Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic Pathology Division

The Division of Anatomic Pathology has over 35 full-time faculty located at various sites including Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Grady Memorial Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston campus, Atlanta Veteran's Administration Hospital, and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. The multiplicity of sites, each with its unique character and patient population, creates a fascinating blend of case material, research opportunities, and teaching venues largely unrivaled in this country.

Training in anatomic pathology provides residents with broad-based, hands-on experience in all aspects of diagnostic pathology, supplemented by a core of didactic lectures, structured teaching conferences, and ample elective time for specialty training and research. The anatomic pathology program can be completed as a 4-year AP/CP or a dedicated 3-year AP program. Rotations in surgical pathology, cytopathology, and autopsy pathology in a variety of locations (see above) provide an unsurpassed wealth of experiences during residency. Teaching is carried out by a distinguished faculty, many of whom are listed among the Best Doctors in America. The division enjoys national prominence in several specialty areas including: soft tissue, urologic, dermatologic, oral, renal, neurologic, and hematologic pathology. Throughout the program we emphasize graduated responsibility, with residents and fellows playing an integral role in the supervision of junior residents.

Diagnostic case signouts represent the cornerstone of the anatomic pathology rotations. These are conducted exclusively by faculty interacting directly with residents around multi-headed microscopes in state-of-the art facilities equipped with digital dictation equipment. An integral part of the program is the core lecture series which, over a three-year period, covers all topics in anatomic pathology. Aimed at practical problems, this sequence begins with tissue artifacts and processing, progresses to organ-specific pathology, and concludes with laboratory management and administration. Lectures are given by Emory faculty and selected outside guest professors. Teaching conferences include a weekly surgical pathology unknown conference, a daily surgical pathology consensus conference, a weekly gross and autopsy pathology conference, a weekly cytology consensus conference, and a monthly journal club. The departmental Pathobiology Conference allows residents to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various diseases through a critical analysis of a current scientific paper. Each year the Division of Anatomic Pathology also sponsors a CME course entitled Diagnostic Problems in Anatomic Pathology, a case-based seminar which attracts pathologists from all over the Southeast.

Our faculty have numerous and diverse research interests ranging from the basic biology of epithelial cells to clinical problems in differential diagnosis. Many have strong collaborative ties with the Winship Cancer Institute and have developed robust translational research programs and specialized centers of excellence. They are supported by exceptional facilities including a tissue bank located in the Department of Pathology, laser capture and microdissection equipment, and a digital imaging center.

Finally, as a group, we take pride in teaching and particularly in the quality of our interactions with our residents. We encourage them to seek us out to obtain help with a case, solicit career advice, or exchange ideas informally. Residents are our junior colleagues, and their accomplishments are also ours. Our goal is to "train pathologists who will make a difference" whether they chose a career path in academic medicine or in clinical practice.

Meet our Anatomic Pathology faculty...

Click HERE to view our Forensic Pathologists

Pathology Faculty Photo

Carlos R Abramowsky, MD

Professor
Pediatric Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My interests are focused on diagnosis of pediatric pathologic disorders affecting children of all ages. I take special interest in fetal and neonatal pathology and placental pathology. Other interests include: immunodeficiencies, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, placental inflammation, transplant pathology.

Research Interests -

Placental mechanisms of defense against infections, Primary Immunodeficiencies. - My research deals with placental responses (cytokines, cellular responses) to infections (HIV, malaria) that may affect the fetus. I also investigate immunodeficiencies, liver diseases, and transplantation.

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Amy L. Adams, MD

Assistant Professor
Breast Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My clinical responsibilities primarily include coverage of the surgical pathology service with an emphasis on breast pathology. Additionally, I am a renal pathologist with experience interpreting biopsies from patients with medical renal disease.

Research Interests -

- My current research focus is on clinical and translation studies of breast carcinoma.

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N. Volkan Adsay, MD

Professor
Anatomic Pathology
Oncologic Pathology
Pancreatic Pathology

Clinical Focus -

Director of Anatomic Pathology

Research Interests -

Oncologic Pathology, Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Pathology, Carcinogenesis -

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George G. Birdsong, MD

Associate Professor
Cytopathology
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

At Grady Memorial Hospital, I am the Chief of Service for Anatomic Pathology. I am most heavily involved in the busy Cytopathology service, which runs 3 free-standing Fine Needle Aspiration clinics each week in addition to processing a substantial number of atypical Pap tests. I am also working toward optimizing use of the Laboratory Information System, and improving the quality assurance procedures in the department.

