Dermatopathology Fellowship

The Mass General Brigham (MGB) Dermatopathology Fellowship is an ACGME-accredited training program that draws on the facilities of the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), with didactic input from faculty at Boston Children's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The MGB Fellowship is overseen at BWH by Dr. Alvaro Laga, Program Director, and at MGH by Dr. Rosalynn Nazarian, Site Director.

The period of fellowship is one year. Fellows enter the program eligible for Board certification in dermatology or pathology and receive training in the complementary fields of anatomic pathology or clinical dermatology, respectively. Additionally, fellows receive training in immunopathology, immunofluorescence, microbiology/mycology, tissue processing for both routine and specialized microscopy, diagnostic electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular genomics, and laboratory management. The program uniquely in provides rotational exposure to two major Harvard teaching hospitals (MGB), exposing fellows with a wide range of faculty expertise and institutional resources.

Clinical and translational research opportunities are available throughout the program, and at least one research project is required. Fellows have abundant opportunities to attend a wide variety of clinical and pathological-diagnostic conferences, and are required to teach in training programs offered to residents and medical students.

The MGB Diagnostic Services analyze daily a large number of diverse and complex specimens derived from Mass General and Brigham clinical practices as well as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Services are supported by comprehensive special diagnostic laboratories that provide a vast array of immunohistochemical and molecular probes. The Research Divisions occupy a complementary facility conducting NIH-funded investigation focused on molecular and cellular pathways responsible for cutaneous cytotoxicity, melanocyte/melanoma stem cell biology, skin cancer and transplantation immunology, epigenetics, and proteasome/ubiquitin biology. Thus there exist ample resources for participation in translational research that complements acquisition of basic diagnostic skills requisite for dermatopathology practice and/or for academic careers as clinical educators and physician/scientists.

Faculty mentors are actively involved in didactic initiatives, including authorship participation in a number of dermatopathology texts, including recent editions of Pathology of the Skin, and Lever's Histology of the Skin, and the AFIP Fascicles on Melanocytic Tumors of the Skin and Inflammatory Disorders of the Skin.

Faculty

• Alvaro Laga, MD, Program Director, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Dermatopathologist BWH: global dermatopathology, infectious disease
• Rosalynn M. Nazarian, MD, MGH Site Director, Associate Professor of Pathology: fibrosing disorders, medical dermatopathology
• Mia DeSimone, MD, PhD, Instructor in Pathology, Dermatopathologist BWH
• Lyn M. Duncan, MD, Professor of Pathology: melanoma, cutaneous lymphoma, dermatopathology education
• Ruth Foreman, MD, PhD, Instructor in Pathology: melanocytic neoplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, continuing medical education
• Christine Guo Lian, MD, Associate Professor of Pathology, Dermatopathologist BWH: skin cancer, epigenetics, immunology
• John Hanna MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology, Dermatopathologist BWH: proteasome and ubiquitin biology
• Mai P. Hoang, MD, Professor of Pathology, Chief of MGH Dermatopathology: mucosal melanoma, adnexal carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma
• George F. Murphy, MD, Professor of Pathology, Chief of BWH Dermatopathology: melanoma, allotransplantation and skin immunity, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine
• Ziba Rahbar, MD
• Eleanor Russell-Goldman, MD, PhD, Instructor in Pathology, Dermatopathologist BWH
• Brigitta Schmidt, MD, Instructor in Pathology, Pediatric Dermatopathologist BCH
• Anna Stagner, MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Dermatopathologist, Eye pathology

Supporting Faculty

• Jon Aster, MD, PhD: Hematopathology, biomarkers
• David Fisher, MD, PhD: Pediatric oncologist: melanocyte/melanoma biology
• Keith Flaherty, MD: Clinical melanoma genomics
• Harley A. Haynes, MD, Dermatologist; cutaneous oncology and clinicopathological correlation
• F. Stephen Hodi, MD: Melanoma immuno-oncology
• Richard A. Johnson, MD, Dermatologist; HIV infection and epidemiology, Lyme borreliosis
• Thomas Kupper, MD: Mycosis fungoides
• Cynthia Morton, PhD: Skin cancer cytogenetics Atul Bhan, MD: Immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics
• Dennis Orgill, MD, PhD: Wound healing and skin regeneration
• Geraldine Pinkus, MD: Hematopathology
• Arthur J. Sober, MD, Dermatologist; melanoma and dysplastic nevi
• Sook-Bin Woo, DMD: Oral pathology/medicine
• Charles Yoon, MD, PhD: Melanoma oncology and biology

Requirements

Fellowship candidates must be graduates of approved medical schools in the United States or Canada. Graduates of foreign medical schools must have an ECFMG Certificate. Applicants must have completed a residency training program in either Pathology or Dermatology and be eligible for certification in either one to enter the program. 

How To Apply

The program is full for AY 2026-2027. We are not currently accepting applications for AY 2027-2028.

Applications to the Dermatopathology Fellowship need to be submitted with the following information:

• Three letters of recommendation (one from current training program director)
• Complete application form
• CV
• USMLE transcripts
• ECFMG (if applicable)
• Personal statement letter
• Photo (optional)
• All Applicants should be Board eligible or certified in Pathology or Dermatology
• All Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license

Fellowship application form and inquiries should be submitted by email to:

Department of Pathology
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115

Phone: 617-732-4699
Fax: 617-278-6934
Email: mgbpathologyfellowships@mgb.org

More information for prospective applicants can be found on our GME website