Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Training Objectives and Duties

Objectives

  1. To become thoroughly familiar with the theory, performance, clinical interpretation and cost-effective utilization of molecular assays in inherited, infectious and neoplastic diseases and to develop facility at providing a clinical consultative liaison based on this knowledge
  2. To become familiar with laboratory preparation and handling of nucleic acids using current technologies and instrumentation. This includes genomic DNA and RNA preparation from peripheral blood, tissue and archival samples, restriction endonuclease digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from DNA and RNA, DNA sequencing, and other molecular hybridization assays as necessary and appropriate for clinical application or research
  3. To become familiar with basic administrative, technical, safety and quality control issues important for the operation of a clinical laboratory service in the area of Molecular Genetic Pathology
  4. To understand the interface between molecular assays and clinical cytogenetics by conventional and newer methods

Responsibilities

  • Clinical Responsibilities
    1. Serve as the primary professional staff contact for laboratory users requiring information of a medical or detailed nature; assist residents in performing this consultative function (see Teaching below). This may include follow-up calls to clinicians for additional information or to arrange the provision of additional samples.
    2. Oversee the preliminary review of new cases coming into the laboratory to facilitate planning and effective provision of laboratory services to users.
    3. Provide follow-up of assay progress and reporting of preliminary and final results to clinicians as requested or by phone when the case is completed.
    4. Review final assay results independently and with laboratory attending, draft preliminary or final reports for LIS.
    5. Assist with laboratory administrative projects as assigned.
  • Conferences and Meetings
    1. With the rotating resident, participate in presentation of data at weekly Divisional conferences including the MGP Trainee Education Conference.
    2. Present as requested at other intra-Divisional or outside conferences (e.g. weekly hematopathology conference, Diagnostic Pathology Conference, Clinical Genetics Case Conference)
    3. Participate in Divisional administrative meetings to gain familiarity with laboratory administrative issues.
  • Investigation and Development
    1. The MGP Fellow will participate in developmental and/or applied clinical research projects of interest to the Division (e.g. development or improvement of assays, application of existing or new assays to defined patient populations, and other studies in Molecular Genetic Pathology ).
    2. Write up results of developmental/clinical research activities for publication as appropriate including abstracts for scientific/medical meetings.
  • Teaching Responsibilities
    1. Assist in general orientation of rotating and returning senior residents to the Division and its clinical services; this includes initial oversight of resident interactions with clinical users to provide residents an introduction to the consultative functions of a molecular genetic laboratory physician
    2. Assist as requested in teaching of medical students
    3. Function as a continuing medical education resource for Division technical staff

Fellow Instruction

Fellow instruction and learning takes place in several contexts:

  1. Responsibility for active clinical case material and clinical conference presentation
  2. Individual interactions with faculty and professional staff surrounding clinical responsibilities and laboratory administration
  3. Individual interactions with faculty and professional staff surrounding laboratory projects
  4. Attendance at Division, Departmental and other Medical Center Conferences or outside scientific meetings
  5. Literature available in the laboratory, via faculty/staff recommendations, and self initiative
  6. Didactic lectures given by Divisional faculty and staff on timely molecular genetic topics such as new testing modalities, concepts in assay development and lab management

Evaluation

Interactions in clinical service, laboratory projects and conference presentations form the basis for evaluation in relation to the ACGME's six core competencies and include:

  1. Patient Care
  2. Medical Knowledge
  3. Practice Based Learning and Improvement
  4. Systems Based Practice
  5. Professionalism
  6. Interpersonal Skills and Communication

Input is solicited from all teaching faculty as well as laboratory staff in evaluating the fellow. Input from other Departmental faculty and clinical users is also incorporated as appropriate.

Primary Training Faculty and Staff

  • Tim D. Oury, MD, PhD - Director of MGP Fellowship Program, Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Marie C. DeFrances, MD, PhD - Associate Director, MGP Fellowship Program; Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Yuri Nikiforov, MD, PhD - Vice-Chair, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Marina Nikiforova, MD - Director of Laboratories, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Nidhi Aggarwal, MD - Director of the Molecular Hemato-Oncology Service; Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Simion Chiosea, MD - Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Joe Locker, MD, PhD - Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Peter Lucas, MD, PhD - Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Jianhua Luo, MD, PhD - Director, High Throughput Genome Center; Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • John Skaugen, MD – Attending Faculty, Division of Molecular & Genomic Pathology
  • Abby Wald, PhD - Assistant Lab Director