Cytopathology Fellowship

Each year, two positions are available in this one-year program. The fellowship provides training in all areas of cytology with a special emphasis on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) techniques including ultrasound guided biopsy, specimen triage, and smear interpretation. At the beginning of fellowship, trainees receive intensive training and supervision. They are gradually given more responsibility, and ultimately function independently with minimal faculty oversight. Fellows will have access to, and will participate in the sampling of some 4000 specimens per year collected by the FNA clinics at both UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General sites. In addition, large numbers of interesting exfoliative cases are reviewed. Deep-seated lesions are accessed with imaging in collaboration with other departments, and advanced ancillary testing is routinely applied to cytologic material. Fellows also participate in daily cytopathology sign-outs, intradepartmental teaching conferences, and grand rounds.

Cytopathology Group Photo 2019

From left to right: Ron Balassanian, Sarah Calkins, Tara Saunders, Vighnesh Walavalkar, Elham Khanafshar, Kent Truong, Lucy Han, Annemieke van Zante, Roberto Ruiz-Cordero

Not pictured: Britt-Marie Ljung, Theodore Miller, Steven Long, Poonam Vohra, Gioia Iezza, Teresa Darragh, Frederick Baehner, Vimal Krishnan, Nancy Greenland

Faculty Involved with Fellowship

Ronald Balassanian, MD
Frederick Baehner, MD
Teresa M. Darragh, MD
Georgios Deftereos, MD
Nancy Greenland, MD, PhD
Gioia Iezza, MD
Elham Khanafshar, MD, MS
Vimal Krishnan, MD
Britt-Marie Ljung, MD
Steven R. Long, MD
Peyman Samghabadi, MD
Annemieke van Zante, MD, PhD
Poonam Vohra, MD
Vighnesh Walavalkar, MD

Current & Future Fellows

2023-24
Constance Chen, MD
Nebil Mohammed, MD

2024-25
Amanda Borgen, MD
Julia Ye, MD, PhD

2025-26
Tushar Chakravarty, MD, MS
Nikka Khorsandi, MD, MPH

Requirements

Candidates must have completed three years of AP or AP/CP residency training by the start date of the fellowship.

Non-U.S. citizens must possess a permanent resident card or an appropriate educational visa prior to starting a postgraduate medical education program. The Department of Pathology may sponsor J1 visas.

Medical Board of California

Salary

Fellows will be appointed as a PGY-5.

UCSF GME Trainee Financial Resources

Application

The UCSF Cytopathology Fellowship program adheres to the Cytopathology Fellowship Unified Application and upholds all of the policies and code of conduct expectations, which are detailed here.  Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now closed. 

Important Dates

Please check back in Spring 2024 for updates on the 2026-2027 academic year.

The program does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans.