Clockwise starting front left: Zheng Ping (class of 2017), Professor Shi Wei, Ruby Ma (2016), Jennifer Gordetsky, Assistant Professors Ginger Duncan (2017) and Brandi McCleskey (2016), Ren (2014), Dejun Shen.
In the Department of Pathology, we are fortunate to have several faculty members who worked as trainees at UAB at one point or another in their academic careers. Follow along with a few of them as they describe when they first came to UAB, and how they wound up as full-time faculty on our team. Their stories are varied, and we are thrilled to count them all as colleagues.
Diana Morlote, M.D.
Assistant professor, Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics
When did you come to UAB?
In July 2017 I became a Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow and in July 2018 I started my Hematopathology fellowship. I've been an attending since July 2019.
Had you ever been to Birmingham and/or Alabama prior to coming?
No. I relocated to Birmingham to train at UAB.
What impressions did you have of UAB before coming (if any)?
I did not know much about UAB, other than (former faculty member) Dr. Deniz Peker, who had trained in my residency program in Miami and was a Hematopathology attending. She always said UAB had great opportunities for trainees due to the diversity of specimens.
What made you decide to come to the department?
When I interviewed for the Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship I immediately felt at home. Everyone was so welcoming and attentive.The collegial atmosphere was a big draw for me. UAB's support faculty is one of the most helpful I have encountered. I decided to stay as an attending because of the quality of the cases, which are always intellectually stimulating, and the opportunities to have great and approachable mentors.
How has UAB changed since you started here?
The molecular lab has been expanding at a rapid pace, which is very exciting.
What do you like most about working in the department?
The collegial atmosphere and support from my peers and mentors.
What would you tell others about working at UAB in the Department of Pathology?
It's a fantastic place to jumpstart your academic career and grow it to the fullest.
Dr. Chad Siniard with Dr. Shuko Harada at his graduation from a fellowship in molecular pathology and transfusion medicinChad Siniard, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Laboratory Medicine
When did you come to UAB?
I first came to UAB in 2010 to attend the blood bank lectures as part of my training at Baptist Health. In July of 2015, I began my Transfusion Medicine Fellowship with Dr. Marques. I trained at Baptist Health for my AP/CP residency here in town. I knew that UAB Pathology was very strong after attending the blood bank lectures as a resident. It was this experience that got me interested in Transfusion Medicine to begin with.
What made you decide to come to the department?
I've always considered UAB home since completing my training here. The transfusion medicine training is very strong at UAB, and I wanted to be a part of that as faculty. After finishing my fellowship training, I took at job at UNC at Chapel Hill. I did have plans to return!
I came back in March of 2020. (former division director) Dr. X. Long Zheng sent me an email asking if we could chat on the phone about the possibility of me coming back to UAB. Not long after that phone call, I was invited for an interview. I was very excited about the opportunity to come back!
How has UAB changed since you started here?
Since I started right before the pandemic began, there have been lots of masks and social distancing. Otherwise, we are business as usual on the Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis services.
What do you like most about working in the department?
My mentors and colleagues. I feel like I have so much support and interest from others in building my career.
What would you tell others about working at UAB in the Department of Pathology?
That if you want to succeed and grow from a career perspective, it's definitely here in the the Department. I've only been here for 8 months, and the opportunities for growth and leadership have been amazing. You just have to work hard!
Erin Eun-Young Ahn, Ph.D.
Associate professor, Molecular & Cellular Pathology
When did you come to UAB? (and if not to Pathology—when pathology)?
When I came to UAB, the Pathology Department had its own Ph.D. program called the Molecular Cellular Pathology Graduate Program. I entered the program as graduate student in Fall 1998.
I came to Birmingham on the last day of 1997 after completing my undergraduate study as well as graduate study for my Master’s degree in South Korea. That was my first time traveling to the US, and Birmingham was the first place I lived in within the US.
What made you decide to come to the Department?
When I applied, Dr. Tom Lincoln was the Director of the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program. When I had an interview with Dr. Lincoln, he was very nice, humorous and enthusiastic, which made me feel comfortable and excited. The program was also small (less than 10 new students per year), and I liked the small, family-like group. So, when I got an offer, I said, “Definitely, yes!”
When you left, where did you go, and did you plan on returning?
After completing my Ph.D. study under my mentor Dr. Jay McDonald [former department chair], I left UAB in November 2003 and moved to San Diego, California, for my postdoctoral training at UC San Diego. I remember it was raining on my last day at UAB, and I was crying a lot on that day looking at the rain and thinking that this would be the last moment at UAB in my life!
When did you return, and why?
