Clinical Pathology

Clinical Pathology Division

The Division of Laboratory Medicine within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine provides diagnostic laboratory testing services for Emory University Hospital, Emory Crawford Long Hospital, Wesley Woods Hospital, Winship Cancer Institute and all locations of the Emory Clinic. The division also provides professional oversight for the operations of the Emory Medical Laboratory, which serves as a fully certified reference laboratory and provides specialized, esoteric testing and consultative expertise to hundreds of local, regional, national and international clients. Overall, the Emory Medical Laboratory performs nearly 3.5 million tests per year and employs over 400 laboratory professionals.

The Division of Laboratory Medicine is comprised of over 25 faculty members who actively participate in the clinical, research and education missions of Emory Healthcare. Faculty members oversee a broad range of clinical testing sections that include Core Labs, Transfusion Medicine and Hemapheresis, Flow Cytometry, Hematopathology, Molecular Diagnostics, Special Chemistry, Special Coagulation, HLA, Immunology, Microbiology and Oncology Cytogenetics. Accredited residency training is available in Clinical Pathology (CP), Anatomic Pathology (AP) and AP/CP with fellowship training available in Transfusion Medicine, Hematopathology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Genetic Pathology, and Clinical Chemistry.

Meet our Clinical Pathology faculty...

Pathology Faculty Photo

Robert A Bray, PhD

Professor
HLA and Transplantation

Clinical Focus -

I co-direct, along with Dr. Howard Gebel, the busy HLA laboratory at Emory University Hospital, which provides histocompatibility testing to support transplantation services at Emory Healthcare and beyond.

Research Interests -

Overview - - The thrust of my research has been almost exclusively applied. Since my training and clinical responsibilities encompass two quite distinct entities, my research has also moved in several directions. However, an underlying theme has been the application of "State-of-the-Art" technology, specifically Flow Cytometry, to advances in diagnostic testing. In the area of transplantation, my projects have focused on the flow cytometric crossmatch and flow cytometric detection of alloantibody in patients awaiting transplantation. Our research efforts have essentially helped "set the standard of practice" for flow cytometric crossmatching and antibody identification in the United States. Additionally, we were one of the first laboratories to pioneer the area of microbead technology and its applications in clinical histocompatibility testing. Work that has been published from this laboratory has not only changed laboratory practice, but has been the foundation for changes in government (CLIA) and society (ASHI and UNOS) standards which regulate histocompatibility testing laboratories. In the area of clinical diagnostic flow cytometry, we have focused on cutting-edge applied projects. Our work has been primarily aimed at the utility of cytometry in the detection and classification of hematopoietic disease. To this end, our laboratory has been one of the leaders in flow cytometric analysis, an interpretation of leukemia/ lymphoma immunophenotyping. Of special interest have Read more...

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Eileen M Burd, PhD

Associate Professor

Clinical Focus -

As director of the clinical microbiology laboratory, my clinical focus primarily involves overseeing testing of specimens related to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. In addition to routine bacteriology, the Microbiology Laboratory covers a wide range of disciplines inlcuding mycology, parasitology, virology and mycobacteriology. I am also responsible for overseeing the infectious disease serology testing done in the Immunology Laboratory and am involved in diagnostic testing using molecular assays. I interface with the Infectious Disease faculty and Pharmacy staff and have an active role in Infection Control and Antibiotic Subcommittee.

Research Interests -

- My research interests generally focus on the evaluation of new tests and instrument platforms for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Most of my current interest concerns bacterial resistance mechanisms, which have become increasingly complex and are sometimes difficult to detect in the clinical laboratory.

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Angela M Caliendo, MD, PhD

Professor
Molecular Diagnostics
Microbiology

Clinical Focus -

I am Vice Chair and Director of Clinical Pathology and Emory Medical Laboratories, as well as the Medical Director of the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics laboratories, and an Attending Physician for Infectious Diseases at Emory University Hospital.

Research Interests -

Studies of HIV in the female genital tract - In collaboration with Dr. Susan Cu-Uvin at Brown University, we are evaluating HIV-1 RNA burden and the development of antiretroviral resistance in the plasma and cervical secretions of HIV-1 seropositive women. The goal of these studies is to determine how viral load levels and resistance profiles differ in the female genital tract and plasma compartments. This work has implications for both vertical and heterosexual transmission of HIV-1.

