoff) Yang, MD, PhD
Jacquelyn Roth, PhD
Jennifer Morrissette, PhD
Malay Haldar, MD, PhD
Salvatore Priore, MD, PhD
Simon Chen, MD
Vivianna Van Deerlin, MD, PhD
Warren Pear, MD, PhD
Microbiology
Kyle Rodino, PhD
Laurel Glaser, MD, PhD
CHOP
Lea Surrey, MD
Minjie Luo, PhD
Program Requirements
Prior to the start of the program, fellows must have successfully completed at least two years of pathology residency or successfully complete a residency in medical genetics and genomics or be a physician certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG). Fellows must also be licensed or eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania. Prior experience in genetics and/or molecular biology is recommended.
Application Process
Available Positions: Up to three MGP fellowship positions are available each year. The duration of the fellowship is one year.
Timeline: The typical recruitment cycle begins in the month of July positioned two years prior to the start of the MGP fellowship. For example, the recruitment cycle for the 2024-2025 fellowship would begin in July 2022. The program officially starts accepting and reviewing applications in July of the current recruitment cycle. Applications received in the three to four months prior to a recruitment cycle are not reviewed in advance but are held on file until the start of the upcoming recruitment cycle. *Applications are only eligible for the current recruitment cycle and will not be held or carried forward to subsequent recruitment cycles.*
All application materials including supporting documents must be received by September 30th of the current recruitment cycle. Since fellowship positions are offered on a rolling basis, candidates are encouraged to submit a complete application early in the recruitment cycle. Candidates being considered for the program will be asked to interview.
Required Documents: The following documents are needed for a complete application for the MGP fellowship program. All documents submitted by the applicant should be typed to ensure legibility. Application material and letters of recommendation can be submitted to the program via email (MGPFellowship@uphs.upenn.edu).
• Completed fellowship application with signature
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement
• Photo
• USMLE or COMLEX score report
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• ECFMG certificate (only for graduates of international medical schools)