Positions in national organizations -
President, American Society of Cytopathology
Member, Diagnostic Intelligence and Health Information Technology Committee, College of American Pathologists
Member, Pathology Electronic Reporting Task Force, College of American Pathologists

Research Interests -

Research Overview - I am interested in all aspects of cytopathology, and particularly quality assurance in gynecologic cytopathology. During my term as a member of the Cytopathology Resource Committee of the College of American Pathologists, I authored or co-authored several studies aimed at defining the diagnostic accuracy of the Pap test, and I have done several presentations to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee of CDC on behalf of the American Society of Cytopathology.

Pathology informatics -

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Daniel J Brat, MD, PhD

Professor
Cancer Biology
Neuropathology

Laboratory website - http://www.pathology.emory.edu/WCIPathCore/

Clinical Focus -

I am a diagnostic neuropathologist with a clinical and scientific interest in brain tumors. I am responsible, along with my two colleagues in neuropathology, for the pathlogic diagnosis of brain lesions from patients seen at Emory Healthcare Hospitals and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Hospitals. I also direct the Neuropathology Fellowship and co-direct the Pathology residency, with an emphasis on recruitment and career development.

Research Interests -

Mechanisms Underlying Glioblastoma Progression - We investigate mechanisms responsible for the biologic progression to glioblastoma (GBM), the highest grade astrocytoma, including genetic alterations, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. Progression to GBM is characterized pathologically by focal tumor necrosis, typically with surrounding pseudopalisading cells, and microvascular hyperplasia, a type of angiogenesis. We recently demonstrated that pseudopalisading cells around necrosis represent hypoxic tumor cells migrating away from central vascular occlusion, which is often associated with intravascular thrombosis. This process results in peripheral hypoxia-induced microvascular hyperplasia and neoplastic expansion outward. Since the pro-thrombotic protein tissue factor is known to be upregulated in gliomas, we are investigating whether genetic alterations or hypoxia may cause increased levels of its expression.

Regulators of Asymmetric Cellular Division in Glioblastoma Stem Cells - We study mechanisms that confer specialized biologic properties to glioma stem cells (GSC) in GBM. The Drosophila brain tumor (brat) gene normally regulates asymmetric cellular division and neural progenitor differentiation in the CNS of flies and, when mutated, leads to a massive brain containing only neuroblastic cells with tumor-like properties. We study the human homolog of Drosophila brat, Trim3, for its role in regulating asymmetric cellular division and stem cell properties in GBMs.

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Steven D Budnick, DDS

Associate Professor
Oral Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am Director of the Head and Neck Biopsy Service, which currently evaluates over 8000 biopsy specimens per year from both inside and outside the Emory system. I also developed and direct Autocheck, a sterlizer monitoring service for medical offices

Research Interests -

Mucosal dysplastic disease and salivary gland tumors -

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Cynthia Cohen, MD

Professor
Surgical Pathology
Immunohistochemistry

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of Immunohistochemistry and Image Cytometry. My clinical focus is on General Surgical Pathology with specialization in immunohistochemical assessment and quantitation of diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers in tumors. I participate in Surgical Pathology Resident and Fellow teaching, including their involvement in clinical research projects.

Research Interests -

Clinically applied research in immunohistochemistry and image cytometry - My current interests involve the study of expression of diagnostic, prognostic , and therapeutic predictive markers.This includes the use of rabbit monoclonal antibodies in breast carcinoma,in situ hybridization for cytomegalovirus, EBV-encoded RNA, and immunoglobulin light chain restriction, a panel of tumor markers in triple negative breast carcinoma, and EGFRvIII in glioblastoma multiforme.

Translational research - I collaborate with basic researchers in nanotechnology on breast cancers, and in melanoma and ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma, providing immunohistochemistry services.