I came back to the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology as an Associate Professor in February this year (2020). After my postdoctoral training, I became a faculty member at the University of South Alabama and visited UAB and Birmingham a few times. Whenever I visited, I felt like I was coming back home and wanted to return. Also, I was amazed by how much UAB research had grown since I left.
How has UAB changed since you started here?
When I was a graduate student, there were so many empty clearings around campus. When I left UAB in 2003, they were digging the ground to build the Shelby building. I returned to find that the campus had expanded so much, and I almost got lost when walking through the bridgeways connecting the new buildings. When I was a student here, I didn’t have many options for lunch besides McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s, and I think I ate Wendy’s burger and baked potato at least three times per week. Now, it is wonderful to have so many nice places to go and to eat on campus!
What do you like most about working in the department?
The faculty and staff members in our department are very supportive, understanding and cooperative. Also, our department has a nice blend of basic, translational and clinical research covering many different research areas, so I can keep educating myself by learning from my colleagues.
What would you tell others about working at UAB, in the Department of Pathology?
It is a pleasure working with people filled with passion, vision and genuine care for others!
When I was a graduate student working at LHRB, I had a little white toy dog on my lab desk. I brought it to San Diego and kept it on my lab desk during all the years of my postdoctoral training. The toy dog moved to South Alabama in 2012, finally returned back to UAB with me this year, and now it is in my office at WTI!
Another thing I liked: I was surprised to find out that my old Blazer ID was still alive and I didn’t have to make a new one when I came back!
Brandi McCleskey, M.D.
Assistant professor, Division of Forensics
When did you come to UAB? (and if not to Pathology—when pathology)?
2012: AP/CP Residency. Being from the south (Memphis area), I’d driven through Birmingham many times, but never had a reason to spend time here before residency. My husband is from
Marisa Marques, as a resident in forensics with Dr. Greg Davis in 1997. north Alabama so he had familiarity with Birmingham and family still in north Alabama.
What impressions did you have of UAB before coming (if any)?
Based on my inquiry regarding programs for residency, the overarching theme of UAB Pathology seemed to be its successful track record of training phenomenal pathologists. That sounded like something I’d like to be a part of.
What made you decide to come to the Department?
I thankfully matched here for residency. The collegial department was what initially drew me here and I’m happy to say that feeling still exists (and why I continue to stay here)
How has UAB changed since you started here?
The success of UAB has just continued to grow. Our department is no exception, and seeing the influx of “transplants” from all over the nation (and world) become a part of our department and our culture has been exciting.
What do you like most about working in the department?
I feel like I grew up here (in a professional sense) and it could have been difficult to transition from trainee to colleague. That hasn’t been the case. I feel like I entered a new family in 2012 and even though my roles have changed during my time here, I’m very much supported and respected by the members of this department.
What would you tell others about working at UAB, in the Department of Pathology
The shared vision that we all have for this department and the success we all share as it continues to achieve goals is electrifying. Our culture is one of collaboration, collegiality, and passion. I believe it’s infectious once you get here, and it’s exciting to see how our patients continue to benefit from the dedication of this Department.
Marisa Marques, M.D.
Professor of Pathology, Interim Division Director, Laboratory Medicine
When did you come to UAB? (and if not to Pathology—when pathology)?
In January of 1994 to start my AP/CP residency. I had come the first time in October of 1992 to accompany my husband, who was interviewing for a job.
What impressions did you have of UAB before coming (if any)?
Since I did research in Group B Streptococcus at Harvard and there was a group at UAB (under Dr. David Briles) working on the same subject, I knew of UAB through that research in Microbiology.
What made you decide to come to the Department?
My family moved here because of my husband’s J1 visa. He needed to work in an underserved area for 2 years in order to receive the Green Card. I had decided to start a residency since after finishing Medicine in Brazil, I had spent 7 years as a research fellow at NIH and Harvard Medical School. UAB gave me the opportunity to train in Pathology, which was I had decided my new specialty would be.
How has UAB changed since you started here?
There are many more buildings, both in the hospital and the campus, as well as green areas and modern architecture. I remember when the Alys Stephens Center opened and became the home of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
What do you like most about working in the department?
The camaraderie among everyone, including the staff in the offices and in the laboratories.
What would you tell others about working at UAB, in the Department of Pathology?
I would say that it allows you to be the best you can be as long as you put forth the effort to achieve your goals. There is ample collaboration and mentorship to help anyone who needs it. All you need to do is ask and you will find the right person(s) to help guide you.
While we came to UAB because of my husband’s visa needs and we could have left after two years, we found it to be the right place to raise our two sons. It has been 27 years since we moved here, which is more than we lived anywhere, including our native country. Although our sons left Alabama for college in NYC, they love to return home to Birmingham. Now that they are in California, they miss the beautiful seasons, especially the fall colors which are gorgeous here.