Development and evaluation of molecular testing for Infectious Diseases - My research laboratory has been actively involved in the development and clinical evaluation of molecular tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases. These studies focus on both the analytical and clinical performance of the tests.

Co-Director of Virology and Drug Discovery Core for the Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) - The preclinical and clinical virology laboratories provide support to investigators studying HIV by providing a range of molecular testing for the detection and monitoring of SIV, HIV-1, HIV-2, CMV, HCV, and sexually transmitted diseases. This testing supports investigators at Emory as well as those associated with other CFAR centers across the United States. The Core is also involved with training investigators in molecular methods.

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Alexis B Carter, MD

Assistant Professor
Pathology Informatics

Clinical Focus -

As Director of Pathology Informatics, I coordinate projects and translate functional needs related to our various laboratory information systems at the faculty level between the Departments of Pathology and Information Services. My clinical responsibilities also include interpretation of high-complexity tests in molecular hematopathology, fluorescence in-situ hybridization and immunology.

Research Interests -

Software Development for Laboratories - Laboratories benefit from small software programs that fill gaps in functionality left vacant by Laboratory Information Systems (LIS). These small and easy-to-code programs increase efficiency, decrease turnaround time and improve the quality of patient care by performing complex calculations, automated quality control checking, error flagging and unique functionality specific to discrete pathology subspecialties.

Web Application Development for Laboratories - The use of the Internet and Wide-Area Networks have revolutionized the field of medicine. The specialized nature of Pathology and its subspecialties make the Internet the ideal venue by which clinical services can be delivered. This includes telepathologic diagnosis on specimens required at remote sites as well as electronic order entry and result display to and from outreach facilities. Efforts to begin telepathology services are currently being investigated.

Laboratory Information Systems for Molecular Diagnostic Testing - Few systems exist that meet the data storage needs of specialized laboratories which perform molecular tests. This is primarily because of the relative newness of the field and the high complexity of the testing. I am developing systems that meet these needs in both the clinical and research arenas in an open-source format.

Molecular testing on paraffin-embedded tissues. - Tissues which have been fixed and subsequently embedded in paraffin constitute the vast majority of solid tissues stored in the pathology laboratory. Unfortunately, these tissues are not the best specimens for molecular techniques. Degradation of genetic material, difficult-to-remove inhibitors and fixatives containing chemicals which prevent the polymerase chain reaction all contribute to difficulty or inability to use these tissues for diagnosis. I am interested in discovering new ways to extract genetic material that will improve our ability to perform testing on these pervasive specimens.

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Alexander Duncan, MD

Assistant Professor
Hemostasis and Coagulation

Clinical Focus -

Thrombophilia and Congenital & Acquired

Hemostasis- Complications of Pregnancy & Reproduction

Research Interests -

Thrombophilia - Congenital & Acquired

Hemostasis - Complications of Pregnancy & Reproduction Dr. Duncan and his staff have identified several profiles that identify patients at higher risk for problems and in particular have recognized that a particular analyte Lipoprotein (a) has a much higher frequency in this population and may be an important predictor of future pregnancy problems. As a result of this work on infertility patients he has devised a protocol now used by all major IVF groups in Atlanta in which LMW heparin is started prior to embryo transfer and this has apparently improved the pregnancy success rate. He believes the whole infertility and early pregnancy failure area offers significant opportunity for further study on the involvement of the hemostasis system in diagnosis and monitoring of these patients in the first trimester.

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Corinne Renee Fantz, PhD

Assistant Professor
Clinical Chemistry

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of the Core Laboratory at Emory Crawford Long Hospital and the Director of Point of Care Testing for Emory Healthcare.

Research Interests -

- My primary research interest centers around laboratory testing in the pregnant patient including new ways to assess fetal lung maturity. Currently, there is no means by which to predict whether or not infants will be born with RDS. Other projects include collaborations with EUH faculty to assess hemostasis in the pregnant patient and risk of fetal demise.

Clinical Chemistry - Investigation of potential markers for respiratory distress syndrome in neonates using proteomic techniques.

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Howard M Gebel, PhD

Professor
HLA and Transplantation

Clinical Focus -

Dr. Robert Bray and I co-direct the HLA laboratory that provides histocompatibility testing for transplantation. My clinical focus revolves around increasing allocation of deceased donor kidneys to highly sensitized patients awaiting renal transplantation. My approach is to accurately identify and define HLA antibodies in such patients.

