Melissa Upton

About Melissa Upton

“My greatest influences were my parents, who instilled in me my conviction that access to education is the most powerful tool for good,” says Melissa, Professor Emeritus and Associate Director of the Pathology Residency Program at the University of Washington. Currently President of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), she has been responsible for launching crucial conversations and initiatives in the ASCP to enhance diversity, create inclusive workplaces, and empower the leadership potential of pathologists and laboratory professionals around the world. Why does she love pathology? “As an academic pathologist, not only do I enjoy helping patients to get the correct diagnosis, allowing them to get appropriate care, but I also love working with medical students, residents, and fellows in pathology. There is nothing more satisfying than helping them to gain insight into themselves to maximize their potential.”