The Duke Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) Fellowship Program provides postdoctoral fellows with either a PhD or MD with training experience in the Duke Cytogenetics and Duke Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories. The two laboratories share a common laboratory space on the main campus of Duke Hospital, with faculty leadership boarded by the ABMGG in both cytogenetics and molecular genetics.  In order to fully integrate the testing of both laboratories, the fellowship is split into focus blocks of constitutional/germline testing, hematologic malignancy testing, and solid tumor testing during which the intent is to learn how both cytogenetic and molecular techniques are employed to answer clinical questions. The LGG fellows will gain experience in a wide range of laboratory techniques, including:

  • Chromosome analysis (prenatal, postnatal, bone marrow)
  • FISH (constitutional, hematologic malignancy, solid tumor)
  • Microarray analysis
  • NGS and Sanger sequencing (hematologic malignancy, solid tumor, and constitutional)
  • Methylation assays (PWS/AS, MLH1 promoter)
  • Carrier screening (cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, SMA, Fragile X, etc.)
  • qPCR (BCR/ABL1 quantification, somatic mutation detection)
  • Somatic mutations and aberrations (MSI, T– and B–cell clonality, IGH somatic mutation, etc.)
  • Bone marrow engraftment analysis via STR profiling

The laboratory trainees will also perform rotations within various medical genetics clinics (e.g. general medical genetics clinic, Down syndrome clinic, exome clinic, metabolic clinic), as well as prenatal and hereditary cancer clinics. LGG trainees will also rotate in the Duke Biochemical Genetics laboratory. There are opportunities to visit other Duke laboratories such as flow cytometry, microbiology, and image cytometry. The majority of the trainee’s time will be spent in the integrated Duke Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories.

In addition to gaining experience in the fields of cytogenetics and molecular genetics, fellows will participate in new test development and validation, as well as the ongoing quality improvement initiatives. Fellows will also gain experience in the laboratory inspection process, and are expected to become familiar with the requirements of regulatory and licensing agencies such as CAP and CLIA. Laboratory fellows may also attend national conferences and participate in clinical research.

Program Overview

  • Positions offered per year: One
  • Current number of fellows: Two
  • Program duration: Two years
  • Accrediting body: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

How to Apply

We anticipate one fellowship position opening per year. We encourage you to apply during the application window.

To apply, please submit your CV, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation to Program Director Kristen Deak.

Applications should be submitted between September and October of the prior year to the desired start date. Individuals typically begin their fellowship in July. 

All applications are considered without regard to race, religion, gender, or national origin.

Stipends

Commensurate with the year of postgraduate training.

Eligibility Requirements

Selective Service System Registration:

  • All male applicants (as determined by gender assigned at birth for purposes of this requirement) who are US citizens or immigrants must have registered with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday, or arrival date into the USA.  Individuals are eligible to register until the age of 26.  Failure to register is a violation of federal law, and can face significant penalties, including loss of eligibility for citizenship for immigrants.  Individuals who have not registered are not eligible for a variety of benefits including federal student aid, federal job training, and any job in the Executive Branch of the government (e.g. VA, Medicare, federal prisons), and are not allowed to work in federal facilities even as a resident or fellow.
  • Most Duke GME programs require rotations at federal facilities such as VA hospitals or prisons.  All trainees in those programs must be eligible to work at those facilities.  All applicants should ensure that they have registered for the Selective Service System if appropriate.  If they have not registered, they should discuss this with their potential program director. Additional details can be found at https://www.sss.gov.

Program Director

Kristen Deak, PhD, FACMG
Program Director, Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship
Associate Director, Molecular Pathology, Genetics and Genomics
Assistant Professor of Pathology
2531 Erwin Road
Wadsworth Bldg, Room 0213
Durham, NC 27705
Email

Brittany Harris
Program Coordinator
Department of Pathology
Duke University Medical Center
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Current Fellows

Ludmila Francescatto, PhD

Ludmila Francescatto, PhD
Laboratory Genetics and Genomics
Virginia Commonwealth University School Of Medicine
Email 

Eric Miller, PhD

Eric Miller, PhD
Laboratory Genetics and Genomics
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Email