What drew you to pathology?
It was the sense that every disease is like a mystery waiting to be solved. As pathologists, we hold the key to unlocking that mystery and, in many cases, determining a patient’s outcome. Whether the diagnosis is malignant or benign, our role has a direct and powerful impact, creating a profound connection between our specialty and the patients we serve.
I also see pathology as the perfect intersection between diagnostics and precision medicine. For example, pathologists are deeply involved in assessing predictive biomarkers – essential tools for identifying whether a patient may benefit from a specific, personalized therapy. That work places us at the forefront of medical innovation, and being part of that frontier was a major draw for me.
Another aspect of pathology that’s often underappreciated is its inherent multidisciplinary nature. On any given day, pathologists might collaborate with colleagues from oncology, radiology, and surgery, discussing cases and working together to optimize patient care. That spirit of teamwork and cross-specialty collaboration has always been something I value deeply – and it’s a defining feature of this field.
What led to you pursuing a career in industry?
During my fellowship in genitourinary pathology at Stanford University, I became increasingly interested in working at the forefront of diagnostic innovation – developing new therapies, contributing to clinical trials, and pushing the boundaries of what pathology could achieve. Industry seemed like the right environment to pursue those ambitions. It offered a chance to work directly on the development side of diagnostics, where discoveries could be translated into tangible benefits for patients.
Geography also played a role in my transition. Being at Stanford meant being in the heart of Silicon Valley, surrounded by biotech companies and start-ups. That proximity gave me the chance to network, learn from others already working in industry, and see firsthand how pathology expertise could be applied beyond the academic sphere.
I also recognized that an industry career would provide the breadth of collaboration I was seeking. In addition to working with other physicians, I collaborate with medical science liaisons, subject-matter experts, engineers, oncology specialists, and even sales representatives. That diversity of perspectives has been an invaluable learning experience – and it’s one of the aspects of industry work I enjoy most.
How would you describe your work in lay terms?
As a staff pathologist at Natera, I continue practicing pathology while contributing to cutting-edge diagnostic innovation. On the clinical side, I help develop and interpret advanced genetic tests based on cell-free DNA technology. This technology enables us to analyze circulating DNA to detect cancer and to monitor how it responds to treatment using molecular residual disease (MRD) testing.
Through MRD testing, we can identify early signs that a patient’s cancer may be returning – often long before any symptoms appear. That early detection can be critical in guiding timely, effective treatment decisions. Conversely, if a patient’s ctDNA demonstrates undetectable levels, they might avoid toxic treatment with significant side effects.
I also serve as a subject-matter expert within my company for patient samples, ensuring that all testing is conducted in a scientifically rigorous way. Quality is central to what we do – our goal is to generate reliable clinical results that directly inform patient care. Ultimately, this work supports better treatment planning and improved outcomes for patients.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
As a pathologist, I’m often tasked with making major diagnostic decisions for patients that can directly affect their patient care journey. That responsibility is inherently high-stakes, and it carries a certain level of stress. Accuracy is paramount; every case must be reviewed with meticulous attention to detail.
In my current work, this means examining cancer cases to identify the most relevant portions of a patient’s tumor DNA for testing. Selecting the right areas is critical, because the results can determine whether a patient continues their current treatment, scales it back, or changes course entirely. Those are profound, potentially life-altering decisions.
One way I manage the pressure is by leaning on the collaborative, multidisciplinary nature of pathology. I routinely share challenging cases with colleagues and consult with ordering physicians. These conversations give me valuable insight into the patient's disposition and help align our diagnostic impressions with the broader clinical picture. It’s a more holistic approach – going beyond the glass slide to ensure that our interpretations are informed, accurate, and ultimately in the patient’s best interest.
What’s the most rewarding aspect?
What I find most rewarding about working in industry is having access to cutting-edge technologies that are transforming how we detect and monitor cancer. One of the most powerful tools we use is circulating tumor DNA. By analyzing cell-free DNA, we can detect cancer recurrence as much as two years earlier than conventional methods.
That ability to intervene earlier in a patient’s cancer journey is incredibly meaningful. It’s also one of the main reasons I wanted to transition into industry in the first place: to work at the forefront of diagnostic innovation and have access to the most advanced technologies available.
I often think about how different things might have been for patients diagnosed 10 or 15 years ago, when this kind of technology didn’t exist. Back then, we might not have been able to detect recurrence so early – or at all. Knowing that today we can offer patients that advantage, and help their physicians make better, more timely decisions, is deeply rewarding.
Could you share a particularly memorable event in your career?
One of the most memorable experiences of my career took place during my residency, when I worked on a research project we called the pathology cancer clinic project. The idea was simple but powerful: we invited patients into the pathology department to review their pathology reports and histology slides.
Many patients came in with their reports already marked up, highlighting passages, circling terms, and adding notes in the margins. They were deeply engaged, eager to understand more about their diagnoses. When we showed them their slides, some patients commented on how beautiful the images looked – like works of art.
And then came the realization: “This is actually my cancer.” That moment of connection, when the science became personal, was incredibly powerful. It was remarkable to watch their reactions.
These were patients often facing new diagnoses, or in some cases, recurrences. Naturally, there was anxiety in the room. But the project gave them an opportunity to understand their disease on a deeper level, and in many ways, it empowered them to continue their difficult journeys with a greater sense of clarity.
At the same time, the initiative also served as a form of advocacy for the specialty of pathology. It gave patients a chance to learn what we do on a day-to-day basis and how central our role is in their care. For me, it was a career-defining reminder of the importance of connecting patients not only to their diagnosis, but also to the people behind it.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Pathology as a field is evolving rapidly, and that growth is what excites me most. The integration of digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) has been transformative, and it’s one of the main reasons I look forward to my work every day.
Take prostate cancer as an example. AI applications in this area are already capable of much more than simply detecting cancer – grading tumors using Gleason scoring, measuring tumor length on biopsy samples, and even assessing features such as perineural invasion, an important predictor of aggressiveness.
That’s just one application, but the pipeline of innovation is vast. New AI tools are being developed and refined almost daily, addressing different aspects of pathology across disease areas. The sense that the field is constantly moving forward – and that we don’t yet know the full extent of what will be possible in the near future – is incredibly exciting.
What advice would you give to those who might want to follow in your footsteps?
I recommend being involved in as many leadership and collaborative opportunities as possible – both during training and early in your career. In industry, more than ever, you are looked to as a subject-matter expert. Sometimes you may be the only pathologist in the company, or one of just a few, and your team will rely heavily on your knowledge. That means stepping into a leadership role within the diagnostic team is essential, and developing those skills early will serve you well.
Networking is equally important. It was one of the key ways I made the transition into industry, and I encourage others to actively build their networks, ask questions, and seek mentorship. If you can, try to arrange an elective or internship with an industry-based company. Experiences like that provide invaluable insight into what pathologists actually do in industry – a role that many trainees don’t have a clear picture of.
Ultimately, reaching out, asking questions, and gaining firsthand exposure will give you a much better sense of whether industry is the right fit. There are countless opportunities, and being proactive about exploring them can make all the difference in shaping your career path.
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