Aziza Nassar

Aziza Nassar, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FACHE, is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She specializes in breast pathology, computational pathology, and cytopathology, with a focus on biomarker discovery and vaccine therapies for breast cancer. Her leadership roles include President of the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology and Chair of Mayo Clinic's Digital Pathology Executive Committee.

Education:

• M.B.B.S. (Medicine), University of Khartoum
• M.P.H. (Epidemiology/Biostatistics), George Washington University
• M.B.A. (General Business), Northcentral University
• Fellowships in Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology

Research Interests:

Dr. Nassar's work centers on breast cancer risk prediction using benign lesions, tumor immune response mechanisms, and cervical cancer epidemiology. She pioneered biomarker studies in sclerosing adenosis and discovered Ki-67's role in predicting breast cancer risk. Her lab integrates AI into diagnostic workflows and explores FISH applications in non-gynecologic specimens.

Publications & Grants:

Over 150 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. Key grants include a Phase I clinical trial for HER2 vaccines in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and trials on folate receptor alpha vaccines for triple-negative breast cancer.

Awards & Leadership:

• 2024 Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
• 2023 Distinguished Clinician Award (Mayo Clinic)
• 2012 International Society of Breast Pathology Award

She chairs national committees on cytopathology education and digital pathology standards.

Labs & Teams:

Leads the Mayo Clinic Cytopathology Fellowship Program and the Digital Pathology Program. Collaborates with global organizations like the International Academy of Cytology and European Congress of Cytology.