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Alton Brad Farris, MD

Assistant Professor
Renal Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My primary clinical focus is renal allograft pathology and the diagnosis of medical renal disease. I am also interested in the practice of surgical pathology, particularly gastrointestinal pathology. In the area of gastrointestinal pathology, I have become increasingly interested in the area of hepatic pathology and hepatic transplantation pathology.

Research Interests -

Renal allograft pathology - I am interested in the diverse spectrum seen in renal allograft pathology and how the changes interpreted by pathologists can impact renal allograft recipients. Recently my efforts in this regard have been the study of the chronic changes in renal allografts, particularly chronic antibody mediated (humoral) rejection.

Pathology Informatics - I am interested in applying new technology in anatomic pathology. In particular, I have applied whole slide imaging to the analysis of renal biopsies to measure parameters such as fibrosis. I have also been involved in several studies in the surgical pathology subspecialties of gastrointestinal and pulmonary pathology where I have applied similar techniques. I hope that performing quantitative analysis on pathology specimens will eventually yield new insights, facilitate accurate diagnoses, and ultimately lead to optimal patient care.

Surgical Pathology - I have been involved in investigating various topics in surgical pathology, particularly in gastrointestinal and pulmonary pathology. One focus of my research has been the study of incipient neoplasia and the application of immunohistochemistry and informatics methods to help understand various disorders in surgical pathology. I enjoy collaborating with suspecialists in these areas and helping them apply new methods to eventually discover novel insights.

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Anthony Andrew Gal, MD

Professor
Surgical Pathology
Pulmonary Pathology

Clinical Focus -

Surgical pathology, pulmonary, pleural, and mediastinal pathology, infectious disease pathology, medical history

Research Interests -

- I am involved in the histopathologic diagnosis of biopsies from the lungs, pleura, and mediastinum. Furthermore, I am also involved in numerous clinicopathological and translational studies in thoracic pathology with colleagues in pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, oncology, and other basic scientists. My primary research interests are in lung cancer, where I am director the Lung Pathology and Molecular Analysis Core for the Emory Lung Cancer Program Project;
http://sisyphus.emory.edu/lungcancer/. In addition, I serve as an integral member and investigator in the Emory Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Center http://www.medicine.emory.edu/pulm/ild/ .

Pathology Faculty Photo

Xin Gao, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology
Cytopathology

Clinical Focus -

I provide clinical services in general surgical pathology and cytopathology at Grady Memorial Hospital. My goal is to become an outstanding diagnostic surgical pathologist with subspecialty expertise in cytopathology.

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Krisztina Z Hanley, MD

Assistant Professor
Cytopathology, Gynecologic and Breast Pathology

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Randy L Hanzlick, MD

Professor
Forensic Pathology

Related weblink - http://www.fcmeo.org
Related weblink - http://www.pathology.emory.edu/LabPages/Faculty_AddlInfo_HanzlickR.cfm
Related weblink - http://www.pathology.emory.edu/ForensicPathology_AP.cfm

Clinical Focus -

As the Chief Medical Examiner of Fulton County, Georgia and Professor of Forensic Pathology at Emory School of Medicine, clincial focus is centered on autopsy pathology, forensic pathology, and medicolegal death investigation.

Research Interests -

Forensic Pathology - Major interest areas include the development of professional guidelines, improvement in death investigation practices, death certification and mortality data, electronic data system development and data sharing, and the role of the medical examiner in public health surveillance and epidemiological research.

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Chunhai (Charlie) Hao, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Neuropathology
Cancer Biology

Clinical Focus -

Diagnostic Neuropathology

Research Interests -

TRAIL-induced apoptosis and cancer therapy - The goal of my research is to understand TRAIL physiology for the development of cancer therapeutic agents targeting TRAIL apoptotic pathways. TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is normally expressed by natural killer cells and plays a role in anti-tumor immunity. TRAIL is therefore a natural cancer killer and recombinant TRAIL and its agonistic antibodies to its death receptors, DR4 and DR5 are currently in clinical trials for cancer therapies. The majority of human cancers, however, develop resistant mechanisms through activation of cell survival pathways. Recently we have identified the receptor-associated proteins complex and demonstrated that the proteins complex determines TRAIL-induced apoptotic and survival signal. Taking a proteomic approach, we have isolated and identified the proteins in the complex. The proteins identified in the complex include E3 ligases and substrate proteins modified by ubiquitin and SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier). Our current efforts therefore focus on (i) the characterization of the E3 ligases-mediated ubiquitination and SUMOylation of the substrate proteins in the complex, (ii) the investigation of how the ubiquitin and SUMO modifications modulate the interaction of the substrate proteins with their binding partners and thus control TRAIL-induced apoptotic and survival signaling, (iii) the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting of the ubiquitin/SUMO modification process, and (iv) the identification of the E3 ligases and/or their substrate proteins as biomarkers predicting the cancer responsiveness to TRAIL-based therapies. These research projects are currently funded by NIH R01 and grants from Georgia Cancer Coalition and Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Randolph A Hennigar, PhD, MD

