Neuropathology Fellowship

This two-year accredited fellowship provides comprehensive training in diagnostic and investigative neuropathology within one of the largest subspecialty training centers of its type, either as part of a combined 4-year AP/NP residency or as a stand-alone NP fellowship. The program has a long tradition of excellence in teaching, clinical service, and research. Over 3000 neurosurgical, neuromuscular, autopsy, eye, and extramural consult cases are reviewed each year. Our training program is one of the largest in the country and several newly added rotations have provided enhanced training opportunities in molecular, pediatric/developmental, neurodegenerative, and forensic neuropathology. The goals of the clinical training are to provide a broad fund of knowledge in neuroanatomy; gross and microscopic CNS, PNS, and muscle neuropathology; clinico-neuropathological correlations; and ancillary histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular genetic techniques. The diagnostic service is particularly strong in neuro-oncology, epilepsy, nerve and muscle disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and infections.

Research training is individually tailored to each fellow in order to best serve their long-term career goals. There are currently 11 full-time NP faculty, 7 jointly appointed NP and neurology/ophthalmology /radiation oncology faculty, and 4 forensic pathologists/neuropathologists. Their research interests are mostly focused on molecular neuro-oncology, developmental/stem cell pathology, neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular pathology, eye pathology, and basic neurobiology; however, fellows may also pursue research in one of the many neuroscience-related laboratories outside of pathology. UCSF neuropathology fellows have been remarkably successful presenting their work at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP), as well as at the US and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), and the quarterly Bay Area Neuropathology Club (BANP). Among the key strengths of this program are its large and highly diverse case material, faculty expertise, and research opportunities. 

Requirements

To qualify candidates must have one of the following: successful completion of two years of a pathology residency accredited by the ACGME or a program located in Canada and accredited by the RCPSC; certification by the ABP in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology, in anatomic pathology, or in neurology or neurological surgery by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Applicants who are certified in neurology or neurological surgery by a member board of the ABMS must have completed at least one year of anatomic pathology in an ACGME-accredited pathology program, or an anatomic pathology program located in Canada and accredited by the RCPSC to be eligible for appointment to the program.

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.

Applicants must have an unrestricted California medical license before they begin their clinical duties.

ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education

Medical Board of California

Salary

1st Year Fellows will be appointed as a PGY-5.

2nd Year Fellows will be appointed as a PGY-6.

UCSF GME Trainee Financial Resources

Application

2025-2027: Filled
2026-2028: Filled
2027-2029: Filled
2028-2030: Open

The UCSF Neuropathology Fellowship program is accepting applications for the 2028-2030 academic cycle starting July 1, 2025.

To apply, please submit the CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application, along with your curriculum vitae, a personal statement of interest, the Applicant Diversity Data form, and a photo of yourself in JPEG or PDF format. Three letters of recommendation should be sent directly from your recommenders and or program coordinator, also in PDF file format. All application materials are to be submitted in a PDF file format via email to the Fellowship Program Administrator, Suria Sadat.

For the best experience, we recommend downloading the application using the link below and opening it with Adobe Acrobat software to complete the fillable PDF form.

Important Dates

July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025: Applications are received.
October 1, 2025: Deadline to submit application.
October 2025 to January 2026: Virtual interviews will begin.

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.