The Pathology Report 2023 Duke Pathology Annual Magazine
The Pathology Report 2023 Duke Pathology Annual Magazine
3 Letter From Our Chairman 4 F EATURE
Catalysts of Change Duke Pathology’s Visionary Minds Shape Cancer Research
14 DEVELOPMENT FEATURE Philanthropy Moves the Needle on Creating Novel Therapies for Prostate Cancer 18 Meet Our New Faculty 20 Recognizing Our Long-Time Staff • Remembering Dr. Edward H. Bossen • T he Legacy of Dr. Robert Burgess Jennings: Pioneer, Leader, and Mentor • D r. Bruce Lobaugh Transitions from Lab Leader to Professor Emeritus
26 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Section • E DI Committee: Continuing our Commitment • EDI Committee Launches Book Club • S haking a Shared Delusion: Andrea Deyrup Combats Race-Based Medicine • F rom Migrant Farm Worker to Duke Scientist, Everardo Macias Tackles Prostate Cancer
32 Count and Amount
An illustrated guide to the numbers
34 Around the Department 38 Current Faculty and Administration
View this issue and previous Pathology Annual Reports online here.
Annual Magazine Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) Editor in Chief Jamie Botta Consulting Editors Michelle Cohen; David Howell, MD, PhD; Amy Orange; Shantell Kirkendoll Writers Jamie Botta, Liz Proper (Proper Writing, LLC) Photography Steven Conlon PhotoPath Archives Art Direction Pam Chastain Design
For questions, comments, or to submit ideas for upcoming features or add your name to our newsletter mailing list, please contact us by any means below. Thank you for your interest! Department of Pathology Attn: Communications Strategist 40 Duke Medicine Circle DUMC 3712 Durham, NC, 27710 Email: pathnews@duke.edu Phone: 919-684-3984 Copyright 2024 © Duke Department of Pathology
VISIT our extensive website at
pathology.duke.edu
We would like to recognize and thank all of our alumni, faculty, staff and trainees for your strong support and important contributions to our department. It gives me great pleasure to share with you our 2023 Annual Report, which contains interesting stories about our people, and highlights some of our department’s many advances and accomplishments. For example, there’s a featured story about how an anonymous donor’s generous gift will help to accelerate our prostate cancer research programs. Gifts like this provide our teams the flexibility to pursue high-reward research projects that traditional funding agencies looking for safe investments would not normally fund. It is often these innovative and ambitious projects that result in novel, transformative therapies for our patients. We look forward to celebrating Duke University’s Centennial, starting with a kick-off celebration on January 9th, 2024, and culminating with the graduating class in May 2025. Our department will actively participate in the festivities with new initiatives and programs. We’re excited to involve all of you in celebrating our achievements over the past 100 years and appreciate your support in shaping our direction for the next century. Stay tuned for more on these celebrations, and I wish all of you a wonderful new year. Warm Regards,
Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD Chairman, Department of Pathology Duke University School of Medicine
LETTER FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
Dear Friends:
FEATURE 4
CATALYSTS OF CHANGE Duke’s Pathologists Are Visionaries of Prostate Cancer Research
by LIZ PROPER
IN OUR 2019 ANNUAL REPORT, WE FEATURED THE EXPANSION OF OUR DEPARTMENT’S PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH GROUP, AND WE DETAILED HOW WORKING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY KINDLES CREATIVE CONNECTIONS FOR OUR TEAM. This feature highlights seven of our distinguished investigators, offering a glimpse into their exceptional achievements and the significant impact they’ve made in advancing the science surrounding prostate cancer. Join us in this relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Our collective efforts will propel us forward in advancing science and medicine to benefit many patients who suffer from prostate cancer.
JIAOTI HUANG, MD, PHD
Johnston-West Endowed Department Chair of Pathology Professor of Pathology, Pharmacology, and Cancer Biology
Outsmarting Prostate Cancer’s Evasive Cells
He has collaborated with Duke Cancer Institute’s (DCI) Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers to address these challenges. The prostate cancer experts at the Center are members of Duke’s nationally-ranked urology and medical oncology programs, who specialize in difficult-to-treat cancers. His pioneering work has identified a subset of prostate cancer cells, called neuroendocrine cells, or NE cells, as a crucial component of prostate cancer. NE cells do not express the androgen receptor, a common target for treatment, and are resistant to hormonal therapy. Huang’s team discovered that the NE cells express a receptor called CXCR2, which is critical for NE cell function. This work has led to a clinical trial at Duke to test the efficacy of a CXCR2 inhibitor in treating advanced prostate cancer, supported by a multi-million dollar grant from the NIH.
Huang is also a dedicated educator, having trained numerous residents, fellows, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to make significant discoveries in the field of pathology and prostate cancer research, continuing his legacy of impactful mentorship. Looking ahead, he hopes to attract broad funding from the federal government, private foundations, and industry partners to support his ambitious goal of moving many of his discoveries to the clinic quickly to help many patients who have exhausted treatment options. In fact, at the end of 2023 the Huang Lab received a $1 million-dollar anonymous donation of unrestricted funds to support his creative research initiatives (see feature in this issue titled “Philanthropy Moves the Needle on Creating Novel Therapies for Prostate Cancer”). This donation “will allow us to do the most innovative work that is high risk and high reward,” Huang explained. “We’re very excited about our direction and feel fortunate about the support by the department’s infrastructure and other resources established by department faculty, trainees, and staff that are essential to our success,” he said.
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ince joining Duke in 2016, Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, has been a pivotal leader, mentor, and scientist. As an internationally renowned surgical pathologist and prostate cancer researcher for over 20 years, Huang is a leading authority in studying molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and novel therapeutics for prostate cancer.
FEATURE
Highlighted Awards and Honors — Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
• Harold Cummins endowed lecture, Department of Structural & Cellular
Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, October 2022
• The inaugural Endowed Dr. Anthony and Helen Torre Lecture, East Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, March, 2023
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant titled “Glutaminase I Isoforms as Personalized Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer”
• NIH grant titled “The Role of Focal Adhesion Kinase in Therapy Resistant Prostate Tumors”
• NIH grant titled “Developing A Novel Combinatorial Therapy for Lethal Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer”
• Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award titled “Targeting
Neuroendocrine Cells in Prostate Cancer with Small Molecule and Targeted Radionuclide Therapies”
• Huang is frequently invited to give lectures to share his expertise regarding
prostate cancer research at prestigious organizations such as MD Anderson Cancer Center (the highest-ranked cancer center in the country); University of California, San Diego; Weill Cornell College of Medicine; and at events like the 29th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat and 6th Broadmoor GU Summit.
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“We’re very excited about our direction and feel fortunate about the support by the department’s infrastructure and other resources established by department faculty, trainees, and staff.” Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate Shuai Zhao, PhD
LING CAI, PHD
Assistant Professor Ling Cai, PhD (front), with Postdoctoral Associates Shuai Zhao, PhD (left), and Chenxi Xu, PhD (right)
In Pursuit of Personalized Treatment Strategies
Because most prostate cancers rely on hormones to reproduce and grow, first-line treatment called androgen suppression therapy, or ADT, often aims to reduce hormones. While ADT is often effective, it doesn’t work for everyone. Some cancers become resistant, leading to the condition castration-resistant prostate cancer, or CRPC for short. As Cai and her team study CRPC for more effective treatments, they’re exploring how mechanisms of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators connect. To support their work, in 2021 Cai secured a five-year R01 grant titled “The Role of YY1 in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.”
Through her team’s research, they have identified a unique function of the ARV7 transcription factor that is crucial for resistance mechanisms in advanced prostate cancer. They’re also identifying epigenetic regulators, which can be ‘drugged’ by small molecule inhibitors and tested in pre-clinical prostate cancer models. Cai’s research team has numerous publications that not only contribute to the current understanding of advanced prostate cancer, but also set a promising trajectory for future breakthroughs in personalized and effective treatment strategies. Cai is enthusiastic about advancing her research at Duke, expressing, “The department provides all kinds of support, and most exciting is having a very strong research program for prostate cancer.”
Publications — Ling Cai, PhD
• Publication of her lab’s research titled “Cistrome Analysis of YY1 Uncovers a
Regulatory Axis of YY1:BRD2/4-PFKP During Tumorigenesis of Advanced Prostate Cancer” in Nucleic Acids Research
• Publication of her lab’s research titled “A Cryptic Transactivation Domain of EZH2 Binds AR and AR’s Splice Variant, Promoting Oncogene Activation and Tumorous Transformation” in Nucleic Acids Research
• Publication of a Book Chapter titled “Epigenetic (De)regulation in Prostate Cancer” in the book “Epigenetics in Oncology”; Springer Publishing (in press).
• Publication of a review titled “Through the Lens of Phase Separation: Intrinsically Unstructured Protein and Chromatin Looping” in Nucleus
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ne of the newest members of Duke Pathology’s team, Ling Cai, PhD, is focused on developing innovative therapeutic approaches for advanced prostate cancer.
FEATURE
MING CHEN, PHD
Mu-En Wang, PhD (left), and Wei-Ling Tu, PhD (right), postdoctoral fellows working to understand mechanisms of ferroptosis resistance. Their goal is to identify vulnerabilities that can be harnessed to delay or prevent the emergence of resistance to ferroptosis.
A Simple Approach to Complex Discoveries in Metastasis
M
ing Chen, PhD, is leading groundbreaking research to reshape our understanding of cancer biology.
He joined the department in 2018, and one of his primary areas of focus includes unraveling the mechanisms of metastasis, or how cancer spreads from one organ or tissue to another. Metastasis contributes to over 90% of cancer-related deaths, and Chen has developed several innovative mouse models to study both genetic and cellular drivers behind metastatic prostate cancer.
