Hi Roberto, excellent question! Many of my studies focus on the H&E appearance of diseases and their relationship to clinicopathologic factors. For me, this is both more interested and much cheaper than fancy IHC/molecular studies.
The first trick is to recognize when you struggle with something and cannot find excellent guidance in the literature about what to do. For instance, I started seeing those examples of GI injury in patients on PD1 inhibitors and realized there was no series in the pathology literature about what these cases looked like. This can extend to unusual case reports as well. If you search the literature and come up short, then it's time to contrbute to the literature yourself!
Now, sometimes you have a great case or idea but the literature does provide guidance. I have had many "great research ideas" (in my mind) deflate because someone had already studied the same thing, only better. Now, in these situations, you may still think the literature lacks some crucial information (eg, a paper did not discuss the effect of a particular finding on patient prognosis), and that can be the opening you need to still pursue a project yourself.
Original Message:
Sent: 11-22-2024 16:08
From: Roberto Jimenez-Fernandez
Subject: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Raul Gonzalez
Good afternoon Professor Raúl Gonzalez, my name is Roberto I am a final year medical student in a small city in Bolivia in South America. I started a voluntary rotation in pathology and I want to make a contribution to be a factor of change. I was feeling a bit limited because in my hospital we only have H&E in the laboratory because before I only read research on molecular markers or trials. But before asking I read your some of your papers and I found the one on PD-1 inhibitors and histological patterns in patients really impressive, as well as the one on how to conduct research as a resident. I would like to ask you for some advice on how to recognize or justify that a case report or case series is worth reporting. How I might say that something is worth reporting and what I should highlight it to contribute. I am grateful for your attetion. Thank you professor Raul González
Sincerely
Roberto Jimenez
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Roberto Jimenez-Fernandez Student
Santa Cruz BO
Original Message:
Sent: 11-20-2024 09:25
From: Raul Gonzalez
Subject: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Raul Gonzalez
Hi Mary, I am not really involved with the MD/PhD side of things, but I passed your question along to one of our MD/PhD gastrointestinal pathologists. Here is his reply:
Our PSTP offers a 3-year AP- or CP-only residency that is combined with a 1-2 year mentored research fellowship that is funded by the Department. In general, applicants come with strong research backgrounds in basic science (like yourself) and have a strong interest in generating independent research programs with mentors when they come to Emory. While some exposure to Pathology is encouraged (so that you can speak to your interest in pursuing this career), subspecialty research or clinical research in pathology is not expected nor needed in the setting of extensive prior basic science research experience.
He also suggested that you focus on whatever research approach you feel would be the most focused and productive (in terms of data and papers). You are welcome to reach out to him and discuss further if you like -- I can give you his contact information if you email me.
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Raul Gonzalez Staff Pathologist
Decatur GA
(770)773-4768
Original Message:
Sent: 11-19-2024 16:47
From: Mary Grace Murray
Subject: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Raul Gonzalez
Hi Dr. Gonzalez,
I was hoping you might be able to share some insight into what your program looks for in research track/PSTP/PSP-type applicants.
I'm a G2 MD/PhD student hoping to pursue GI path in a research track program. I find myself debating the utility of honing in on my project and a related clinical project that is not inherently path-focused (and the clincial one is not at all GI focused) vs. taking time away from those to pursue a more traditional path project.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Mary Grace
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Mary Grace Murray Student
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood IL
Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 07:50
From: Raul Gonzalez
Subject: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Raul Gonzalez
Hello everyone, happy to be here! Please feel free to ask me any questions about GI pathology. I am on service this week, so it may take me some time to respond, but I promise I will reply to every question.
Raul S. Gonzalez, MD
Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Director of the Gastrointestinal Pathology Service
Co-Director of Anatomic Pathology Research
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Raul Gonzalez Staff Pathologist
Decatur GA
(770)773-4768
Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2024 22:27
From: Savanah Gisriel
Subject: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Raul Gonzalez
Hello pathology residents & fellows,
Welcome to the second Resident Council "AMA" (Ask Me Anything) session! For this whole week (11/18-11/22), we are honored to have our celebrity pathologist guest Dr. Raul Gonzalez hosting an AMA on this Pathologists-In-Training Community. Dr. Gonzalez is a GI pathologist and the Anatomic Pathology Research Director at Emory University. He is here to answer all of your questions about GI pathology, or any related topics you are curious about.
Ask away!
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Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
UW-Madison
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