Associate Professor
Renal Pathology
Autopsy Pathology

Clinical Focus -

The Laboratory of Nephropathology and Electron Microscopy at Emory University Hospital processes between 1100-1200 renal biopsies a year. Specimens are received from all over the state of Georgia. The lab boasts a new state-of-the-art Philips Morgagni 268 electron microscope.

Autopsy Services at Emory University Hospital performs about 100 medical autopsies a year.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Stephen B Hunter, MD

Associate Professor
Neuropathology
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am co-director of the diagnostic neuropathology service with an interest in neurooncology and infectious diseases of the nervous system. I also participate in the diagnostic surgical pathology service. My clinical focus is on the integration of diagnostic neuropathology and surgical pathology.

Research Interests -

- My research interest are focused on the use of formalin-fixed parafin embedded tissue specimens for molecular analysis and diagnosis, including quantitative PCR, in-situ hybridization and DNA sequencing.

Pathology Faculty Photo

David L Jaye, MD

Assistant Professor
Hematopathology
Cancer Biology

Related weblink - http://cancer.emory.edu/leukemia/faculty.php

Clinical Focus -

I serve as an attending physician on the Hematopathology service at Emory University Hospital and as a consultant at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Grady Memorial Hospital. My clinical focus encompasses use of morphologic analysis, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, molecular diagnostic and fluorescence in situ hybridization/cytogenetics studies that are relevant to the subspecialty of hematopathology.

Research Interests -

Inflammation/ Hematopathology - Our primary focus is a C-type lectin-family receptor (CD303) expressed uniquely on the surface of human plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Limited data suggest that this receptor impacts function of these cells in innate and adaptive immunity. We have developed unique biochemical tools to better understand the structure and function of CD303 including identification of natural binding targets whether of self or non-self origin. Specific efforts focus on identifying the specific counter-receptors on these targets and better characterizing the impact of receptor-ligand engagement. A secondary project involves deciphering the role of the Bcl-6 interacting transcriptional co-repressor MTA3 in B cell lymphomas, studies done in a collaboration with Dr. P. Wade at the NIEHS.

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Carolyn S. Katzen, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

As an attending anatomic pathologist at the Crawford Long campus, I provide clinical services in general surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, and cytopathology. Our large and varied case mix at Crawford Long offers rich opportunities for residents and fellows to experience a busy general pathology service. With more than 10 years of earlier experience in private practice, I am especially interested in practice management, finance, and the evolving pathology marketplace.

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Stephen K Lau, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My signout responsibilities at the VAMC include autopsy pathology, surgical pathology and cytopathology.

Research Interests -

I am mainly interested in: - 1. Carcinogenesis - This is done mostly in collaboration with researchers from Winship Cancer Institute. The tumors under study include breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

2. Informatics - This is done in collaboration with Dr. Vijay Varma from our division at the VAMC. The goal is to improve reporting of specimens to facilitate data mining.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Melinda Moore Lewis, MD

Associate Professor
Cytopathology

Research Interests -

Women's Health Issues - I have centered my research interests on womens health issues, particularly on breast cancer. My research focus is the application of new technology, including flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), PCR, and mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF) to enhance the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive power of cytologic specimens.