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“My goal is to continue to employ global and integrative analysis approaches to unveil the pivotal events driving metastatic prostate cancer. I aim to spearhead the development of life-saving cancer treatments, ultimately enhancing the well-being of patients and their families who currently bear the burden of this lethal disease,” Chen affirmed.
Through these animal models, Chen and his colleagues discovered that the RB1 gene deficiency in aggressive prostate cancer makes it susceptible to ferroptosis, a Ming Chen, PhD type of iron-dependent cell Associate Professor death. Chen’s team used a ferroptosis-inducing drug called JKE-1647 and found it to reduce cancer growth and improve survival in mice, suggesting a promising targeted therapy for advanced prostate cancer. “I’m grateful and feel privileged to be part of an exceptional department that offers crucial administration, valuable resources, and impactful mentorship, which contribute significantly to both my professional endeavors and the growth of our trainees,” Chen reflected.
Notable Honors and Accomplishments — Ming Chen, PhD
• Multiple NIH RO1 grants • Borden Scholars Award • Mark Slive Foundation grant • Idea Development Award from the DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program • Publication of his lab’s research titled “RB1-deficient prostate tumor growth and
metastasis are vulnerable to ferroptosis induction via the E2F/ACSL4 axis” in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
• Mu-En Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Chen’s lab, received a Department of Defense (DoD) Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Early Investigator Research Award.
HUI-KUAN LIN, MD, PHD
Hui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD Professor and Director, Prostate Cancer Research
Left to right: Hsin En Wu (visiting PhD Graduate student); Rajni Kant, PhD (research associate, senior); Ling Bai (postdoctoral fellow). Below: Kant (left) with Postdoctoral Fellow Vasudevarao Penugurti, PhD.
Unraveling the Mysteries of an Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer
Lin is at the forefront of prostate cancer research, focusing on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). His work involves dissecting metabolic pathways that drive lineage plasticity, a crucial part of CRPC’s adaptability. Additionally, Lin is dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms behind immunotherapy resistance in CRPC. In his pursuit of innovative treatments, Lin is developing novel agents such as specific gene inhibitors and tumor degrading technology to specifically target and overcome challenges posed by CRPC. Lin’s groundbreaking contributions to prostate cancer
research have garnered widespread recognition, as reflected in a myriad of prestigious awards and nominations. In addition to the accolades below, Lin has published more than 120 peer-reviewed articles that detail his and his colleagues’ findings, as well as actively contributing to the academic community by serving on grant review panels, editorial boards, and as a reviewer to several high-impact journals like Nature, Science, and Cancer Cell. Further, Lin collaborates closely with other researchers, fostering partnerships within Duke University and the University of Texas San Antonio. “The faculty members at the Department of Pathology have major strengths and expertise in prostate cancer research,” notes Lin. His excitement resonates as he anticipates significant discoveries on the horizon within the department.
Honors — Hui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD
• Research Trust Scholar Award and Faculty Scholar Award from MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Young Investigator Award from the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America
• New Investigator Award from the Department of Defense • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
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H
ui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD, joined Duke Pathology in 2023, assuming the role of professor and director of Prostate Cancer Research.
FEATURE
EVERADO MACIAS, PHD
Everado Macias, PhD Assistant Professor
Loren Weidenhammer, firstyear Pathology PhD Program rotation student.
Searching for Druggable Targets
I
n his inaugural independent role, Everado Macias, PhD, has demonstrated his invaluable contributions to Duke Pathology by spearheading compelling research initiatives, solidifying his position as a leader in the field.
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The Macias Lab’s primary objective is to find druggable targets to reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer by acquiring fundamental mechanistic insights into molecular targets that hold clinical significance. His number-one targets are understudied druggable proteins such as NUAK2 and RIOK2, which have successfully slowed down the spread of the cancer cells. To achieve this, Macias’ group operates at the intersection of human cancer genetics, gene involvement in cellular function, and comprehensive mouse models both in vitro and in vivo. Through functional genomic screens, he’s identified lesser-known protein kinases that are critical to prostate cancer tumor growth. Recently, Macias began exploring how obesity impacts prostate cancer proliferation and mortality. His lab conducted an shRNA in vivo screen, a type of genetic search tool. They used this method in obese
mice to pinpoint a specific gene, NUAK2, which plays a critical role in the progression of prostate cancer in the context of obesity. This study opens avenues for further research and potential interventions to mitigate the impact of obesity on prostate cancer, offering hope for improved treatments and outcomes in the future. Surrounded by a multitude of impactful scientific breakthroughs, Macias identifies his most significant achievement since joining the department as mentoring his first graduate student, Amelia Schirmer, PhD, and watching her graduate. Additionally, Macias has mentored two undergraduate Duke University students who graduated with firstauthor publications. The students, Peter Nam and Megan Zhao, are now applying to medical school. “It’s important to be involved as much as I can with undergrads and grad students, and helping underrepresented students,” Macias explained. Macias has big goals for his continued research at Duke, including securing NIH R01 funding and actively participating in phase 1 clinical trials to advance cutting-edge discoveries in cancer research.
Prominent Grants and Honors — Everardo Macias, PhD
• Department of Defense (DoD) grant for over $1 million, titled “Targeting NUAK2 in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer”
• DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program Idea Development Award for
research titled “Targeting NUAK2 to Mitigate Obesity-Enhanced Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis”
JUNG WOOK PARK, PHD
Endowed Rollie Assistant Professorship of Correlative Pathology, Assistant Professor, and Assistant Research Professor of Cell Biology Jung Wook Park, PhD, and Ara Jo, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Park Lab, (left) discuss ex vivo 3D imaging of organoids (red).
Shining a Light on Cell Transformation with 3D Technology
J
ung Wook Park, PhD, is at the forefront of innovative research in prostate cancer. Motivated by childhood curiosity and a familial encounter with pancreatic cancer, Park’s journey led him to explore the intricacies of cancer biology, with a focus on understanding and manipulating DNA to stop cancer progression.
“It’s important to be involved as much as I can with undergrads and grad students, and helping underrepresented students.” Everado Macias, PhD
As a principal investigator in his lab at Duke, Park employs a unique approach, studying both cancer cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. His innovative ex vivo 3D organoid culture system allows for a controlled environment to observe the transformation of healthy cells into cancer cells. Emphasizing the unique advantages of his position, Park shared, “Being part of the Duke Pathology Department is great because I can get samples of both diseased and healthy tissue from the doctors who are mainly focused on a patient’s
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Research Analyst Kaitlyn Peterson
From studying human papillomavirus (HPV) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to working with human tissue samples at the University of California-Los Angeles, Park found a natural fit at Duke, where he was named as the first recipient of Duke’s Rollie Endowed Assistant Professorship, which was generously funded by long-time, esteemed faculty couple Sara Miller, PhD, and David Howell, MD, PhD. His work benefits from diverse patient populations and thrives on collaborative opportunities within the Duke community.
FEATURE
disease.” This method sheds light on the complexities of prostate cancer development and treatment resistance. Park envisions his research as a crucial part of the larger cancerfighting effort, aiming to detect cancer at its earliest stage for more effective interventions. His ultimate goals are connected to early detection in order to prevent one type of cancer from transforming into another, and to provide hope for patients battling cancer.
Awards and Honors — Jung Wook Park, PhD
• Department of Defense (DOD) Cancer Idea Development Grant for his research titled, “Defining Cellular and Genetic Factors for Renal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes”
• DOD grant titled, “Transcriptional Reprogramming of Lethal Small Cell Prostate Cancer”
• Prostate Cancer Foundation grant titled, “Interrupting the Aberrant Cancer Development Sequence in Epithelial Cancer Progression”
• National Institutes of Health grant titled, “Defining the Essential Determinants of Prostate Cancer Differentiation States”
• Mike Slive Foundation grant titled, “Unveiling the Roles of Neuroendocrine Cells in Prostate Cancer Development”
“These efforts are leading to many exciting results that will inform the development of more effective options for prostate cancer.”
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Qianben Wang, PhD
David Lee, Park Lab technician, isolates DNA and RNA from organoids
Right: Kexin Li, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Wang Lab, is investigating the role of Alternative Polyadenylation (APA) as a critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism driving prostate cancer towards its lethal stages.
QIANBEN WANG, PHD
Professor of Pathology Qianben Wang, PhD, in his lab
Getting Creative with Gene Therapy to Improve Outcomes
Wang and his team are researching a gene therapy approach that targets pioneer transcription factors, which are special proteins that have the ability to unlock tightly packed DNA. They’re doing this with the precision of CRISPR technology, which is similar
to microscopic molecular scissors. By specifically keying in on these transcription factors, it may be possible to disrupt the underlying processes that contribute to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progression. This innovative strategy holds promise for improving survival outcomes for those facing CRPC. Contributing to his success, Wang has secured grants with significant funding. He also credits his team’s multifaceted approach, saying “These efforts are leading to many exciting results that will inform the development of more effective options for prostate cancer.”
Awards and Honors — Qianben Wang, PhD
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant titled “Targeting MED31-driven transcription recycling in lethal prostate cancer”
• NIH grant titled “Systems Analysis of the Prostate Cancer Epigenome”
• Department of Defense (DoD) grant titled “Targeting
Oncogenomic Function of N-Myc to Inhibit Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer Visceral Metastasis”
• Elected Director at Large of Society for Basic Urological Research
• DoD grant titled “Targeting Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer by Engineering 3’ Untranslated Regions”
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ince joining Duke’s prostate cancer research team in 2017, Qianben Wang, PhD, has become a pivotal figure in the fight against prostate cancer. Initially focusing on regulatory mechanisms, Wang’s journey has evolved into translational research, with a primary focus on developing cutting-edge gene therapies for prostate cancer.
DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
PHILANTHROPY
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MOVES THE NEEDLE Creating Novel Therapies for Prostate Cancer
A
generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, hopes to move the needle on prostate cancer research at Duke. Their $1 million gift in the form of unrestricted funds for prostate cancer research will support the work of Jiaoti Huang, MD,
PhD, Johnston-West Endowed Department Chair of Pathology, to conduct prostate cancer research in partnership with the Duke Cancer Institute’s (DCI) Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. The prostate cancer experts at the Center are members of Duke’s nationally-ranked urology and medical oncology programs, and as a top referral center, they specialize in difficult-to-treat cancers. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, with more than 192,000 cases diagnosed each year, which translates to one in seven men being diagnosed during their lifetimes. Major challenges exist within the areas of screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The collaborative powerhouse of Duke Pathology, joined together with the Center, addresses these challenges on a daily basis.
of the Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, are long-time collaborators with the Huang Lab. To translate their discovery from lab to the bedside, the group has been working with a biotech company to start a clinical trial at Duke, sponsored by a multimillion dollar grant from the NIH.
Huang is an internationally renowned prostate cancer pathologist and researcher who has spent over two decades studying strategies for targeting neuroendocrine cells to improve prostate cancer treatment. Huang’s research has been funded at a high level by the federal government and private foundations. This significant philanthropic donation will provide the Huang Lab the resources to pursue high-risk, high-reward projects that have the biggest impact on prostate cancer care.
The Research A subset of prostate cancer cells, known as neuroendocrine cells, is resistant to hormonal therapy. The Huang Lab has identified a novel target called CXCR2 on these cells, which could lead to better targeting of cancer to prevent and treat metastatic spread while minimizing side effects, which piqued the donor’s interest. The work was done in collaboration with Andrew Armstrong, MD, director of Research for the DCI Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. Armstrong, along with Daniel George, MD, director
Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
by JAMIE BOTTA
George is excited by the interactions between Industry and academic researchers. “Smaller pharmaceutical companies are resource-constrained, and frequently rely on collaborations with academic researchers in order to accelerate the development of their Daniel George, MD agent into unforeseen and potentially groundbreaking indications. The CXCR2 story in prostate cancer is a great example of such a win-win relationship between industry and academics,” said George.
Huang, left, in his lab
“This philanthropy bridges a funding gap to help us go into unchartered territory. It’s normally not within the scope of a research lab to do this type of work due to resource constraints, but philanthropic support makes it possible.” Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
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“Prostate cancer can develop resistance to hormonal therapies and evade the immune system through upregulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR2, and this resistance pathway can be targeted through precision therapies,” said Armstrong. “We’re seeking to prevent hormone Andrew Armstrong, MD therapy resistance and immune evasion simultaneously by combining hormonal therapy with CXCR2 blockade in this new multicenter clinical trial. The Huang Lab continues to identify new targets that promote aggressive prostate cancer, and which are suitable for new therapies that we’re bringing to our patients.”
PHILANTHROPY
DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
MOVES THE NEEDLE
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“This philanthropy bridges a funding gap to help us to go into unchartered territory,” said Huang. “We’re developing novel therapeutics against a new target we’ve discovered. It’s normally not within the scope of a research lab to do this type of work due to resource constraints, but philanthropic support makes it possible.”
A Long-Term Relationship This gift stems from a personal relationship the donor established with Huang, who met the family when he was doing clinical research at the University of California Los Angeles. “They started learning what I was doing in the research lab, and I shared with them how we had discovered fundamental mechanisms for prostate cancer and how we’ve been trying to develop novel therapies with little to no side effects,” recalled Huang. “We have a personal family story about our interest in Dr. Huang’s prostate cancer research,” shared the donor. “My husband’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was in his early 80s. We were heartbroken when he felt how much time he had left with us was totally in God’s hands. We wanted him to have hope, and Dr. Huang’s research gave us exactly what we were so desperately looking for. Through my father-in-law’s story, we learned there were so many more old-aged people like him suffering the same physical and psychological torment.” In 2016, Huang moved from Los Angeles, California, to Durham, North Carolina, and kept in touch to follow the Huang Lab’s research. “We, along with our other friends, were impressed that Duke had such a charm that Dr. Huang and his family were willing to leave LA, where the weather cannot be better,” said the donor. “He is now the leading prostate cancer researcher at Duke. Through learning about his career story and supporting his research at Duke, we are convinced about Duke’s dedication and leading role in cancer research and feel proud of being connected with Duke through this way.” The donor appreciates Huang’s long-term commitment to finding treatment, and his dedication to patients; in classrooms teaching residents, fellows, PhD candidates and post-doctoral students; and as a department leader.
“We have a personal family story about our interest in Dr. Huang’s prostate cancer research. My husband’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was in his early 80s. We wanted him to have hope, and Dr. Huang’s research gave us exactly what we were so desperately looking for. We learned there were so many more old-aged people like him suffering the same physical and psychological torment.” Anonymous Donor
“We certainly hope Dr. Huang’s lab can have tangible medical outcomes as soon as possible,” said the donor. “We dreamed that my husband’s father could have the option of using medical treatments that might be outcomes of his research, although we understand that any research must go through a lengthy and complicated process before it can be applied to reality.” “The one thing I love very much is my ability to do research,” said Huang. “I can help advance the field and the results will benefit patients. Duke has a great infrastructure and a collaborative culture to perform cutting-edge research. I benefit from interacting with the many smart and caring people who work here. We have different clinical experiences and educational and research backgrounds. When we interact, novel ideas are born. For me that is very stimulating. It is very gratifying to see the needle move in a positive direction as a result.”
Huang, center, with lab members
If you’d like to contact the Department of Pathology or the Duke Cancer Institute regarding fundraising and giving opportunities, please contact Emily James (emily.h.james@duke.edu; 812-499-1099) or Michelle Cohen (michelle.cohen@duke.edu; 919-385-3124).
“Supporting Dr. Huang’s research is so meaningful not only to my family but also to a large portion of the population. We are certain that we put our resource to where it is most needed, and are so glad that we can contribute to the advancement of the most advanced medical research, no matter how small our effort is. This is our first-time philanthropic effort. We are still learning from it.” Anonymous Donor
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“Supporting Dr. Huang’s research is so meaningful not only to my family but also to a large portion of the population,” said the donor. “We are certain that we put our resource to where it is most needed, and are so glad that we can contribute to the advancement of the most advanced medical research, no matter how small our effort is. This is our first-time philanthropic effort. We are still learning from it.”
NEW FACULTY* 18
Ling Cai, PhD
Luis F. Carrillo, MD
Hui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Before her appointment at Duke Ling Cai, PhD was an assistant professor in the Department of Genetics at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is focused on developing innovative therapeutic approaches for advanced prostate cancer by deciphering underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Cai and her team are interested specifically in studying the roles of various transcription factors and chromatin regulators during prostate cancer tumorigenesis, metastasis and drug resistance using integrated biochemical, genomic and cancer biology approaches.
Luis F. Carrillo, MD, is a boardcertified pathologist with a subspecialty in hematopathology. His academic interests include flow cytometry, myeloid neoplasms, lymphoma diagnosis, cutaneous lymphomas, and Epstein-Barr virus. In addition to his clinical duties, he has a strong interest in medical education, which includes teaching medical students, residents, and fellows.
Professor, Director of Prostate Cancer Research
She received her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and conducted postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill).
He earned his medical degree from the Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria in Arequipa, Peru. He completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) and fellowship in hematopathology, both at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and affiliated hospitals in Milwaukee, WI. In 2019, he joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where he served as director of the Hematology Laboratory, associate director of the Flow Cytometry Laboratory and director of the M3 Pathology Selective Clerkship.
Hui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD comes to us from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he served as director of the Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence; co-leader of the Signaling and Biotechnology Program; and Anderson Discovery Professor for Cancer Research at the Department of Cancer Biology. Prior to that, he was a tenure-track faculty member and Research Trust Scholar and R. Lee Clark Fellow at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). His laboratory research is focused on the posttranslational modifications and cancer metabolism in signaling and cancer/immune regulation. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, many of which appear in high impact/profile journals. His lab’s work has revealed fundamental insights for cancer biology and cancer immunity, and offered novel therapeutic strategies for targeting human cancer and overcoming drug resistance. Lin received a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in 1993 and master’s degree in Pharmacology in 1997 from National Taiwan University. He attained his PhD degree in the area of cancer biology in 2002 from the University of Rochester in New York. He completed postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York from 2002 to 2007 in the area of the cancer biology and genetics.
Sarah Rapisardo, PhD Assistant Professor Associate Director, Molecular Pathology, Genetics and Genomics division The Molecular Pathology, Genetics and Genomics division welcomed the return of Sarah Rapisardo, PhD, in November 2022 as an associate director. After completing her PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology at Duke in the laboratory of Sally Kornbluth, PhD, in 2010, Rapisardo completed fellowship training in Clinical Cytogenetics and Clinical Molecular Genetics, and initially joined Duke faculty as an assistant professor of Pathology in 2012.
“Our department continues to grow with the expertise and impressive track record of our new faculty members. We’re grateful to have them join our team.” Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
In 2020, she left Duke to pursue an exciting opportunity as the director of Laboratory Operations at Scipher Medicine, where she led the laboratory through its initial CLIA, CAP, and New York inspections. As director of Test Development, she will be fully engaged in case review across all disciplines in the division: hematologic malignancy, solid tumor, and medical genetics.
