Michael Rivera

Dr. Michael Rivera is a distinguished pathologist specializing in Anatomic Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His clinical expertise spans thyroid pathology, head and neck pathology, and cytopathology, with a particular focus on diagnostic challenges in these areas.

Dr. Rivera's educational background includes:

• MD from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (2001)
• Residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital (2005)
• Three specialized fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Surgical Pathology (2006), Cytopathology (2007), and Head and Neck Pathology (2008)

His research program is highly active, with publications spanning two decades from 2004 to 2025. Dr. Rivera has made significant contributions to understanding immune subtypes in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, molecular characterization of thyroid cancers (particularly BRAFV600E/pTERT mutations), and diagnostic approaches for rare malignancies including sarcomatoid anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and adrenal schwannomas. His work bridges basic science and clinical application, often focusing on how molecular profiles can inform diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Rivera is board certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomic & Clinical Pathology (2006) and Cytopathology (2007). His professional affiliations include long-standing membership in the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology since 2005-2006, demonstrating his commitment to the pathology community.

As a faculty member at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Dr. Rivera plays a critical role in diagnostic pathology services while contributing to the advancement of pathological understanding through his research. His expertise in challenging cases of thyroid and head and neck pathology makes him a valuable resource for both clinical diagnosis and research within the Mayo Clinic system.