Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
Fellowship Overview
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. To learn more about this subspecialty, visit the Division of Precision and Computational Diagnostics page.
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 for 2026-2027 Fellowship
Available Positions: Up to three MGP fellowship positions are available each year. The duration of the fellowship is one year.
Timeline: The program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is planning to participate in the Match for the 2026-2027 Fellowship. An FAQ document on the Match process for applicants is available from the Association of Molecular Pathology.
The program will officially start accepting applications for the 2026-2027 fellowship on November 1, 2024. Applications received in the months leading up to November 2024 will not be reviewed in advance but are held until the start of the recruitment cycle in November. Applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials, including supporting documents, before January 1, 2025. Please note that applications received will only be eligible for the current recruitment cycle and will not be held or carried forward to subsequent recruitment cycles.
Candidates being considered for the program will be asked to interview. Consistent with the NRMP Match timeline, interviews will begin no earlier than January 1, 2025. Interviews will be conducted virtually.
Candidates will need to register for the Pathology Fellowship Match through NMRP; this will be available starting on February 5, 2025. A detailed guide on how to make an account and register can be found on the NMRP website (see FAQ document from the Association of Molecular Pathology for additional information). Candidates can rank programs participating in the match with which they have interviewed; candidates will be able to enter their rank lists beginning March 12, 2025. Rank Order List certification must be completed by April 16,2025. Please refer to the NRMP website for additional details about the dates and times for each step in the Match process.
Match day is April 30th, 2025 at Noon EST for the 2026-2027 MGP Fellowship. The fellowship will begin for candidates who matched with the program in July 2026.
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. Applicants can submit their application material to the program via email (MGPFellowship@uphs.upenn.edu). Letters of recommendation should be addressed to the program directors and can be submitted to the program directly via email (MGPFellowship@uphs.upenn.edu). Please note that ERAS is not used for the application process for MGP Fellowship positions. Contact the program with any questions about the application process.
• Completed CAP Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships (see link)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement
• Photo
• USMLE or COMLEX score report
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• ECFMG certificate (only for graduates of international medical schools)
[Updated September 2024]