DUKE PATHOLOGY 2023 ANNUAL MAGAZINE
She and fellow faculty member Jadee Neff, MD, PhD, were awarded a 2023 College of American Pathologists (CAP) Foundation Genomic Testing Process Improvement Award for their project titled “Improving Precision Oncology by Maximizing Utilization and Efficiencies Across the Entire Testing Process.” The award, sponsored by LOXO@Lilly, provided up to $25,000 to fund process improvement projects that explore different approaches to genomic testing.
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*Includes faculty who joined in fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023)
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION
REMEMBERING EDWARD H. BOSSEN, MD
Master of Electron Microscopy and Muscle Pathology Expert by JAMIE BOTTA that you could make a career of something as interesting as diagnostic pathology. I decided Pathology was the career for me, and Duke was the best place for my training.”
Edward H. Bossen, MD, in 1963 and 2013
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n June 24th, 2023, Professor Emeritus of Pathology Edward Hecht Bossen, MD, passed away at the age of 83. He had a 47-year career at Duke, 40 of which he dedicated as a faculty member in the Department of Pathology. Bossen was an esteemed colleague, teacher, mentor, and friend to many.
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During the early years of his career, there were no multi-headed microscopes and signing out a case took a whopping seven to ten days to complete. Bossen became a master of electron microscopy and a muscle pathology expert, writing a course book titled “Diseases of Skeletal Muscle.” He also paved the way for one of the first muscle biopsy diagnostic services in the nation. He went on to develop it into a nationally recognized consultative service, leading it for 40 years until his retirement in 2012, when he was named professor emeritus. During his tenure, he served in many administrative roles, including director of Surgical Pathology, director of Anatomic Pathology, associate director of Cytopathology, and as director of the Residency Training Program. Bossen was widely recognized as an expert general surgical pathologist, and served as a consultant on difficult cases to many of his colleagues over the years.
“Dr. Bossen was a beloved faculty member of our department, an outstanding pathologist and educator and a wonderful person,” said Pathology Department Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD. We have just lost a very dear friend, but his legacy will always live among us.” In 1961, Bossen moved from Florida to North Carolina to attend Duke University Medical School. After he graduated, he completed an internship, residency, and fellowship at Duke between 1965 and 1970, while also serving in the US Army Reserve. From 1970-1972, he was assigned to the prestigious Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. In 1972, he completed his service and returned to join the Duke faculty, working his way to professor of Pathology in 1980. “I had never heard of Pathology until my second year in medical school when I took my Pathology course,” Bossen wrote. “It was a surprise to me
Ultrastructural images created by Dr. Bossen of beautiful things that caught his eye in skeletal muscle: a motor nerve end plate with associated mitochondria (left), and a collection of subsarcolemmal spirals of uncertain significance (right).
“I am happy to say that I picked the right career and institution for me,” wrote Bossen. “As a pathologist you are not bound to a single area of medicine. Every day there are surprises to be seen under the microscope that may spark a research interest or just make you want to explore the disease process you have observed. Every day is a learning experience. If you are a compulsive observer and learner, Pathology is the field for you.” The Department established the Edward H. Bossen Team Player Award in 2016 to honor the resident or fellow who has distinguished themselves in their commitment, values, work ethic, and contribution to team morale. Recipients are chosen by votes from faculty and peers. Our 2023 winners were Derald Charles, MD, and Meg Lee, MD. “Ed Bossen was one of the finest teachers of pathology that I ever encountered,” said former
Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Roxana Bossen; his daughters, Deborah Bossen Lorber, Barbara Bossen, and Rebecca Bossen McHugh; his grandchildren, Hannah Lorber, Malcolm Lorber, Joshua Deena, Priya Deena, Isaac McHugh; his step-grandchildren, Jacob Asher, Jonas Asher, Lily Asher, and Rina Asher; his sister, Judith Branting; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Read his obituary.
Read “Surprises Every Day,” an article Bossen wrote for the Pathology Annual Report in 2019.
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He was also renowned as a teacher, who positively impacted the lives and careers of many generations of resident and fellow trainees. He continued to serve as a mentor after his retirement and to pursue his research activities, never giving up on his effort to advance the field and help his colleagues.
Pathology Department Chair Salvatore Pizzo, MD, PhD. “But more than that, he was one of the finest human beings that I have ever known. I am immensely sad to hear of his passing.”
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION
A little-known aspect of his career is that he was a foundational person in pathology informatics. In the mid-1970s, a group of Duke researchers developed the Duke Hospital Information System (DHIS), one of the first hospital information systems created and still in use in many medical centers. Bossen was instrumental in connecting the Pathology Department to this system and teaching faculty how to use it.
Left to right: Edward Bossen, MD, Susan Reeves, former Photopath supervisor, and David Howell, MD, PhD, at the installation of an historic Zeiss photomicroscope in the Duke Medical Library History of Medicine Collection in 2008. PhotoPath used this microscope for decades to make photomicrographs for publications, including those of Bossen.
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION 22
COLLEAGUES REMEMBER EDWARD H. BOSSEN, MD “Every time I feel like I am frustrated by a difficult case, I hear Dr. Bossen’s voice in my head telling me to just put the case down and look at it tomorrow with fresh eyes,” said Rex Bentley, MD. “It is amazing how a hard case can become easy if you follow that advice.” “Ed Bossen was central to our department as diagnostician, leader, teacher, mentor, and wise counselor,” said Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD. “He was central to my working life as practice partner, advisor, role model, and friend. I will miss him always.” “Ed Bossen was a quiet, unassuming man, but his unwavering enthusiasm for his work and life spoke volumes,” said David Howell, MD, PhD. “As a resident, I once brought him a big stack of biopsies for review, eliciting the response, ‘If something like that lands on your desk in the morning and your first reaction is euphoria at the prospect of challenge and discovery, you’ve chosen the right profession.’” “Ed absolutely worshiped his family — his children, his grandchildren, and particularly his wife Roxana,” said William Webb Johnston, MD’59, who started the Division of Cytology within the Department of Pathology and served as the Chief of Cytopathology for 25 years until his retirement. “They were a wonderful family, and Ed adored them. Through the final years of Ed’s life, we established some correspondence from time to time, and talked to each other during the COVID epidemic. Ed finally decided that what he wanted to do in retirement was return to a study of Shakespeare. Isn’t that just like Ed?” “Ed Bossen was my greatest teacher of pathology, but he taught me even more about kindness, patience, and the pleasure of having colleagues who take joy in their work,” said John Madden, MD, PhD. “I will miss our walks together, his wonderful sense of humor and laugh with a twinkle in his eye, his extraordinary humanity,” said Susan Reeves, former Photopath director. “With his vast knowledge, it was fascinating to hear his perspective on most any topic. Always positive, giving, teaching, it was truly a privilege to spend time with Dr. Bossen.”
Bossen with his wife, Roxana Bossen at the Pathology Department Holiday party in 2016
“I worked with Dr. Bossen for many years, performing his muscle immunohistochemistry procedures, and we did several muscle workshops together,” recalled Wayne Terrell, histotechnologist and winner of the inaugural Donald Love Service Award in 1995. “I called him ‘Dr. B,’ and we also had a nickname for him — ‘Easy Ed’ — because of his calm demeanor. No matter what problem would arise, he always maintained the same calmness. He was more than a boss. I considered him a friend outside of the work environment. He would always razz me about the Tar Heels, with him being Duke Fan. He will truly be missed.” “Dr. Bossen was one of my main ‘go-to’ people for QA/QI,” said Susan Cook Watson, program coordinator. “He taught me numerous things over the years, for instance, how to calculate surgical pathology turnaround times along with how to keep our QA/QI reporting CAP compliant. For reporting purposes and lists in general, Dr. Bossen liked to see everyone listed in alphabetical order (last name, first name) and would readily point out anything that needed ‘fixing.’ Patient, kind and considerate, he will be missed.”
ROBERT BURGESS JENNINGS, MD James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Medicine by LIZ PROPER
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obert Burgess Jennings, MD, a name synonymous with pioneering research and transformative leadership throughout Duke, retired in 2003, transitioning to his role as professor emeritus after a nearly six-decade career in cardiovascular research, 48 years of which he spent with Duke Pathology.
Beyond the complexities of cellular processes, Jennings achieved a pivotal moment in cardiovascular research with the discovery of ischemic preconditioning in 1986. This groundbreaking
Robert Burgess Jennings, MD, upon his arrival at Duke in 1975 and just before his retirement in 2003
phenomenon demonstrated that brief episodes of interrupted blood supply and subsequent restoration fortify the heart, granting it resilience against prolonged periods of reduced blood flow. His work not only advanced scientific understanding, but also became a cornerstone of cardiovascular health knowledge. Outside of laboratory walls, Jennings’ transformative leadership as Chair of Pathology at Duke University Medical Center, from 1975 to 1989, created a collaborative hub for innovative research. Duke evolved into a focal point for advancements, attracting brilliant minds influenced by Jennings’ pioneering work.
(Left to right) Diane Magnuson, Robert Burgess Jennings, MD, LuSan “Sonnie” Hill
In a 2008 celebration of his career, a list of prestigious awards, including the Gold-Headed Cane of the American Society for Investigative Pathology, underscored his remarkable achievements. However, Jennings, ever humble, emphasized the importance of collective work over personal recognition — a guiding principle that left a lasting mark on colleagues and students alike.
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When Jennings first started as a trailblazer in the 1950s, he began to unravel the intricacies of ischemic myocardium. He went on to make innovative contributions that have reshaped our understanding of cardiovascular health. In an era when the mysteries of ischemic myocardium were shrouded in uncertainty, Jennings dedicated himself to deciphering the molecular events behind the demise of heart muscle cells exposed to ischemia, or a lack of blood. His meticulous work revealed that the disruption of sarcolemma, the cell membrane of heart muscle cells, is a critical event triggering their death, shedding light on fundamental aspects of cardiac function.