Research Interests -

Transplantation Immunology - My main interest focuses on the clinical implications of donor specific HLA antibodies in renal transplant recipients.

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Jeannette Guarner, MD

Associate Professor
Pediatric Pathology
Infectious Disease Pathology

Research Interests -

Helicobacter pylori infections in children and adults. - When I was working at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico, I started studying the acute and chronic effects of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults. Together with Stanford University and a group in Chiapas State in Mexico, we did a case control trial to see if eradiaction of H. pylori decreased the amount of preneoplastic lesions. My interest has expanded to the study of this infection in children and I am currently involved in several projects in this population.

Emerging and Re-emerging infections - Upon arriving at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I was integrally involved in high-prorfile outbreak investigations of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The CDC pathology team has developed a variety of immunohistochemical and molecular assays to detect these patholgens. Detection of microbial antigens by immunohsitochemical methos in tissues has to be correlated with other laboratory tests. The combination of tissue and laboratory diagnosis of infectious agents is of vital importance to detect these emerging and re-emerging infections so that public health authorities place control and prevention measures.

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Charles E Hill, MD

Assistant Professor
Molecular Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am engaged in development of clinical pharmacogenetic testing and molecular tumor diagnostics, as well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the molecular diagnostics laboratory. I am also involved in the clinical interpretation of protein electrophoresis and autoimmunity testing.

Research Interests -

- I am participating in a variety of research projects centered on translating basic science research into clinical practice. We have been investigating the role of virally encoded oncogenes in aggressive behavior of laryngeal papillomatosis, the clinical utility and implementation of pharmacogenetics, and the development of tests for diagnosis or prognosis in a variety of malignanacies.

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Christopher D Hillyer, MD

Professor
Transfusion Medicine

Clinical Focus -

Safe Blood and Blood Product Transfusion for all patients. Appropriate usage of blood products. Viral testing of blood and blood products. TRALI (Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury). TT-CMV (Transfusion-Transmitted Cytomegalovirus). Safe transfusion practices in Sub-Saharan Nations.

Research Interests -

Division of Research and Division of Biotechnology, Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies - The primary focus of my laboratories, and indeed the Division of Research within the Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies (CTCT) which I direct, is the advancement of safe and effective blood transfusion and related biological therpies worldwide. Within this Division, we have 2 sections - the Section of Basic and Translational Research and the Section of Clincal Research. Within the Section of Basic and Transplational Research, we have 5 major program units each investigating a specific topic via a team approach (see also Roback, Zimring, Logdberg, Waller, Mocarski); each of these has several components. Some of these include: 1) transfusion-transmitted CMV (TT-CMV) including basic and translational research investigations to understand the specific molecular and cellular events required to infect a naive recipient via transfusion or transplantation using novel murine models, 2) adoptive immunotherapy and novel vaccine strategies tested in murine models with a focus on mitigating CMV infection and GVHD in immunocompromised recipients, 3) investigations into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of alloimmunization to RBC antigens and immune mediated RBC destruction using novel murine models, 4) understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), again via a novel animal model, and 5) stem cell "plasticity" and regenerative medicine, with particular reference to hematopoietic and pancreatic stem cells. Within the Section of Read more...

Pathology Faculty Photo

Krista L Hillyer, MD

Assistant Professor
Transfusion Medicine

Clinical Focus -

I direct the Red Cross blood service in the Atlanta region, which is one of the largest transfusion centers in the United States.

Research Interests -

- I am particularly interested in blood donation among African American and other minority donors.

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Jeannine T Holden, MD

Associate Professor
Hematopathology

Research Interests -

- Diagnostic hematopathology, with particular emphasis on flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Minimal residual disease, interobserver variability in interpretation of flow data, and significance of light scatter properties are current areas of investigation. Collaborative efforts include characterization of ophthalmic lymphomas and a mouse tumor model for characterization of T suppressor cells.

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 may impact function of these cells in innate and adaptive immunity. Specific roles in antigen uptake and antagonism of TLR-mediated stimulation have been proposed. Nonetheless, receptor activities are poorly characterized and natural ligands have not been described. Thus, we have developed unique biochemical tools to better understand structure and fucntion of CD303. We have demonstrated lectin activity and identified interesting binding targets including an important pathogen (non-self) and normal leukocyte subset (self). Specific efforts focus on identifying the specific counter-receptors on these targets and better characterizing the functional impact of counter-receptor engagement. A second 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.

