We offer a one-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved program that provides comprehensive training for one fellow each year in the principal components of molecular genetic pathology. Fellows acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge base required to direct a molecular diagnostics laboratory.
The core laboratory rotations include didactic and practical experience in the performance and interpretation of molecular diagnostics as well as cytogenetic and biochemical laboratory tests related to solid tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, heritable genetic disorders, infectious disease, tissue typing/identity testing, and pharmacogenetics. You have direct exposure to laboratory management, quality assurance, troubleshooting, assay development and validation and instrument evaluation.
Fellows actively participate in genetic clinics and serve as a molecular genetic pathology consultants to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and care of patients. The Program is based in the Department of Pathology and co-sponsored by the Department of Genetics and Genomics Sciences. The combined test volume of the laboratories is greater than 100,000 per year using a wide variety of molecular technologies. Both the Pathology and Genetics Departments are engaged in innovative changes to embrace genomic medicine.
Candidates must be board eligible or certified in anatomic or clinical pathology or both, or in medical genetics. Candidates must be eligible for a New York State license.
Curriculum
Fellows acquire a sound knowledge base of molecular biology and molecular genetics and learn to effectively integrate clinical and laboratory data. You organize and prepare completed cases for sign-out and discussion, working with laboratory and clinical physicians, residents, patients, technologists, and ancillary staff. We ask you to attend and contribute to regularly scheduled conferences, lectures and journal clubs. You teach residents and students on rotation in the laboratories.
Research
We require fellows to participate in scholarly activity as a component of the training program. Scholarly activities include:
- Publications (oral/poster presentation at national meeting, case reports, literature review)
- Clinical research-based activity (research and evaluation of clinically relevant assays for implementation that includes clinical indication, validation plan, result interpretation, statistical analysis)
- Basic science/translational research
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between July 1 and December 31. Application should include the Standardized College of American Pathologists application, curriculum vitae, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and United States Medical Licensing Examination certificate. Starting with the July 2026 appointments, the molecular genetic pathology fellowship program will be participating in the NRMP Match. You may refer to the Association for Molecular Pathology web site regarding the timeline, and further information about the match.
Applicants should send a cover letter and the required documents to:
Bruce E Petersen, M.D.
Director, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1194
New York, NY 10029