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION
A Pioneering Mentor
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION
Professor and Senior Vice Chair David Howell, MD, PhD, was one of Jennings’ mentees.
influence reaches far beyond the pages of research journals.
“Despite his lofty achievements, Dr. Jennings is a quiet, unassuming man,” said Howell. “At the celebration of his career in 2008, we were presented with a list of his extraordinary collection of awards and honors. I remarked to him afterwards that many of these things had been won while he was mentoring me, but he had never mentioned them. He shrugged and said something like, ‘I guess I never thought it was that important.’ In addition to pathology, he taught kindness and humility by example.”
“In addition to hiring me as a fledgling assistant professor during his tenure as chair, Dr. Jennings was one of my foundational teachers,” continued Howell. “Though his fame as an investigator was in the area of cardiac ischemia, he was also an accomplished renal pathologist. I learned much of what I know about diagnosing kidney disease sitting across the microscope from him. In 1994, he offered to nominate me for membership in the Renal Pathology Society (RPS): a new organization in which he was one of the early members. I will be president of the RPS in 2024 — a career capstone for which I owe him a major debt of gratitude,” remarked Howell.
Jennings is not just a scientist; he is an architect of knowledge, a mentor, and an agent of change, whose
Colleagues universally appreciate his unwavering commitment to scientific integrity, describing him as the “anti-hype” for prioritizing solidity over speed in an era of rushed research. His extensive career displays a remarkable focus on reperfusion injury and cardioprotection, demonstrating the hallmark of a great investigator — steadfastness amid evolving trends. Colleagues also praise his admirable human qualities, depicting him as a true gentleman, marked by total integrity and fairness and whose calm and composed demeanor prevails even in the face of stress.
(Left to right) Richard Vander Heide, MD, PhD); Salvatore Pizzo (Pathology Chair at the time); Robert Burgess Jennings, MD; Charles Steenbergen, MD, PhD
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“I worked with Dr. Jennings as a resident and as a faculty member,” said Professor of Pathology and Ophthalmology Alan D. Proia, MD, PhD. “He was always a delight to work with. He was kind, patient, and a good teacher. He shared my fascination with a kidney disorder termed ‘bile nephrosis (cholemic nephrosis)’ and had studied this while a student at Northwestern University.”
“I worked with him mostly doing medical kidney biopsies. He was a very kind and patient teacher with someone who was just starting to learn about medical kidney diseases. I still remember him telling me that the first job was to find the tissue on the slide, LOL!” The late Keith Reimer, MD, PhD (left), with Jennings
Rex Bentley, MD
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“I worked with him mostly doing medical kidney biopsies,” said Pathology Professor Rex Bentley, MD. “He was a very kind and patient teacher with someone who was just starting to learn about medical kidney diseases. I still remember him telling me that the first job was to find the tissue on the slide, LOL!” Though he has retired, Jennings’ legacy continues, including his seven guiding principles, which have become foundational tenets not only in his career but also in shaping the scientific journeys of those fortunate enough to be mentored by him:
1. A sk an important question related to what you wish to study. 2. D esign experiments that provide logical directions for answering questions. 3. M aintain focus, avoiding unproductive diversions. 4. Strategically secure funding for continuous research. 5. L everage institutional support and outside funds for sustainability. 6. B et on significant changes, recognizing their impacts in biology. 7. Be lucky.
During his time in the department, Lobaugh distinguished himself as a scholar and teacher, and perhaps his greatest contribution has been in the area of laboratory leadership. As administrative director of the DUHS Clinical Laboratories, he has provided crucial oversight for the entire laboratory enterprise. Though he has particular areas of focus in clinical chemistry and point-of-care testing (with extraordinary responsibilities in terms of both sheer specimen volume and enormous number of testing sites), he has made innumerable contributions in other areas, including our rapid and successful implementation of COVID-19 testing during the pandemic, as well as the standardization of cardiac marker testing platforms and practices across Duke Health. Over the past decade, he has been instrumental in the planning, building, and consolidation of new onsite laboratories, as well as with the implementation of the Beaker/Epic electronic medical record system. In short, he has played a major role in taking our laboratories from good to world-class. “Lobaugh has been an outstanding friend, colleague, and leader in our department for decades,” said David Howell, MD, PhD. “He will be difficult to replace, and is richly deserving of his new title, Professor Emeritus of Pathology.”
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Jennings with his late wife, Linda Jennings, at his retirement
athology Professor Bruce Lobaugh, PhD, MS, retired on Dec. 31st, 2022, after an extraordinary career at Duke spanning nearly four decades. Lobaugh was initially employed as an assistant professor in the Departments of Physiology, Surgery, and Medicine. He joined the Department of Pathology as associate professor in 2002, and was promoted to professor in 2013.
LONG-TIME STAFF RECOGNITION
BRUCE LOBAUGH, PHD, MS
EDI CCOMMITTEE
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (EDI) COMMITTEE Continuing our Commitment
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uided by the leadership of EDI Vice Chair Danielle Elliott Range, MD, and Staff Director Kelly Macklin, our EDI Committee continues to make strides toward creating a welcoming environment for faculty, staff, and trainees with various perspectives and backgrounds. Over the past year, Range has worked with the committee to create a diversity strategic plan that aligns with Duke’s tripartite mission of patient care, research, and education. We would also like to recognize Anne Buckley, MD, PhD, for her contribution to the department’s EDI mission, and for being a dedicated steward of our organization. Range has spent nearly 20 years in the education, research and practice of pathology. She works with other School of Medicine EDI leaders to advance the Moments to Movement strategic plan. As a member of the Durham and Duke communities, she sees her role as an opportunity to enhance relationships across diverse communities as it relates to pathology workforce, research, education, and clinical practice.
Danielle Elliott Range, MD
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In May 2023, nine department members gathered for the third EDI Book Club meeting to discuss Melinda Gates’ book, “Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.”
EDI Committee Launches Book Club
At each meeting, members are invited to sit around a table to discuss a book that is centered on a topic related to diversity in the workplace and beyond. It offers a safe, confidential space for coworkers to ask questions, discuss difficult topics, and share about their backgrounds. The Committee hosts two book clubs every year, and offers free copies of the book — purchased from a local, minority-owned book store — to the first 20 members who RSVP for the events. At the inaugural book club, 15 Committee members met in person to discuss Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho. Former Faculty EDI Co-Leader Anne Buckley, MD, PhD, suggested the book and helped lead the conversation. Participants enjoyed sharing about their backgrounds, and had an open, honest conversation centered on the book. Avani Pendse, MD, PhD, and Wen-Chi Foo, MD, hosted the event on behalf of the Committee, and Senior Business Manager, Pamela Harris, Staff Committee Co-Leader (along with Staff Director Kelly Macklin), arranged for refreshments. On Oct. 25th, 2022, the book club met for a second time to discuss reactions, discoveries and questions about the various topics covered in Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, by Anthony Greenwald and Mahzarin Banaji. The third meeting was held on May 31st, 2023, to discuss Melinda Gates’ book, Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World. On Oct. 5th, 2023, the book club met for a fourth time to discuss Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu. The Committee also offers ad-hoc gatherings in between these biannual events to continue conversations about the books discussed, for those who want to continue the conversation.
Highlights of the EDI Committee’s achievements and activities
Inaugural Book Club Book: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanual Acho
• Budget for departmental EDI work with approval from Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, making it possible to underwrite projects • Continued to honor the legacy of Donald Love by distributing The Donald Love Service Award to two individuals since re-establishing it in 2022. Hosted a celebration for Mr. Love’s family and former awardees • Underrepresented Minority (URM) mentorship in department, including virtual shadowing for undergrads with attendings
Book Club Book October 2022: Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People, by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
• Attendance at numerous EDI meetings, conferences, workshops, and other events, inside and outside Duke • Memberships in external EDI organizations, including Association of Pathology Chairs (APC), National Medical Association (NMA) • Recruitment of speakers on EDI topics at multiple Grand Rounds • Digital signage runs content to make us more visible to each other • Weekly newsletter announcements
Book Club Book May 2023: Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, by Melinda Gates
• EDI webpage features links to committee member activities and resource libraries • EDI library with multiple books purchased and donated; established webpage links to library eBooks • Race in medicine survey results analyzed in regard to Pathology, with plan for a custom Tableau analysis • Inclusive representation of learners, staff and leadership on the walls of the department (photos) • Recruitment fair participation and second-look events • Action on, and publication of, changes needed in medical education
Book Club Book October 2023: Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu
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In June 2022, Duke Pathology began hosting an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee Book Club, which is open to members of the Pathology Department and Clinical Laboratories. The Book Club supports the EDI Committee’s mission to help dismantle racism in all forms, and encourages Department members to speak openly, honestly, and without retribution about their experiences, and to offer ideas for improvement.
Andrea Deyrup Combats Race-Based Medicine
by JAMIE BOTTA Basic Pathology,” one of the most widely used pathology textbooks worldwide, she analyzed the 10th edition of the book to determine the extent of race-based content. Deyrup found more than 35 diseases that were associated with race. She then dove deeply into the literature, examining the data and providing context for claims in the text.
Steve Conlon
EDI CCOMMITTEE
SHAKING A SHARED DELUSION
Andrea Deyrup, MD, PhD, is a professor of Pathology at the Duke University School of Medicine.
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question from a medical student asking for clarification of racial disparities in hypertension launched a field-defining journey for Duke pathology professor Andrea Deyrup, MD, PhD. Deyrup had been taught racebased associations with disease as a medical student at the University of Chicago and, like many physicians, had considered these epidemiologic data to be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. However, as Deyrup began looking at the science supporting these racebased associations she realized that the data were often misinterpreted and based on questionable science.
