Neha Seth

About Neha Seth

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in pathology is that we need to speak the language of the learner – not just throw information at them and hope it sticks. Pathology is already a complex field, combining morphology, flow cytometry, genetics, and clinical context. It’s easy for trainees to feel overwhelmed, and I’ve seen too many shy away from rotations because they think the subject is too technical or dry.

I’ve always loved hematopathology. Maybe it’s the way the cells behave, or how morphology and flow cytometry inform one another, or the fact that every case feels like a puzzle that, with patience, reveals its answers. Yet in many training programs, residents get only a few weeks of hematopathology. Some barely rotate through it at all, while others are so busy with service or board preparation that they don’t get the chance to see what makes the field special. Too often, teaching comes in the form of dense slides, dry paragraphs, and marker-heavy tables.

I believe the best way to mentor is to show learners how to approach the subject – breaking it down into steps, patterns, and stories, and meeting them where they are. One of my most rewarding teaching moments came when I was asked to present on post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a topic many find confusing. Instead of overwhelming residents with references and statistics, I built a story that connected morphology, immunophenotyping, and clinical relevance. Afterward, residents told me they had taken screenshots of every slide and that it “finally made sense.” That’s the kind of feedback that fuels me.

Through my #HemeGems – visual storytelling, quick sketches, and color-coded illustrations – I try to make even the most complicated hematopathology cases approachable. When someone says, “I thought I didn’t get it, but now I do,” the effort feels worthwhile.

Whenever I prepare a presentation, I make sure it covers the basics as well as advanced details. I want residents to feel included and confident, and I want attendings to feel their time is well spent. That balance matters – because everyone deserves to walk away having learned something.

For me, mentorship is about sharing not just knowledge but also the excitement and wonder of the field. Every case, every #HemeGems, every conversation is a chance to remind trainees that pathology isn’t just data – it’s stories, it’s puzzles, it’s answers. And it’s worth exploring together.