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James V. Little, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My clinical focus is in surgical pathology and cytopathology at Emory Crawford Long Hospital. This includes an emphasis on bone and soft tissue pathology, breast pathology, and gynecologic oncology. I am also the Director of Pathology Services at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

Research Interests -

Quality Assurance Metrics - Collaborative work with the CDC and the University of Pittsburgh Cooperative Agreement to assess efficacy, economic impact and patient care outcomes of frequently employed metrics in Quality Assurance in the anatomic and clinical laboratories.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Bhagirath Majmudar, MD

Professor
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am a Surgical Pathologist working at Grady Memorial Hospital.I am particularly interested in Gynecologic Pathology and its clinicopathologic correlations.

Research Interests -

Research Overview - Infectious and Neoplastic Diseases in Gynecology.I am primarily interested in clinically based Pathology Research. My passion is to teach what I learn.

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Marina Mosunjac, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of Surgical Pathology department at Grady Memorial Hospital that averages 15 000 surgical specimens a year serving an economically disadvantaged population including over 4000 HIV positive patients. With Grady being a part of Georgia Cancer Center and Avon-funded Breast Cancer Center, my clinical interests include ,breast and GYN pathology as well as malignancies associated with HIV.

Research Interests -

Epidemiological and morphological changes in AIDS - My current research interest is focused on studying the epidemiological and morphological changes in AIDS associated pathology which became especially visible with the introduction of potent retroviral and protease inhibitor therapy bringing new pathological entities and a new range of toxic pathologic damage. I am involved in creating a database and a depository of HIV pathology cases in our department alone, and as a part of AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) sponsored by The National Cancer Institute.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Mario Mosunjac, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology
Autopsy Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of Autopsy Services and also a surgical pathologist. My clinical focus involves academic and administrative responsibilities related to the Autopsy Service at Emory and Grady Memorial Hospital, surgical pathology sign-out at Grady, resident and medical student teaching in autopsy techniques and procedures, participating in the Anatomic Pathology core lecture series, and Morbidity & Mortality conferences.

Research Interests -

Research Overview - My main interests are in studying clinicopathological aspects of sudden, unexpected and unusual causes of death, HIV and peripartum cardiomyopathy, changing patterns of HIV-related morbidity & mortality, and myocardial reperfusion injury.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Susan Muller, DMD

Associate Professor
Oral Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am actively involved in the head and neck pathology service, which receives specimens from the metropolitan Atlanta region and outlying counties. I provide expert consultation in the typing of odontogenic cysts and tumors, salivary gland tumors, and unusual neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Research Interests -

Overview - I collaborate with researchers at Winship Cancer Institute investigating molecular markers of oral cancer, including models of oral cancer metastasis. Another project is looking at predictors of malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia. Other research interests include participation in a chemoprevention trial for patients with oral dysplasias to see if this will impede transformation to oral cancer. Working closely with the Otolaryngologists on faculty, I am involved in the histologic typing of various head and neck tumors, particularly odontogenic and salivary gland tumors and how they relate to clinical outcomes.

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Chukwuma Onyeagocha, MD

Instructor

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Gabriela M Oprea, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology
Cytopathology

Clinical Focus -

I provide pathology and cytology services at Grady Memorial Hospital that averages 15 000 surgical and 30 000 cytology specimens/year, with active FNA clinic involvement. My emphasis is on cytological diagnosis with histopathology correlation.

Research Interests -

Breast Cancer - My current interest relates to breast cancer: The in-homogenous nature of breast cancer, proven by gene micro array represents a challenge to the researcher, and as the principal investigator of the breast tissue bank, I am interested in questioning the molecular events of breast carcinogenesis in the context of its in-homogeneity as applied to a racial diverse, economically challenged population.

HIV Infection in Women - In addition I am interested in an in depth study of the effect of the HIV infection, from reactive to neoplastic, on different organs and systems, with emphasis on women health issues.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Adeboye O Osunkoya, MD

Assistant Professor
Genitourinary Pathology
Surgical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My clinical focus is in surgical pathology with major emphasis on genitourinary pathology. I sign out general surgical pathology cases and frozen sections at both Emory University Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I also sign out autopsies, gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology cases at the latter. I handle in house genitourinary pathology consultation cases from Emory University Hospital, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Emory Midtown Hospital, Grady Hospital and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and Scottish Rite. In addition, I offer expert consultation from outside institutions in the area of genitourinary pathology (please see separate website link). I have a secondary appointment in the department of Urology and I am active in their weekly tumor boards at both the Emory University Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Research Interests -

