Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Welcome to the website of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine. We invite you to explore our website and to learn more about our commitment to research, patient care, and training in pathology and laboratory medicine.

Department News

Click here to view the newest issue of Pathways

Brady Jin-Smith recently named a recipient for the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship – Apr 16, 2024

Brady Jin-Smith, an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Liya Pi's lab was recently named a recipient for the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship, one of the oldest and most prestigious government awards for research in the sciences. As the only recipient in the state of Louisiana, Brady outshined other candidates with his proven track record for scientific brilliance. He has published three times (one first author) during his two years at Tulane and was awarded the 2023 Histochemical Society Capstone Grant (1 of 5 internationally awarded recipients) for his research in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme dynamics in liver cancer. During the summer, Brady leads cyclic immunofluorescence research in colorectal cancer at the Knight Cancer Institute of Oregon Health & Science University. After graduating a year early, he plans to pursue an MD/PhD and continue his research endeavors in noninvasive tumor detection modalities.

New Pathology Residents 2024-2025 – Mar 18, 2024

Joining the Pathology department for the next academic year 2024-2025 will be:

2024 Match:

Pathology Residence 2024
Dr. Dash developing possible blood test for early detection of Liver Cancer – Feb 28, 2024

Dr. Srikanta Dash has used the NanoSight NS300 to identify and quantify biomarkers in the blood samples of liver cancer patients, in the hopes of developing strategies for earlier detection. Click here to read more.

New research funding for pathology faculty members – Jan 29, 2024

The Department congratulates Dr. Chiung-Kuei Huang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology, for being awarded a 5-year R01 grant for a total of  $2,114,669  (direct and indirect cost) from the National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. His project titled “TET1 in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development” starts on Feb 1, 2024, where his research focus will be to determine the role of DNA modification through TET1 in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Congratulations Dr. Gang Liu - October 06, 2023

The Department congratulates Dr. Gang Liu, who became an instructor in July this year, for receiving the 2023 George K. Michalopoulos Junior Faculty Scholar Award from the American Society of Investigative Pathology (ASIP). ASIP is one of the oldest societies devoted to the investigation of the mechanisms of diseases and publishes The American Journal of Pathology. The award will be presented to Dr. Liu in the 2023 ASIP meeting on Oct 23.

Welcome New Staff Members - October 06, 2023

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is pleased to welcome two new staff members who recently joined us.

Yolanda Jones worked previously in Pathology as a Billing Coordinator from 2008-2020. Ms. Jones has returned to the Department in the capacity of the Grants and Contracts Officer.

Genevieve “Evie” Burguieres holds a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University, a Masters of Preservation Studies from Tulane, and a Juris Doctorate from degree from New England Law, Boston, MA. Ms. Burguieres joins the Department as Administrative Program Coordinator—Education.

Welcome New Faculty Members - October 05, 2023

Dr. Mercedes Ficarra, who joins the Department as an Associate Professor, received her medical degree at the Facultad de Medicina of the University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain in 1988. She completed her Pathology residency and Cytopathology fellowship at Tulane. Board certified in Cytopathology, and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, she worked in various capacities as a pathologist and a director of laboratory within the HCA system before she joined us on September 15th.

Dr. Ibrahim Aburiziq joins the Department as an Assistant Professor on October 2nd. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the American University of Beirut (1993), and MBBS from Jordan University of Science and Technology (2003). He completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Baylor University Medical Center (2012), and fellowships in Hematology (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 2014) and in Surgical Pathology (Washington University School of Medicine, 2015). He has provided general pathology services and laboratory directorship in several hospitals in Guam, and Savannah, GA before he joined the Tulane.

Taylor MacGowan, M.S., P.A. (ASCP), received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa (2018), and graduated from the Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Tulane University School of Medicine (2022). Ms. MacGowan has worked as a Pathology Technician (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2020), and a Grossing Technician at Quantum Pathology in Waltham, MA (2018-2020). She joins the Pathology faculty on Oct 9th as an Instructor.

Farewell to Dr. Yoxtheimer - October 05, 2023

The Department of Pathology held a farewell reception for Dr. Lorene Yoxtheimer, Assistant Professor, on September 28, 2023. Dr. Yoxtheimer joined the Department in 2019 and is relocating to a new position in Fargo, ND. We wish her every success in her new endeavor.

Congratulations to Dr. Di Tian and the COVID Testing Team for being awarded the Tulane Spirit Award - August 31, 2023

Dr. Di Tian and the COVID Testing Team were awarded the prestigious Tulane Spirit Award by President Fits in recognition of their unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to both the cherished Tulane University and the broader local community.

Drs. Shams Halat and Matthew Stark have been named 2023 Top Doctors (Pathology) in New Orleans Magazine - August 1, 2023

Congratulations to Drs. Shams Halat and Matthew Stark for being named Top Doctors of Pathology in the New Orleans Magazine