On Sept. 1, 2025, Danielle Maracaja, MD, joined Duke Pathology as an associate professor in Hematopathology. She is a board-certified anatomic and clinical Pathologist whose research focuses on the morphologic assessment of hematologic diseases. She has a special interest in translational studies involving novel markers and the investigation of reactive or neoplastic conditions in bone marrow pathology.
“I believe Duke offers an exceptional environment in which to grow as a hematopathologist, with a diverse caseload and numerous academic opportunities,” said Maracaja. “The Hematopathology Division is outstanding, and I hope to contribute as a colleague while further enhancing the prominence of the service as an academic leader. I am also very interested in mentoring trainees in Pathology.”
Maracaja was introduced to pathology as a child through shadowing her mother’s work at a clinical pathology laboratory. She attended medical school in Brazil, then went to the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) to complete her residency training in clinical pathology. Next, she obtained a Masters in Health Sciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where she concentrated in molecular studies involving the diagnosis of infections of the central nervous system. She went on to work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for four years as a clinical pathologist with primary interests in hematology before moving to the United States.
After brief gap during which she focused on her growing family, she attended the University of Texas Health San Antonio for residency training, followed by fellowships in hematopathology and transfusion medicine at Yale University. Prior to joining Duke, Maracaja practiced in both fields at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Maracaja is chair of the Society for Hematopathology’s Communication Committee. She is also part of the Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP); the Resident Advisory Subcommittee at United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP); and the USCAP Hematopathology Abstract Review Board.
Maracaja has demonstrated her passion, dedication, and persistence to her academic career in pathology. She has authored 15 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and numerous abstracts. Maracaja serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several pathology journals, including the American Journal of Dermatopathology (ADP), the American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP), British Medical Journal case reports (BMJ Case reports), Frontiers in Oncology, the Journal of Hematopathology, and others.
We are very pleased to have her join the Pathology Department and Duke.