Urologic Pathology - My research interests are mainly in the field of genitourinary pathology. I have great interest in tumors of the prostate, urinary bladder, kidney and testis.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Douglas C Parker, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology
Dermatopathology

Clinical Focus -

My primary clinical duties involve the histopathologic interpretation and diagnosis of skin lesions at both Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital. I also spend a portion of my clinical time involved in the diagnosis of surgical pathology specimens. In addition to diagnostic pathology responsibilities, I am extensively involved in the teaching of dermatology residents, pathology residents and medical students. I serve as assistant course director for the second year medical student pathology course.

Research Interests -

Melanocytic neoplasms, melanoma; unusual variants of melanoma including desmoplastic melanoma; sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma. - My primary research focus is melanocytic neoplasms, with emphasis on unusual variants of melanocytic nevi and melanoma including desmoplastic melanoma. In addition, I am involved in clinical, histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies aimed at further delineating the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma and melanocytic neoplasms of uncertain biologic potential.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Charles W Sewell, MD

Professor
Surgical Pathology
Breast Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am a surgical pathologist with twenty-five years and special expertise in Breast Pathology.

Research Interests -

Breast Disease - Current investigative activities in breast disease are concentrated in pathologic-mammographic correlation studies. There is particular interest in core needle biopsy, radial sclerosing lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ, atypical ductal hyperplasia, and lesions which produce mammographic distortions such as lobular carcinoma.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Shobha Sharma, MD

Assistant Professor
Surgical Pathology
Gastrointestinal Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am the interim Director of Surgical Pathology at the Emory University Hospital, and I also co-direct the residency program. In addition to subspecialty expertise in medical gastrointestinal and hepatopathology, I have a strong and broad interest in all aspects of general surgical pathology particularly as they relate to preparing residents to become pathologist physicians.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Bahig M Shehata, MD

Associate Professor
Pediatric Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I practice and teach in the area of pediatric anatomic pathology, primarily at the Egleston campus of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

My primary focus is in the area of cardiovascular pathology in general, and specifically in Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy where I have the registry for this disease with an attempt to identify the gene for this fatal childhood disease.

My other area of interest is in Hirschsprung disease, and intestinal dysmotility in children.

My general interest is in the area of childhood tumors with an emphasis in diagnostic, molecular and genetic basis.

Research Interests -

Identification of the gene for histiocytoid cardiomyopathy - I maintain the registry for histiocytoid cardiomyopathy. We are currently performing comparative genomic hybridization from the available tissue in the registry.

Neuroblastoma Animal Model - Identification of new therapeutic modalities in animal model. This result set will be applied to Phase I trial in children with neuroblastoma who fail all other regimens of treatment.

Causes of Still Birth - Through a nationwide NIH grant, we are performing fetal and placental evaluation in an attempt to find causes of unexplained still births.

Cartilage Insury in Hemophelia Animal Model - We are examining hemophelic mice knees to grade the degree of cartilage damage in an attempt to explain cartilage injury in hemophelic children.

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Gabriel Sica, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

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Momin T Siddiqui, MD, FIAC

Associate Professor
Cytopathology

Clinical Focus -

I am the Divisional Director of Cytopathology and also the Director of Cytopathology Fellowship Training Program for Emory University Hospitals. My clinical focus involves academic and administrative responsibilities related to the Cytopathology Laboratory, Fine needle aspiration service, resident and fellow teaching and participating in the Anatomic Pathology lecture series for residents and fellows.

Research Interests -

Molecular marker usage in Cytopathology - My current interests include usage of molecular markers in Fine needle aspiration and cervical cytology specimens for further characterization of neoplastic lesions. I am currently working on metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal primary tumors for detection of HPV, utilizing HPV in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Talaat S Tadros, MD

Associate Professor
Surgical Pathology
Cytopathology

Clinical Focus -

Performing and interpreting the Fine Needle Aspiration on Superficial palpable masses in the Comprehensive Cancer Center (15-25 cases) in clinics weekly ¿ Adequacy evaluation for non-palpable masses performed by Radiology,Pulmonary and Gyn departments.Interpretation of GYN (Pap smears-60 cases/day) and non-GYN Cytology cases