She’s building connections through presentations and a popular video series to end race-based medicine: “Focusing primarily on race can lead to delay in diagnosis if a physician discounts a disease because it is uncommon in a particular population,” said Deyrup. “My goals are to change the textbook narrative and, through a series of national presentations, to build a community that will support and nurture the change we need in medicine,” she said. Her approach has focused on structural change and individual outreach. In preparation for her role as a coeditor for the 11th edition of “Robbins
Her compelling discoveries led to the presentation, “Race in Robbins: Data or Distraction?” delivered March 2021 for Duke Pathology Grand Rounds. The talk attracted a large local and national audience and resulted in subsequent invites from Harvard School of Medicine, Yale University, Memorial Sloan Kettering and other institutions. She and Joseph Graves Jr., PhD, professor of evolutionary biology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, have presented the material more than 50 times, including to Duke’s departments of neurology, family medicine, ophthalmology, pediatrics, radiology, and dermatology. “Dr. Deyrup has provided ‘eye opening’ insight into the embedded racial misinformation that permeates clinical medicine and patient care,” said Edward Buckley, MD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and vice dean for education at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Educating the educators Deyrup and Graves are working to remove race-based medicine from medical texts and board exams and to spread their message through a series of national and international presentations.
Andrea Deyrup, MD, PhD
“A common response that we get from attendees is shock and surprise that they’ve never noticed this or thought about medicine and medical education in this way,” Deyrup said. Deyrup and Graves have begun many collaborations based on connections developed in their work, building a community of like-minded scientists to foster change. “Educating the educators is critical for systemic change,” Deyrup says. “Medical students and residents feel supported when they see our presentation, since they recognize the pervasiveness of systemic racism in medicine, but often feel vulnerable when questioning what they see.” In October 2021, Deyrup launched Pathology Central, a YouTube channel and website to share videos on race in medicine and content for medical students learning pathology. Her motto is “deeper understanding equals better medicine,” and in each video she carefully dissects disease processes and links pathophysiology to patient care. Images used on the platform are of patients with multiple skin types.
One of her “Race in Medicine” videos has had a far-reaching impact on shifting the policy of the California Department of Public Health (CPDH). In a video, Deyrup tracks down the origin of the frequently cited statistic that 16% of people of African descent develop keloids, thick scarring after a skin injury, to a comment made at a dermatologic meeting 90 years ago. In September 2022, a physician who had seen Deyrup’s video brought it to the attention of the CPDH, which had published recommendations against giving intradermal vaccinations for Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) to individuals of “African, Hispanic, and possibly Asian descent,” due to an increased incidence of keloids up to 16%. After Deyrup and Graves met with a researcher from CPDH the racebased qualification was removed from the recommendation. “Over the time I have known Dr. Andrea Deyrup, she has shown great dedication and courage in taking on one of the biggest misconceptions in modern clinical practice,” Graves said. “That misconception is the idea that humans have biological races, and that medicine can be organized around supposed biological racial differences.” Another way that Deyrup is expanding her reach is through publications. In 2022, Graves and Deyrup authored two articles addressing race in medicine: a perspective piece in The New England Journal of Medicine titled “Racial Biology & Medical Misconceptions,” and, with two colleagues from the University of Chicago, a research piece in Academic Medicine examining race-based associations in the second edition of the “American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care.” Since then, the American Academy of Pediatrics has committed to eliminating race-based medicine from its guidelines, teaching materials, and textbooks.
‘A Shared Delusion’ There are still obstacles looming and much work to be done. As Deyrup sees it, the two main challenges are systemic racism and the slow pace of change in medicine. “Systemic racism is part of the fiber of medicine, woven with assumptions formed from a biological concept of race,” Deyrup said. Since few physicians have a background in evolutionary biology or in the biology of human variation, faulty experimental design and biased interpretation provide abundant “data” that can be used to support racialized medicine. “It’s all part of a shared delusion,” Deyrup said. In thinking about next steps, Deyrup would like to connect with specialty boards and continue her work with the National Board of Medical Examiners to remove race-based medicine from their exams. “The reason students are learning this misinformation is because they’re tested on it,” said Deyrup. “If we can get these testing entities to recognize that race-based medicine is harmful and then remove it, that will eliminate the impetus for medical students to learn this material and for faculty to teach it.” While Deyrup and Graves emphasize that modern humans do not have biological races, socially defined race does exist and has a tremendous impact on health and longevity. “We must maintain focus on both the legacy and the ongoing influence of systemic racism on our patients and work to provide equitable, individualized care to each of them,” Deyrup said.
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“Educating the educators is critical for systemic change. Medical students and residents feel supported when they see our presentation, since they recognize the pervasiveness of systemic racism in medicine, but often feel vulnerable when questioning what they see.”
Everardo Macias Tackles Prostate Cancer
Although still in its preliminary stages, with one in eight men facing prostate cancer in their lifetime, every breakthrough counts.
Photos by Jim Rogalski and Steve Conlon
EDI CCOMMITTEE
FROM MIGRANT FARM WORKER TO DUKE SCIENTIST
“It still baffles me how traveling in the back of a pickup truck one summer in high school got me all the way to Duke,” said Macias, a member of the Duke Cancer Institute and an assistant research professor in the Department of Cell Biology. A harrowing ride across the country, inadvertently set him on a course for higher education and a career in science. Everardo Macias, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology, assistant research professor in the Department of Cell Biology, and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute
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verardo Macias, PhD, assistant professor of pathology at Duke University School of Medicine, explores the complexities of prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
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His quest to find innovative cancer treatments mirrors his own incredible journey — from a migrant farm worker to a groundbreaking scientist. Years ago, the future he envisioned for himself was entirely different. A first-generation high school graduate working in the fields of Minnesota as a migrant farm worker, he never even planned to go to college. Today he leads cutting-edge research, using human cancer genetics and advanced gene testing, to tackle one of prostate cancer’s trickiest players: cancer cells that dodge usual treatments. In lab studies, his method of targeting a protein called NUAK2 successfully slowed down the lethal spread of these cells.
Beyond academia, he celebrates his roots with a renowned food truck, Evelyn’s Tex Mex BBQ, named after his daughter and operated with wife Lucia Collado and stepson Frank. (“Smoking good food with a little bit Tex, y un poco de Mex.”) “As a Hispanic of Mexican American descent with roots in a small Texas town, my journey to becoming an independent investigator has been enriched tremendously by great mentorship and programs geared toward increasing diversity in biomedical research.” His career researching druggable targets for prostate cancer illustrates the power of education and mentorship. Long Truck Ride Leads to Duke As a child, Macias moved back and forth between the United States and Aguascalientes, Mexico. But after his parents separated, he and his four siblings settled with their mother in Sabinal, a small town in Southwest Texas. In the summer prior to his senior year in high school, Macias traveled to northern Minnesota in the back of a pickup truck for three days with
by JAMIE BOTTA
another family to work as a migrant farm worker on sugar beet farms. Although it was far from home and the work was back-breaking, the pay was better than working on local farms in Texas. When he returned for senior year, his guidance counselor mentioned an opportunity in Austin, Texas, at St. Edwards University: a College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Scholarship that would pay for the first year of college. At the time, he wanted to be an accountant, but when he started taking general chemistry and science classes, his professors said he had a knack for it. “Although I worked on farms in Mexico and Texas, I only worked one summer as a true migrant farm worker. When I met other students in the CAMP program who were bona-fide migrant farm workers for as long as they could remember, they told stories of what they went through and how much work and suffering it took. I knew I couldn’t squander the opportunity,” Macias said. As an undergraduate at St. Edwards, he held summer internships at Monsanto, the St. Louis-based manufacturer of agricultural and biochemical products. “I realized that my life had taken a 180-degree turn, that I was now conducting research on transgenic seed varieties for a company whose
Everardo Macias as a toddler, in the yellow shirt, with his family.
products I was working with in fields just three years before,” he said. “It hit me how powerful higher education is. It was an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me.” He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from St. Edwards, but graduate school wasn’t on the radar for Macias until his advisors recommended it. He would eventually earn a PhD in comparative biomedical sciences from North Carolina State University.
From 2013-2015, he served as a project scientist in the Department of Surgery at Duke. After a stint as an assistant professor at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles in 2015, he rejoined Duke in 2018 as a cancer researcher. “Everardo is working at the cutting edge of prostate cancer research,” said Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Duke Department of Pathology and member of the Duke Cancer Institute who collaborates with Macias. His trajectory “demonstrates his personal quality, perseverance, determination, and the opportunities this great country affords people of different backgrounds. His story is an inspiration to us all.” Tackling the Neuroendocrine Challenge From diagnosis to treatment, the prostate cancer journey is fraught with challenges, chief among them is the task of distinguishing between deadly and less severe cases. Very rarely, prostate cancer starts in neuroendocrine cells. Some prostate cancers become resistant to treatment and turn into neuroendocrine tumors, which are more aggressive and have a poorer outlook. In 2022, Macias earned a Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Idea Development
In his pathology lab at Duke University School of Medicine, Everardo Macias, PhD, is pioneering ways to combat aggressive prostate cancers, especially neuroendocrine tumors that resist treatment.
Award to pursue new treatments for neuroendocrine tumors. The DOD recently committed to funding Macias’ research for three more years.
Macias for a productive graduate experience at Duke. “I learned a lot and I will always be grateful for Dr. Macias and his mentorship.”
He’s principal investigator of the DOD grant that includes Huang and co-investigators, Ming Chen, PhD, associate professor in Pathology; and Jung Wook Park, PhD, assistant professor in Pathology.
Additionally, Macias has mentored two undergraduate Duke University students who graduated with firstauthor publications. The students, Peter Nam and Megan Zhao, are now applying to medical school.
