Researchers in the Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics recently developed three new laboratory tests: IDH1 R132 Mutation Analysis, TERT Promoter Mutation Analysis and MLH1 Methylation Analysis by Methylation-Specific PCR and MassArray. These tests help provide more accurate diagnoses and support the development of effective treatment plans.

The UAB Department of Pathology is excited to announce our chief residents for the 2026-27 year and thank our 2025-26 chiefs.

On January 21, the UAB Department of Pathology honored Peter Anderson, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, with a reception celebrating his retirement featuring colleagues, family and friends of Dr. Anderson.

The UAB Department of Pathology launched its digital pathology initiative in November 2024. Today, the effort is only gaining momentum. The program’s implementation is scheduled to be completed by June 2026, but the journey has only just begun.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States, and it is more common in men, with an estimated 20,030 new male cases diagnosed in 2025. Multiple myeloma is the accumulation of clonally expanded plasma cells in the bone marrow, with risk factors such as age, race, family history of plasma cell disorder and male sex. It has been unclear why an increased risk of multiple myeloma occurs for men.

The Department of Pathology is pleased to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective January 15.

UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office would like to welcome 19 individuals in its 12th cohort of the Institute for Leadership in the spring of 2026. The goal of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership is to enhance existing personal, leadership, and management competencies while leveraging current leadership strategies and trends. The 6-month program features guest speakers from executive-level leadership positions at UAB, including former graduates of the Institute for Leadership.

The UAB Department of Pathology recently funded a $500 travel award to Saeed Zakakhosravi, M.S., who presented his research last month.

Shu Chen, Ph.D., Ona Faye-Petersen Endowed Professor in the Division of Neuropathology, and Anupam Raina, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Chen lab, co-authored a manuscript that was recently selected as an “Editors’ Pick” by the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The paper, titled, “Skin-derived α-synuclein strains from PD, DLB, and MSA induce distinct intracellular pathology and neurodegeneration,” was selected by the editors for its exceptional contribution to the field.

The human intestine is home to trillions of microscopic organisms, including hundreds of species of bacteria. In most people, these bacteria co-exist peacefully and contribute to a mutually beneficial relationship, with both human and bacteria deriving important benefits from the other. In certain individuals, however, specific bacteria are believed to provoke inflammation that characterize diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

Md Akkas Ali and Md Hasanul Banna Siam, trainees in the laboratory of Daniel Tyrrell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, are recipients of 2026 American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowships.

Andrea Kahn, M.D., a professor in the Division of Women's Health and section head of gynecologic pathology (GYN), will assume the interim role as medical director for the Department of Pathology's histology and immunohistochemistry laboratories in the Division of Anatomic Pathology, directed by Oyedele Adeyi, M.D., FRCPC, effective December 15, 2025.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) has announced funding for two pre-R01 grants for the 2025 fall cycle of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center’s O’Neal Invests program. Sooryanarayana Varambally, Ph.D., MBA, a professor in the Department of Pathology's Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology is a pre-R01 recipient for his project titled, "Evaluation of ATPase TRIP13 as biomarker in breast cancers and investigation of its functions." 

On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.

Gregory Davis, M.D., M.S.P.H., Division Director, Forensic Pathology, was installed as the 2025-2026 president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology during the annual meeting on November 17-20 in Atlanta, Georgia.

UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) honored 33 graduates of the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2025 Cohort 4 during a ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 12. The cohort completed a multi-session program designed to strengthen leadership capability for emerging leaders across the enterprise.

Erin Eun-Young Ahn, Ph.D., a professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has been named a 2025 Termeer Scholar. The Termeer Scholars Program provides mentoring, networking, and coaching for academic researchers, with the goal of helping them translate bench science into real-world impact for patients. 

The Department of Pathology is thrilled to announce four faculty’s new appointments to endowed positions. Oyedele Adeyi, M.D., FRCPC, has been named the second holder of the C. Bruce Alexander Endowed Professorship in Pathology. Selvarangan Ponnazhagan, Ph.D., has been named the second holder of the Jay M. McDonald, M.D., Endowed Chair in Laboratory Medicine. Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., has been named the second holder of the Endowed Professorship in Experimental Cancer Therapeutics. Thomas Winokur, M.D., has been named the second holder of the Robert W. Mowry, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Pathology.

The UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center announced its latest O’Neal Invests grant awardees, of which two faculty from the Department of Pathology are included. O'Neal Invests funds UAB investigators initiating new cancer-related projects to do key preliminary work to enable competitive extramural applications.

Members from the Department of Pathology gathered to celebrate esteemed milestones amongst colleagues on November 12 to recognize awards and distinctions from the past year. The event was held at the UAB West Pavilion Conference Center to honor outstanding professional service to UAB and the department.