Translational cancer research - In these projects, we employ a powerful technology, random peptide phage display, to (1) derive dendritic cell targeting peptides for use in beneficially modifying cell composition of allogeneic stem cell transplantation grafts, in collaboration with Dr. E. Waller in Bone Marrow Transplantation at the Winship Cancer Institute, and to (2) create novel targeting liposome-based nanocarriers for brain tumor therapy, in collaboration with Dr. R. Bellamkonda, a biomedical engineer at GA Tech.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Cassandra D Josephson, MD

Assistant Professor
Pediatric Transfusion Medicine

Clinical Focus -

I am the Assistant Director of Atlanta Blood and Tissues Services at Children's Healthcare of. I am also a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist who specializes in treating patients with hemostasis or thrombosis conditions.

Research Interests -

Pediatric Transfusion Medicine, hemostasis, and hematology, oncology - My research focus is in transfusion medicine issues as they relate to pediatric hematology and hemostasis, specifically, with regard to sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, neonatology, and open heart surgery.

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David D Koch, PhD

Associate Professor
Clinical Chemistry

Clinical Focus -

I serve as Director of Clinical Chemistry, Toxicology, and Point-of-Care Testing at Grady Memorial Hospital. My particular interests include the cost-effective utilization of laboratory medicine for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and toxicology applications, as well as the reduction of non-analytical sources of error. I am currently Secretary of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry.

Research Interests -

Research Overview - I engage in the following research activities:
1. The proper approach to and science behind the evaluation of clinical laboratory methods.
2. Investigation of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of disease.
3. Method development and evaluation of clinical laboratory technology for new applications, and for diagnostic reagent and instrument companies.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Shiyong Li, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Hematopathology

Related weblink - http://www.ijcep.com/

Clinical Focus -

Hematopathology - morphology, flow cytometry and molecular diagnostics

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for hematolymphoid and solid organ tissue malignancies

Research Interests -

Hematolymphoid malignancies - Using modern technology such as flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization, laser-captured microdissection and cDNA microarray, I am especially interested in (1) investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of leukemo/lymphomagenesis; (2) identification of new marker(s) to aid in diagnosis and in predicting the clinical outcome of malignant hematopoietic disorders; (3) development of new diagnostic tests in the field of hematopathology.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Lennart E Logdberg, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Transfusion Medicine

Clinical Focus -

My clinical interests are in Clinical Pathology, particularly Transfusion Medicine/Blood Banking. I direct the transfusion services at Crawford Long Hospital.

Research Interests -

Lipocalins: Probing the Mechanisms of Allergy - This project aims to identify molecular properties of allergens responsible for their intrinsic allergenicity by focusing on the set of structurally and functionally homologous proteins of the lipocalin family that comprise the major mammalian respiratory allergens. We hypothesized that conserved molecular motifs in these lipocalins, via non-IgE interactions with the innate immune system, promote IgE-dependent allergy. In support, we recently demonstrated the presence of inducible lipocalin receptors on mast cells. This suggests roles for direct mast cell-lipocalin interactions (a) in the development and maintenance of the hypersensitive phenotype of allergy patients (xenogeneic lipocalins) and (b) in normal mast cell physiology (endogenous lipocalins), to be delineated by our ongoing investigations.

Development of a Murine Model of Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) - TRALI, an increasingly recognized, potentially severe complication of transfusion, is characterized by respiratory distress and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. A diagnosis of exclusion, it is now listed as the leading cause among FDA-reported transfusion-related fatalities. TRALI is linked to presence of alloantibodies to leukocytes, but also depends on other blood component and recipient factors. In the relative absence of experimental animal studies, the pathophysiology of TRALI remains poorly characterized. To address this we aim to develop a robust murine TRALI model, based on transfused alloantibodies.

Stem Cells and Pancreatic Islet Regeneration - We observed reversal of Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus after bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) in chimeric mice. The chimeric murine model was originally developed to study possible in situ repopulation of pancreatic islets by donor-BM-derived beta cells, but we found such islet cells to emerge only at low levels. Instead, the beta-cells of regenerated islets in STZ-mice that return to euglycemia after BMT are of recipient origin. We hypothesize that the exogenous BM-cells directly contribute to endothelial pancreas regeneration, in turn, promoting regeneration of endocrine pancreas from endogenous precursors.