Macias’ lab delves into the genetics behind tumor growth, focusing on targets with tangible clinical implications. Through functional genomic screens, he has identified lesser-known protein kinases that are critical to prostate cancer tumor growth. Kinases are high-value targets because they are potentially susceptible to drug treatments.
“When I joined the Macias lab, I had little idea of what research entailed, [but] Dr. Macias took me under his wing and showed me all that it could be,” Zhao said.
Using his research as a starting point, he collaborates with medicinal chemists and structural biologists to pinpoint pharmacological molecules in cancer cells to target with medicines, aiming for an approach that could save lives from prostate cancer. Mentoring Tomorrow’s Scientists In a career backed by major grants and teamwork with top-notch scientists, he ranks mentoring his first graduate student, Amelia Schirmer, PhD, a skilled cancer researcher, as one of his proudest achievements. “He took a chance on me as his first student,” said Schirmer, who credits
Macias said he has a deep commitment to mentoring aspiring researchers, especially those from rural and underrepresented backgrounds, and he’s actively involved in graduate admissions, summer research programs, and lab mentoring. “I believe it’s as simple as having a mentor of similar heritage, or who may have had a comparable upbringing as you, to make seeking guidance in academia much more approachable,” he said. Interested in learning more about Dr. Macias’ journey and career? Read the full article on our site here.
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After refining his expertise during postdoctoral fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Texas-Austin, he made a significant transition, trading his Tar Heel blue for the Blue Devil spirit.
COUNT AND AMOUNT
Autopsies
FY23 298
32 J. Robert Satterwhite, Autopsy/ Histology Technician
Grant Funding FY23 Total: $15,584,593 75 Federal $12,845,885
Grant figures based on primary appointment grants
15 Non-Federal
$2,738,708
Anatomic Path Cases
FY23 140,939
Paraffin Blocks
FY23 351,801
Sydney Partington, Medical Laboratory Scientist, cutting sections on microtome
Shaumon Campbell, Clinical Technician II, organizing paraffin blocks
Cytology Cases
Laboratory Tests
FY23 40,779 Vontell Allen, Histology/Cytology Technician, Cytology specimen receiving
FY23 12,091,967 Gabrielle White, Medical Laboratory Scientist in the Molecular Diagnostics Lab
DUKE PATHOLOGY 2023 ANNUAL MAGAZINE
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AROUND THE DEPARTMENT
Left to right: Emily Knutson; Rami Al-Rohil, MBBS; Patricia Lea; David Howell, MD, PhD; Sara Miller, PhD; Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
Service Awards In June 2023, Duke Pathology hosted its annual Service Awards luncheon to celebrate department members who have reached major milestones in their continuous service to Duke. Many of the awardees gathered in Duke School of Medicine’s Davison Building, where Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, recognized their years of service. “I’m very proud to say that I know each and every one of you very well, and have worked very closely with you,” said Huang. “The commitment you have shown is remarkable. Because of you, our department is doing very well in all our missions. We provide patient care of the highest quality. Our educational programs are training young people to take care of patients and study important diseases. Thank you all for your hard work and for your commitment.
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CAP Leadership Summit Diana Cardona, MD, FCAP, and Xiaoyin “Sara” Jiang, MD, FCAP, were invited speakers at the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Pathologists Leadership Summit in April, 2023. The meeting focused on leadership and communication skills, as well as advocacy issues affecting pathologists. Anand Lagoo, MD, PhD, FCAP, also led the North Carolina Delegation at the CAP House of Delegates. Several of the N.C. delegation also met with representatives of their elected officials during “Hill Day” to advocate for issues that impact pathologists and the patients they serve. Left to right: Sara Jiang, MD, FCAP; Patrick Wilson, MD, FCAP; Diana Cardona, MD, FCAP; Chad McCall, MD, PhD, FCAP
Kwon Receives Kinney Scholars Award PGY-1 resident Grace Kwon, MD, PhD, was selected by the Association of Pathology Chairs (APC) as a 2023 Society of ’67 Kinney Scholar, and attended the APC annual meeting in Chicago. Residency Program Director Thomas J. Cummings, MD, sponsored her. “The APC offers outstanding opportunities for residents to become involved in academic pathology. Dr. Kwon earned it and we applaud her success!” he said.
Left to right: Brittany Harris, Tommy Holloway, Tracy Watson, Jawanna Bell
“The APC offers outstanding opportunities for residents to become involved in academic pathology. Dr. Kwon earned it and we applaud her success!” Thomas J. Cummings, MD
Staff Appreciation Breakfast In June 2023, Pathology hosted a breakfast for the outstanding staff members who provide administrative support for our department. It represented appreciation for their hard work. Human Resources Director Kelly Macklin recognized the staff present, and shared the results of recent “stay interviews” conducted with the support staff, outlining the positive feedback staff shared and identifying areas for improvement.
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Grace Kwon, MD, PhD, in the Surgical Pathology Lab
Left to right: Ginger Griffin, Kelly Macklin, Pamela Harris, Tracy Watson, Susan Watson, Veronica Whitley, Amy Orange
AROUND THE DEPARTMENT
“After hitting this milestone, I see an enhancement of enthusiasm and confidence that will carry you all through your journey at Duke.” Soman Abraham, PhD
Soman Abraham, PhD, (far left) and Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, (far right) with lab coat recipients
Lab Coat Ceremony Honors New PhD Candidates The PhD Graduate Program held its second Lab Coat Ceremony in 2023 to recognize students who are now on track as PhD candidates, as they continue their research and move towards defending their thesis projects. PhD candidate Lucy Driver, who received her lab coat at the ceremony, proposed the idea for this event, which launched in October 2022. Director of Graduate Studies in Pathology Soman Abraham, PhD, who mentored two of the 2023 lab coat recipients, offered remarks along with Pathology Department Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD. “Congratulations to our brilliant graduates,” said Abraham. “This is just a stepping stone to in your journey toward your degree. After hitting this milestone, I see an enhancement of enthusiasm and confidence that will carry you all through your journey at Duke. Thank you to all the faculty members who showed up to celebrate with us today.”
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He also recognized Director of Graduate Studies Assistant (DGSA) Ebony Ambrose for supporting the program and for coordinating the event.
Pathologists’ Assistant Graduation Banquet Steven “Steve” Conlon received the 2023 Pamela Vollmer Teaching Award at the Pathologists’ Assistant graduation dinner. Each year, the graduating Pathologists’ Assistant class awards the individual whose knowledge, teaching and professionalism has had the most positive impact on their training. Steve is our senior medical photographer and course coordinator for the PA program photography class, and has been with our department for 40 years. “He has done a tremendous job teaching our students how to take anatomic specimen photos/photomicrographs, how to use Photoshop, and how to prepare presentations,” said Michelle Johnson, MHS, PA (ASCP)CM, director of the Pathologists’ Assistant Program.
Steve Conlon, center, with PA students at graduation dinner
Left to right: Danielle Elliott Range, MD; Guster Lewis, Jr.; Ronald Christian Lee; Pearlie Love Lewis; Deidre Lewis; Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD
In May 2023, the department hosted a hybrid in-person and virtual reception at the University Club in Durham to celebrate the legacy of Donald N. Love, honor his family members, and recognize our Love Service Awardees past and present. Pathology Chair Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Vice Chair Danielle Elliott Range, MD, and David Howell, MD, PhD, presented. We were honored to have many of Love’s family present, including his great nephew, H. Herbert Love III, who delivered remarks on behalf of the family, and Love’s surviving daughter, Pearlie Love Lewis, who was instrumental in providing photos and information about her father to the department to share. “We all remember Uncle Don as a warm-hearted, loving father and grandfather,” said Herbert Love. “Most importantly, he was a source of inspiration when we had a bad day. He could always cheer us up with his great sense of humor. We all have come to understand that he was indeed a trailblazer. We thank the Pathology Department for its active efforts to preserve the historic contributions and memory of Donald Love,” he said.
