Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
The Harvard Medical School Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship provides extensive training in molecular diagnostics, and molecular genetics in the major Harvard teaching hospitals.
Program Overview
The Harvard Medical School Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) Training Program represents a collaboration of three major Harvard teaching hospitals (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital) as well as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Broad Institute and Laboratory for Molecular Medicine. The overall goals of this one-year accredited training program are:
- Provide extensive training in molecular diagnostics and molecular genetics, including malignant disease, inherited genetic disorders, infectious disease, neoplasia and identity testing
- Provide training in the performance and interpretation of wide spectrum of molecular, cytogenetic and biochemical laboratory tests (ranging from single mutation assays to small panels to large genomic assays)
- Gain real world experience with innovative and cutting-edge technologies in molecular pathology
- Provide training as a medical consultant in Molecular Genetic Pathology to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and care of patients
- Provide training and direct exposure to laboratory management, quality assurance, troubleshooting of molecular tests, assay development and evaluation, and instrument evaluation
- Provide training and direct exposure to clinical genetic practice through active participation in genetics clinics with the aim of better understanding the clinical implications of genetic testing
Fellows achieve the following:
- A sound knowledge base of the basic science of molecular biology and molecular genetics
- Learn to integrate molecular and clinical data and calculate genetic risk
- Develop research skills and participate in a research project
- Demonstrate good communications skills with laboratory and clinical physicians, patients, technologists and ancillary staff
- Demonstrate sensitivity to ethical issues in genetics, particularly those raised by molecular diagnostic testing
- Learn principles of clinical laboratory management, assay development and strategic planning
Teaching sessions
The fellowship is integrated with the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Genetics Training Program and shares a year-long didactic program. Weekly case review conferences, didactic lecture series, case based walkrounds and journal clubs are conducted at each of the following sites:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH)-Lab management/Molecular microbiology
- Boston Children's Hospital (BCH)-Pediatric molecular pathology
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Data science
- Laboratory for Molecular Medicine (LMM)-Cytogenetics
Rotation sites
- BWH-3 months
- BCH-3 months
- MGH-2 months
- LMM-2 months
- Elective-(i.e., Broad Institute) 1 month
Requirements
- Applicants must be board-eligible or board-certified in Pathology or Medical Genetics
- Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license
How to Apply
Timeline for NRMP Match 2026-2027:
November 1, 2024: We will begin accepting applications. All applications are due by January 1, 2025.
January 1, 2025: Programs can begin interviewing applicants
February 5, 2025 12:00PM EST: Programs and applicants begin registering for the Match and sign the legally binding Match Participation Agreement
March 12, 2025 12:00PM EST: Ranking Opens
April 2, 2025 11:59PM EST: Quota Change Deadline (Quota is the number of positions your program intends to fill in the Match. Programs no longer intending to participate must withdraw by the deadline or make any change to their number of positions in the Match).
April 16, 2025 at noon, EST: Rank Order List Certification Deadline (for PDs and applicants). Rank lists cannot be edited after this.
April 30, 2025 at noon, EST: Match day!
Application Requirements
Applications to the Molecular Genetics Pathology Fellowship for 2026-2027 need to be submitted with the following information:
- Three letters of recommendation (one from current training program director)
- Complete application form
- CV
- USMLE transcripts
- ECFMG (if applicable)
- Personal statement letter
- Photo (optional)
- All Applicants should be Board eligible or certified in Pathology or Medical Genetics
- All applicants must have a least 2 years of accredited residency training
- All Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license
Visa eligibility
- BWH sponsors J1 and H1B visas
Completed application packets and inquiries should be submitted by email to:
Department of Pathology
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-732-4699
Fax: 617-278-6934
Email: mgbpathologyfellowships@mgb.org
More information for prospective applicants can be found on our GME website
Core Faculty
There are over 40 faculty members. Representative faculty includes the following.
Brigham and Women's Hospital:
- Lynette Sholl, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Surgical Pathology
- Deborah Dillon, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Surgical Pathology
- David Miller, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics
- Jonathan Nowak, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics
- Ryan Doan, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics
- Arezou Ghazani, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics
- Scott Rodig, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Immunology
- Navin Mahadevan, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Immunology
- Vinay Mahajan, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Immunology
- Daimon Simmons, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Immunology
- Sabina Signoretti, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Cancer Biology
- Laura Macconaill, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Cancer Biology
- Shuji Ogino, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiology
- Manfred Brigl, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Microbiology
- Lynn Bry, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Microbiology
- Azra Ligon, PhD, Director Cytogenetics
- Esther Baranov, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Gastrointestinal Pathology
- Fred Bieber, PhD, Forensic Genetics
- Georg Gerber, MD, PhD, Computational Pathology
- Phillip Michaels, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Hematopathology
- Stephanie Siegmund, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genitourinary
Children’s Hospital:
- Marian Harris, MD, PhD, Director, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
- Alanna Church, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Pediatric Pathology, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program Director (BWH)
- Harrison Tsai, MD, PhD, Bioinformatics and Genitourinary Pathology
Massachusetts General Hospital:
- A. John Iafrate, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Cancer Biology
- Long Le, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Computational Pathology
- Valentina Nardi, MD, Molecular Diagnostics and Hematopathology
- Adam Fisch, MD, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Head and Neck/Endocrine Pathology
Harvard Center for Personalized Genomic Medicine:
- Matt Lebo, PhD, Director, Molecular Diagnostics
- Heather Mason-Suares, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics; LGG Fellowship Program Director
- Hana Zouk, PhD, FACMG, Molecular Diagnostics
- Sami Amr, PhD, Molecular Diagnostics
Dana Farber Cancer Institute:
- Huma Rana, MD, MPH, Clinical Director, Cancer Genetics & Prevention
Broad Institute:
- Diana Toledo, PhD, Associate Lab Director