Pathology Faculty Photo

Karen P Mann, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Hematopathology

Clinical Focus -

My clinical focus is in the area of neoplastic and non-neoplastic hematopathology of adults and children with an emphasis on a multifaceted approach including morphology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, cytogenetics, and molecular testing. This approach is used to diagnosis the full range of hematopoietic malignancies and to evaluate for residual or recurrent disease following treatment. As Director of Molecular Hematopathology, I additionally have a leading role in supervising the development and evaluation of new molecular hematopathology tests in order to maintain a state-of-the-art diagnostic hematopathology laboratory.

Research Interests -

Overview - - My research interests focus on the development of new molecular diagnostic tests and flow cytometric targets which can aid in the diagnosis, subclassification, determination of prognosis, and treatment monitoring in patients with hematopoietic neoplasms. In addition, I am interested in evaluation of the usefulness of newly identified mutations both as diagnostic targets as well as possible targets of directed therapies. I am also interested in the monitoring and significance of minimal residual disease in different hematopoietic disorders.

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Ross J. Molinaro, PhD

Assistant Professor

Clinical Focus -

I serve as the Assistant Director of Core Laboratories at Emory Crawford Long Hospital.

Research Interests -

Clinical Translational Research - The focus of our laboratory is the development of clinical based testing methods, clinical utility examination, clinical trial testing, routine and special method development, clinical method validation, and clinical pathology translational research. Our goal is to assist intra- and inter-institutional Principal Investigators, Diagnostic Companies, and Industy affiliates with the analytical transition of research based testing methods to clinical diagnostics.

Genomic and Proteomic Biomarkers - Our laboratory also investigates genomic and proteomic biomarkers of disease, including diabetes, cancer, inflammation, and transplant rejection. Specifically, the role of a protein overexpressed in prostate cancer, named Poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2), and its involvement in telomere/telomerase stabalization is examined.

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Sunita I. Park, MD

Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematopathology

Clinical Focus -

My primary area of clinical practice is Pediatric Hematopathology, serving primarily the Egleston and Scottish Rite campuses. In keeping with providing excellent service to our patients, we are implementing flow cytometry as well as hemoglobin separation to our test menu.

Pathology Faculty Photo

James C Ritchie, PhD

Associate Professor
Clinical Chemistry

Research Interests -

- My research laboratory is engaged in determing whether the regulation of extracellular peptidase activity plays a significant role in neuropeptide action. In another project, we are focusing on the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of antidepressants and anti-seizure medications during pregnancy. Finally I am actively pursuing investigations into the use of proteomics as a clinical diagnostic tool.

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John D Roback, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Transfusion Medicine

Related weblink - http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/medtech

Clinical Focus -

Improving the safety and efficacy of blood transfusion and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Current positions: Associate Professor (tenured) in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Associate Director of the Emory Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies, Associate Director of the Emory University Hospital Blood Bank, and Associate Director of the Stem Cell Processing Laboratory at Emory University Hospital. National leadership positions: Co-Chairman of the NIH/NHLBI Global Blood Safety and Availability Strategic Planning Committee, Chairman of the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee, and Editor of the AABB Technical Manual.

Research Interests -

Overview - The focus of my laboratory is basic and translational research investigations with an emphasis on improved Transfusion Medicine clinical practice. The primary ongoing projects that have been or are currently NIH-funded include: (i) Utilization of murine models of lethal murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) disease to develop improved, clinically applicable methods for adoptive antiviral immunotherapy and post-transplant vaccination to for bone marrow transplant recipients; (ii) Development of novel, innovative methods and devices to perform pretransfusion testing of blood components; and (iii) Development of improved PCR methods for screening blood and hematopoietic stem cell products for CMV infectivity.

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Debra Saxe, PhD

Assistant Professor
Clinical Cytogenetics

Related weblink - http://www.genetics.emory.edu/FACULTY/faculty.php

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of the Oncology Cytogenetics laboratory. My particular interest is studying the cytogenetics and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) abnormalities in hematopathology and soft tissue malignancies.

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Beth H Shaz, MD

Assistant Professor
Transfusion Medicine

Clinical Focus -

I am the Blood Bank Medical Director at Grady Memorial Hospital. The unique clinical areas of this transfusion medicine service are supporting red cell transfusions to sickle cell patients and providing blood products to trauma victims.

