Rama Gullapalli

About Rama Gullapalli

I firmly believe that pathology, at its core, is an information management specialty within healthcare. I first had this realization in 2001, at age 26, when I came to the United States to pursue a PhD in Immunology at Penn State. Finding immunology less rewarding from a data perspective, I shifted to engineering, earning a master’s in optical engineering and a PhD in bioengineering. The idea I carried back then – that healthcare could benefit from a more quantitative approach – has paid off immensely.

The last decade has been revolutionary for pathology and healthcare. Each month brings powerful new automation tools to enhance pathologists’ workflows. Yet many residents and practitioners still feel uncertain – or even intimidated – about where to begin.

Now in the middle phase of my career, I feel a responsibility to share the same enthusiasm for automation and data analytics that first inspired me. The opportunities are vast, but they will only materialize if pathologists actively embrace the innovations spreading across the specialty. As a board-certified molecular pathologist and pathology informaticist, I incorporate innovation into both my clinical and research work every day.

My research lab is developing novel optical techniques – such as polarization wave microscopy, multispectral imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and Raman spectroscopy – to increase the information captured from pathology slides and provide deeper insights into human disease. I am also active in the Digital Pathology Association’s education committee, where I contribute to initiatives raising awareness about the role of AI in pathology. Teaching residents about new developments and encouraging them to think beyond traditional boundaries is a priority for me.

One of the greatest challenges with AI in healthcare is the lack of physician involvement in its development. Too often, computational algorithms remain “black boxes” to clinicians. I strongly believe pathologists must participate in the conceptualization, design, and ethical implementation of AI tools. As end-users, we are responsible for guiding how these technologies are applied in clinical practice. I have co-authored multiple publications on these issues and served on the College of American Pathologists’ AI Ethics Workgroup.

While you do not need dual training in engineering and pathology to enter the AI space, an open mind and a willingness to learn are essential. This is the attitude I seek to instill in my mentees through educational innovation. I remain confident that the future of pathology is bright – but only if we, as a specialty, embrace these changes and take the lead in shaping them for the 21st century and beyond.