Pathology & Laboratory Medicine About Us Message from the Chair Contact Us Education & Training Residency Program Fellowship Programs CLS Program Graduate Program Continuing Education Programming Research Experimental Tissue Resource Shared Facility Divisions Faculty Neuropathology Fellowship The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UCI School of Medicine offers a two-year ACGME-accredited Neuropathology Fellowship. Home Research Research: Clinical Departments Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Home Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs > Neuropathology Fellowship Program Overview The Neuropathology Fellowship program accepts one fellow per year. MD/DO candidates who have completed two years of ACGME-accredited anatomic pathology training are eligible and welcome to apply. Academically oriented candidates are particularly encouraged. UCI establishes PGY levels for new fellows based on the successful completion of all prerequisite training required for entry into the fellowship program. The first year of the program is primarily clinical neuropathology encompassing a gamut of surgical and autopsy neuropathology cases, including frozen sections and neuromuscular pathology. The second year is mostly dedicated to research but allows for junior attending opportunities, as well as pediatric neuropathology, forensic neuropathology and ophthalmic pathology rotations. Neuropathologists on our faculty include: Edwin Monuki, MD, PhD (developmental) Ronald Kim, MD (general, dementia, spinal cord) William Yong, MD (general, autopsy, brain tumors, frozen section, biobanking) Mari Perez-Rosendahl, MD (brain tumors, general, frozen section, neuromuscular) Matthew Rose, MD, PhD (developmental, frozen section) We enjoy highly collegial relationships with UCI neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and neurologists. Department of Neurology Assistant Professor Mari Perez-Rosendahl and Professor Tahseen Mozaffar specialize in neuromuscular pathology. An additional neurodegenerative neuropathologist is being recruited. The close cooperation with the neuromuscular medicine team and resulting excellent clinical correlation is a particular strength of the neuromuscular pathology training. In addition, UCI hosts an outstanding annual international neuromuscular colloquium. Research Basic neuroscience research opportunities include choroid plexus biology (Dr. Edwin Monuki), neurodegeneration therapeutics (Dr. Albert La Spada, director of the UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics) and Down syndrome (Dr. Elizabeth Head, director of the UCI Experimental Pathology program). Additional strengths of the program include faculty in the department who are dedicated to artificial intelligence (Dr. Jana Lipkova and Dr. Pratik Shah) and biomarker development (Dr. Abraham Qavi). Cases from the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, encompassing diseases of the globe, orbit, eyelids and conjunctival membranes, are studied under the tutelage of Assistant Professor Maria Del Valle Estopinal, the departmental ophthalmic pathologist, who is also an ophthalmologist by training. In addition to UCI cases, fellows study pediatric neuropathology cases on a rotation at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Translation research interests include neuro-oncology, Down syndrome and neuromuscular pathology. Autopsy neuropathology training is supplemented by three funded programs: UCI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center The UCI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center encourages research into the pathogenesis of different types of dementia. Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium — Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) is a signature NIA program, which is actively engaged in research into Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis in Down syndrome. BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network is an NIH effort to map molecular features of brain cells by region. Goals & Objectives Develop knowledge and skills in the techniques and interpretation of frozen section and intraoperative smears, as well as the applications of advanced technology, including image analysis, immunocytochemistry and molecular diagnostics, to neurologic problems of adults and children. Become proficient in the diagnosis and classification of nervous system neoplasms and of non-neoplastic diseases of brain, spinal cord, muscle and nerve and be able to effectively communicate these diagnoses to clinical staff. Learn the performance and interpretation of special techniques utilized in the diagnosis of these diseases, including immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics. Be able to integrate laboratory information, including morphology and basic and advanced laboratory studies and clinical information. Formulate an interpretive report that will provide in a clear, concise and complete form the information needed by clinicians to proceed in the management of the patient. Become proficient in the presentation of information at clinical conferences and have the opportunity to present at local and national meetings. Interact with and effectively teach residents, medical students, clinical colleagues and ancillary laboratory staff. Analyze the literature critically, integrate new information into clinical practice and use systems-based resources to improve diagnostic skills. Have a basic understanding of the principles of clinical investigation: to design, carry out and publish a study using patient-related information to advance knowledge or disseminate existing knowledge in the specialty. Develop an understanding of laboratory management issues appropriate to a diagnostic neuropathology service. Rotation Sites UCI Medical Center Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Orange County Sheriff Coroner's Division (OCSCD) VA Long Beach Medical Center Application Process Applications for July 2025 positions will be accepted beginning June 1, 2024. Please submit application and letters electronically (PDFs) to Ellie Hunt, fellowship coordinator, at hunte2@hs.uci.edu. To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have: Completed a four-year AP/CP residency or a two-year AP residency Board-certification or be board-eligible in AP or AP/CP A California medical license before beginning the fellowship U.S. citizenship or have fulfilled residency or visa requirements before starting the fellowship. We honor J-1 visas but not H1-B visas. Your application should include the following: UCI CAP standardized application with supplemental form Current curriculum vitae Three letters of recommendation Personal statement Dean’s letter (MSPE) Medical school diploma with English translation USMLE scores (Step 1, Step 2CK, Step 2CS and Step 3) or COMLEX scores (Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE and Level 3) ECFMG (if applicable) Previous ACGME training certificates (if applicable) Interview Process Applicants are notified by email if they are selected for personal interviews with the division faculty members. 2024-26 – Open 2025-27 – Open Interviews for July 2025 and July 2026 positions will occur between August and September 2024. Current & Past Fellows Current Fellow Year 2 —Jerry Lou, MD Jerry Lou grew up in the Los Angeles area and stayed in the area for undergraduate studies at UCLA majoring in neuroscience. His passion for neuropathology was sparked by his undergraduate publications on IDH1 mutant gliomas with Dr. Albert Lai and brain tumor banking with Dr. William Yong. He remained in Los Angeles to receive his MD from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Jerry is excited to grow as a pathologist in the nurturing environment of the UCI Neuropathology Fellowship. His research interests include neuropathology, especially neurodegenerative disorders and artificial intelligence in pathology. He is currently working with convolutional neural networks under Dr. Peter Chang, the co-director of the UCI Center for Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, golf, skiing and traveling. He plans to pursue AP/NP training. Past Fellow 2022-24: Jamie Nakagari, MD Program Leadership William Yong, MD Chief of Neuropathology Director, Neuropathology Fellowship Connect with Us For questions about our Neuropathology Fellowship program, please contact our fellowship coordinator. Contact Us