“We have all come to understand that he was indeed a trailblazer. We thank the Pathology Department for its active efforts to preserve the historic contributions and memory of Donald Love.” H. Herbert Love III
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Donald Nelson Love Honored at Reception
PRIMARY FACULTY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY
Faculty Leadership
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Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD Chair, Department of Pathology Distinguished University Professor Johnston and West Endowed Chair David N. Howell, MD, PhD Sr. Vice Chair and AP&T Chair Sarah M. Bean, MD Vice Chair of Faculty Rex Bentley, MD Vice Chair and Director of Surgical Pathology Diana Cardona, MD Vice Chair and Director, DUHS Anatomic Pathology Labs Thomas Cummings, MD Vice Chair and Director of Residency Program Rajesh Dash, MD Vice Chair for Pathology Informatics Michael Datto, MD, PhD Vice Chair and Director of Clinical Pathology Shannon J. McCall, MD Vice Chair of Translational Research Danielle Elliott Range, MD Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Ken H. Young, MD, PhD Vice Chair for Research Elizabeth Boswell, MD Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Durham VA
Carolyn Glass, MD, PhD Associate Professor, Director Louis R. DiBernardo, MD Assistant Professor William Jeck, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Laura Hale, MD, PhD Professor Elizabeth N. Pavlisko, MD Associate Professor Huihua Li, MD, PhD Assistant Professor John M. Carney, MD Assistant Professor Shih-Hsiu “Jerry” Wang, MD, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Autopsy
Breast Pathology
Rajesh Dash, MD
Genitourinary Pathology Wen-Chi Foo, MD Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD Diana Kozman, MD John F. Madden, MD, PhD Avani Pendse, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Section Head Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Associate Professor
Gynecologic Pathology Rex Bentley, MD Sarah M. Bean, MD Diana Kozman, MD
Professor, Section Head Professor Assistant Professor
Head, Neck & Endocrine Pathology Xiaoyin “Sara” Jiang, MD Jeffrey Arnold, MD John F. Madden, MD, PhD Danielle Elliott Range, MD
Professor, Section Head Assistant Professor Associate Professor Associate Professor
Ken H. Young, MD, PhD Professor, Section Head Eric Carlsen, MD, PhD Assistant Professor; Director of Blood Cancer Center Lab and Morris Building Lab Luis Carrillo, MD Assistant Professor, Director, Hematopathology Lab Anand S. Lagoo, MD, PhD Professor; Director, Flow Cytometry Lab Jadee Neff, MD, PhD Assistant Professor; Assistant Medical Director, MPGG Sergio Piña-Oviedo, MD Associate Professor Wen Shuai, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Associate Director Flow Cytometry Lab
Associate Professor, Section Head Professor Professor
Infectious Pathology
Professor
Liver Pathology
Cardiovascular Pathology Carolyn Glass, MD, PhD Louis R. DiBernardo, MD John M. Carney, MD Huihua Li, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Section Head Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
Elizabeth N. Pavlisko, MD
Associate Professor
Cytopathology/FNA Danielle Elliott Range, MD Jeffrey Arnold, MD Sarah M. Bean, MD Rajesh Dash, MD Rachel Factor, MD Wen-Chi Foo, MD Xiaoyin “Sara” Jiang, MD Avani Pendse, MD, PhD
Associate Professor Associate Professor
Hematopathology
Autopsy Pathology
Rachel Factor, MD Sarah M. Bean, MD Rex Bentley, MD
Shannon J. McCall, MD Avani Pendse, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Director; Director Cytopath Lab Assistant Professor Professor Professor Associate Professor Associate Professor Professor Associate Professor
Dermatopathology Maria Angelica Selim, MD Professor, Section Head Rami Al-Rohil, MBBS Associate Professor Jennifer Crimmins, MD Assistant Professor Kenneth Ellington, MD Assistant Professor Michelle Schneider, MB, BCh, BAO Assistant Professor
Gastrointestinal Pathology Chanjuan Shi, MD Professor, Section Head Diana M. Cardona, MD Associate Professor; Director, DUHS Anatomic Pathology Labs Fengming Chen, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Wei Chen, MD Assistant Professor Cynthia D. Guy, MD Professor William Jeck, MD, PhD Assistant Professor
John F. Madden, MD, PhD
Cynthia D. Guy, MD Diana M. Cardona, MD Fengming Chen, MD, PhD Wei Chen, MD William Jeck, MD, PhD Shannon J. McCall, MD Chanjuan Shi, MD Avani Pendse, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Professor, Section Head Associate Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Associate Professor
Neuropathology Thomas J. Cummings, MD Professor, Section Head Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD Associate Professor Karra Jones, MD, PhD Associate Professor Giselle López, MD, PhD Associate Professor Roger McLendon, MD Professor Shih-Hsiu “Jerry” Wang, MD, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Autopsy
Muscle and Nerve Pathology Karra Jones, MD, PhD Associate Professor, Section Head, Medical Director, EMICL Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD Associate Professor Thomas J. Cummings, MD Professor Shih-Hsiu “Jerry” Wang, MD, PhD Assistant Professor
Ophthalmic Pathology Thomas J. Cummings, MD Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD Alan D. Proia, MD, PhD Shih-Hsiu “Jerry” Wang, MD, PhD
Professor, Section Head Associate Professor Professor Assistant Professor
Pulmonary /Thoracic Pathology Elizabeth N. Pavlisko, MD Associate Professor, Section Head; Director, DAPDA and PRC
Assistant Professor; Associate Director, DAPDA and PRC Associate Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor
Renal Pathology Laura Barisoni, MD Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD David N. Howell, MD, PhD
Professor, Section Head Associate Professor Professor
Soft Tissue & Bone Pathology Diana M. Cardona, MD Wei Chen, MD William Jeck, MD, PhD Rex Bentley, MD Thomas J. Cummings, MD
Associate Professor, Section Head Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Professor Professor
Undergraduate Medical Education Andrea Deyrup, MD, PhD
Professor, Director of Undergraduate Medical Education
VA Faculty Elizabeth Boswell, MD
Assistant Professor, Chief, P&LMS
Christopher Alley, MD
Assistant Professor
Maureane Hoffman, MD, PhD Amy Lark, MD, PhD
Professor Adjunct Assistant Professor
Duke Regional Pathology Michael Waugh, MD Maureen Bauer, MD Kenneth Ellington, MD
Assistant Professor, Chief and CLIA Director, DRH and Affiliated Laboratories Assistant Professor Assistant Professor, Section Director, Blood Bank, DRH
Duke Raleigh Pathology Rebecca Varley, MD Wesley Mallinger, DO Maggie Stoecker, MD Huiwen Bill Xie, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, CLIA Director, DRAH and Affiliated Laboratories Assistant Professor, Section Director, Blood Bank, DRaH Assistant Professor; Section Director, Hematology, DRaH Assistant Professor
Research Faculty Soman Abraham, PhD Grace Kerby Distinguished Professor; Director of PhD Program Rebecca Bacon, DVM Assistant Professor Laura Barisoni, MD Professor Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD Associate Professor Ling Cai, PhD Assistant Professor Dongfeng Chen, PhD Associate Professor Ming Chen, PhD Associate Professor Zhong Chen, PhD Assistant Professor Donna Crenshaw, PhD Assistant Professor Colin Duckett, PhD Professor Laura Hale, MD, PhD Professor Yiping He, PhD Associate Professor Maureane Hoffman, MD, PhD Professor Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD Distinguished University Professor Chelsea Landon, PhD Assistant Professor Hui-Kuan Lin, MD, PhD Professor, Director of Prostate Cancer Research Giselle López, MD, PhD Associate Professor Everardo Macias, PhD Assistant Professor Roger McLendon, MD Professor Sara E. Miller, PhD Professor Mikhail Nikiforov, PhD Professor John Norton, DVM, PhD Professor
Jung Wook Park, PhD Rollie Assistant Professor of Correlative Pathology Christopher Pirozzi, PhD Assistant Professor Salvatore Pizzo, MD, PhD Distinguished Professor Randall Reynolds, DVM Associate Professor Herman Staats, PhD Professor Francis Sun, DVM Assistant Professor Mary Sunday, MD, PhD Professor Ken H. Young, MD, PhD Professor Qianben Wang, PhD Professor Zijun Yidan Xu-Monette, PhD Assistant Professor
Retired from Clinical Practice William Bradford, MD Professor Patrick Buckley, MD, PhD Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Everitt, DVM Professor Emeritus Robert Jennings, MD James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emeritus Claudia Jones, MD Associate Professor Emeritus Bruce Lobaugh, PhD Professor Emeritus Barth Reller, MD Professor Stanley Robboy, MD Professor Emeritus John D. Shelburne, MD, PhD Professor Emeritus
Directors Duke University Hospital Labs Michael Datto, MD, PhD Associate Professor; Associate Vice President and Medical Director of DUHS Laboratories Nicholas Bandarenko, MD Associate Professor; CLIA Director, Transfusion Dongfeng Chen, PhD Associate Professor; Director, CTIL Kristen Deak, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Molecular Pathology, Genetics and Genomics (MPGG) Nancy Henshaw, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology Diana Alame, MD Assistant Professor, Director, Clinical Microbiology Mark Lee, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology Jessica Poisson, MD Associate Professor; Associate Director, Transfusion Catherine Rehder, PhD Associate Professor; Director, MPGG Stefan Rentas, PhD Assistant Professor; Associate Director, MPGG Sarah Rapisardo, PhD Assistant Professor, Associate Director, MPGG Beth Shaz, MD Professor; Co-Director, Stem Cell Lab John Toffaletti, PhD Professor; Dir., Blood Gas Lab; CHCL; CPED Ruhan Wei, PhD Assistant Professor; Director, Clinical Chemistry
Administration Amy Orange, BS, CFM Chief Department Administrator Jeff Thomasson, MBA Director of Finance Pamela Harris, MBA Director of Administrative Operations Kelly Macklin, BS HR Director Jamie Botta, MBA Communications Strategist Jawanna Bell, CEAP, AS GME Coordinator, Residency/Fellowships Michelle Johnson, MHS, PA, (ASCP)CM Program Director, PA Program Ebony Ambrose, BA Program Coordinator, PhD Program Brittany Harris Program Coordinator, Fellowship Program
Services
Shannon J. McCall, MD, Director Sara E. Miller, PhD, Director Shannon J. McCall, MD, Director Steve Conlon
BioRepository & Precision Pathology Research EM Research Immunohistology PhotoPath
Visit www.pathology.duke.edu/faculty for the most current listing of department members.
39 DUKE PATHOLOGY 2023 ANNUAL MAGAZINE
John M. Carney, MD Carolyn Glass, MD, PhD Huihua Li, MD, PhD Sergio Piña-Oviedo, MD Victor Roggli, MD
40 Duke Medicine Circle DUMC 3712 Durham, NC 27710
pathology.duke.edu
Cytology Laboratory members, circa 1977. Front row left to right: Sandra P. Bigner, MD; William Webb Johnston, MD, who started the Division of Cytology within the Pathology Department and served as the Chief of Cytopathology for 25 years until his retirement; Edward H. Bossen, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pathology, who unfortunately passed away in 2023. Before joining the faculty, he was one of the first residents to rotate in the newly established Cytopathology service, which was one of the first in the United States. Visit https://pathology.duke.edu/cytologylaboratory-members-circa-1977 for a legend identifying additional group members pictured.