Research Interests -

Transfusion Medicine - My focus is on clinical research with the goal of improving patient care. Areas of interest include antibody formation after red cell transfusion and massive transfusion protocols.

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Yun F (Wayne) Wang, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Microbiology

Clinical Focus -

I am in charge of the Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at Grady Memorial Hospital, the largest public hospital in the Southeast. I am responsible for rapid and cost effective laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly in HIV, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted disease.

Research Interests -

Diagnostic and molecular microbiology - I am interested in and actively involved in rapid laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases including tuberculosis, sexually transmitted disease, and HIV, by using molecular and immunologic methods. I am interested in antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance surveillance study. I am the editorial board member for the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, and the Emory Medical Care Foundation (EMCF) Research Committee member.

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Brian A Webber, MD

Assistant Professor
Clinical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

My clinical roles are generally as a clinical pathologist at the Atlanta VAMC as an assistant director of all clinical laboratories, including flow cytometry, blood bank, hematology, microbiology, chemistry, and immunology. The bulk of my signout assignments involve the fields of hematopathology, flow cytometry, and protein electrophoresis.

Research Interests -

- I am interested in investigating flow cytometry as a means of assessing global platelet activation status. In addition, I also plan to investigate the utility of novel assays potentially applying flow cytometric techniques to the field of coagulation.

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Ifor R Williams, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Immunology
Epithelial Pathobiology
Clinical Immunology

Related weblink - http://www.biomed.emory.edu/PROGRAM_SITES/IMP/williams_i.html

Clinical Focus -

The Clinical Immunology Laboratory at Emory University Hospital performs a variety of immunology tests including protein electrophoresis and immunofixation, immunoglobulin and serum protein quantitation by nephelometry, cryoglobulin testing, miscellaneous protein testing, autoantibody detection, infectious disease serology testing, and measurement of a variety of analytes on automated immunoassay platforms. The laboratory also plays a major role in serological testing of samples from tissue and organ donors. A medical technician from the laboratory is on call at all times to perform stat infectious disease serology testing on samples from organ donors prior to transplantation. The immunology laboratory also supports specific types of surgery that require intraoperative immunoassays down with a short turn around time (most commonly this is testing for parathyroid hormone or PTH in patients with hyperparathyroidism).

In addition to my administrative role in the laboratory, I also do the physician interpretations of protein electrophoresis and immunofixation testing. Interpretation of protein electrophoresis and immunofixation tests as well as some autoantibody testing (primarily anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody or ANCA testing) is done with the assistance of CP residents who rotate for one month on the clinical immunology service. Drs. Charlie Hill and Alexis Carter also take turns signing out these cases that need physician interpretations. Serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation are performed to detect the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin spec Read more...

Research Interests -

Mucosal Immunology; Chemokine Receptors; Lymphoid Organogenesis - The major areas my laboratory studies are: (1) the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors including CCR6, CCR9, and CCR10 in mucosal immunity; and (2) the cellular interactions, cytokines, and chemokines involved in initiating the development of the lymphoid aggregates present in the small intestine including cryptopatches and isolated lymphoid follicles.

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Andrew N Young, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Cancer Biology
Clinical Pathology

Clinical Focus -

I am the Director of Clinical Laboratories at Grady Health System. Grady Memorial Hospital and its affiliated clinics make up one of the largest public health systems in the US. The laboratories play a vital role at Grady, supporting centers of excellence in infectious disease, emergency medicine, trauma, toxicology, stroke, sickle cell disease, oncology, and many other fields. In addition, the laboratories perform testing for most research studies conducted at Grady. Our department offers a broad menu of assays in all major disciplines, including clinical chemistry, toxicology, transfusion medicine, hematology, coagulation, flow cytometry, microbiology and molecular pathology. I provide diagnostic interpretation for hematopathology and hemoglobin analysis and, along with my faculty colleagues (Drs Koch, Shaz and Wang), train pathology residents from Emory University. Residents at Grady are exposed to a unique perspective on laboratory medicine, administration, and the role of clinical pathologists in a public healthcare setting.

Research Interests -

Primary Focus - Molecular classification of kidney cancer by gene expression profiling. - My research laboratory has developed systems for molecular classification of renal tumors using cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays. Based on gene expression profiles, we have identified numerous immunohistochemical markers for diagnosis and clinical management. Currently, we are developing novel Raman-active nanoparticle-based immunoassays for renal tumor classification using fixed tissue and fluids.

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