Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology Fellowship

The Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology Fellowship program allows fellows to explore all means of relevant diagnosis on behalf of every patient. They receive education about appropriate histological methods for analysis and become well acquainted with histological techniques through firsthand exposure under faculty supervision. All fellows are trained in both nerve and muscle pathology.

Fellows complete a required laboratory rotation to become familiar with methods for the assessment of microscopic sections and stains to recognize artifacts of tissue handling, including their causes and solutions. 

The fellowship program encourages trainees to participate in ongoing basic science research, building on their clinical knowledge and skills and allowing them to take research from the bench to the bedside. Through ongoing research, fellows will learn and apply research methods such as data collection, organization and specimen storage appropriate to address specific questions. They will also learn appropriate statistical methods applicable to outcomes research.

By the end of the program, each clinical neuromuscular pathology fellow will have examined and generated a written report on a minimum of 100 biopsy specimens, of which a minimum of 30 must be muscle and 30 must be nerve. In each report, the fellow will accurately describe the findings and indicate the diagnosis of each case, and faculty will countersign each report. Upon completion of the program, fellows are experts in the interpretation and application of nerve and muscle pathology, and in the management of those diseases. 

Candidates may come from adult or pediatric neurology or physical medicine and rehabilitation, but must complete a one-year Neuromuscular Medicine or Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship before the program commences. They also must be American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology board-eligible, with a California medical license, before the July 1 program start date.

How to Apply

Please submit a copy of your CV and cover letter to Tahseen Mozaffar, MD, at mozaffar@uci.edu.