Research Interests -

Human papillomavirus in cervical pre-invasive lesions and cervical carcinoma - Collaboration with CDC focuses upon the detection of the molecular aspects of Human papillomavirus in cervical pre-invasive lesions and cervical carcinoma. Federally funded (Molecular signature of cervical cancer, NCI Early Detection Network-IA99 007) Collaborate Other interest: Breast Diseases

Anal Pap Smears -

Breast FNA -

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Vijay Alluri Varma, MD

Associate Professor
Surgical Pathology
Pathology Informatics

Research Interests -

Cancer Genetics - Molecular genetics of prostate cancer
Biomarker discovery

Informatics - Data modeling, Data mining, Data visualization

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Dwight R Weathers, DDS, MSD

Professor
Oral Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am an Oral, Head and Neck Pathologists on service at Emory Hospital. I also hold an Oral Disease Clinic, diagnosing and treating unusual oral diseases and conditions at the Emory Clinic. I also am Director of the Office of Dental Programs, providing services and support for Emory dental alumni.

Research Interests -

Overview - - My research has largely been translational. The etiology and progression of mucosal dysplasia in the oral cavity is one of my primary areas of interests. I am also actively involved in the treatment of vesiculobullous diseases of the oral cavity, particularly, lichen planus.

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Sharon W Weiss, MD

Professor
Surgical Pathology
Soft Tissue Pathology

Clinical Focus -

Dr. Weiss is a surgical pathologist who directs Emory's Expert Consultation Service in Anatomic Pathology. She specializes in the diagnosis of bone and soft tissue neoplasms and oversees a large soft tissue diagnostic service which encompasses over 3000 cases sent to her for a second opinion as well as cases from within the Emory system. Her daily signouts which include residents, a soft tissue fellow, and occasionally visitors from other institutions provide the educational venue for review of these materials. In addition she directs the ACGME-accredited year long soft tissue fellowship.

Dr. Weiss is also the newly appointed Associate Dean for Faculty Development (part-time) and is responsible for the development of school of medicine wide initiatives for developing programs to enhance faculty success.

Research Interests -

Clinicopathologic features and biomarkers of soft tissue neoplasms - Dr. Weiss' research focuses on the clinicopathologic features and biomarkers that characterize soft tissue neoplasms. Her publications have centered on the several themes: borderline vascular tumors, pleomorphic sarcomas, and dedifferentiation in liposarcomas. She is attributed with seminal descriptions of a number of new entities including pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor of soft parts, paraganglioma like dermal melanocytic tumor, spindle cell hemangioma, and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

In Memoriam: Michael B. Gravanis, MD (1929 - 2008)

We are saddened by the loss of our fellow pathologist, Dr. Michael Gravanis, an indefatigable friend and faculty member of this Department for more than 40 years, who also served as its Chair from 1969 until 1985.

Born in Greece, Dr. Gravanis earned his medical degree and trained as a surgeon for two years there before moving to the United States in 1959. He then completed residency and fellowship training in pathology at institutions that included McGill and the University of Texas at San Antonio, before being recruited to Emory in 1965, initially to serve as Director of Anatomic Pathology for Grady Hospital. Here he joined forces with eminent cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, such Drs. J.W. Hurst and A. Gruentzig, to conduct landmark clinical and experimental studies of the heart and vasculature that, over the course of his long, distinguished career, established his reputation as a leading figure in cardiovascular pathology. He is particularly credited for his insights into the histologic effects and complications of balloon angioplasty, as well as the role of cellular immunity in chronic cardiac allograft rejection, and for his studies of mitral valve prolapse, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hypersensitivity myocarditis. In all, he wrote or co-authored more than 100 scientific papers and three dozen book chapters, and edited three books on cardiac and vascular diseases. His passion for cardiac pathophysiology shone through in his teaching, and he remained active in the classroom and in clinical teaching conferences as recently as last year, long after his rise to Emeritus Professor in 1985.

A prolific poet for whom the heart was inexhaustible as both metaphor and muse, he also published a compendium of verse, aptly entitling it �Pulsations�.

Dr. Gravanis died in December at Emory University Hospital at age 79, following a long illness.

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