Rish K Pai

Rish K Pai, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, with subspecialty expertise in gastrointestinal and hepatic pathology. He serves as Associate Chair of Research for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2020-2023) and was President of the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society (2020-2021).

Dr. Pai's educational background includes an MD/PhD in Immunology from Case Western Reserve University (2005), followed by residency and fellowship training in Anatomic Pathology and Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Pathology at The University of Chicago Medical Center. His clinical expertise focuses on diagnosis of inflammatory disorders and neoplastic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

His research interests span gastrointestinal pathology, liver pathology, colorectal cancer genetics, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver transplant pathology. Dr. Pai lectures nationally and internationally on gastrointestinal and hepatic pathology and has directed multiple continuing medical education courses in these areas. He serves as principal investigator of the Colon Cancer Family Registry at Mayo Clinic.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on colorectal cancer genetics, molecular pathology of gastrointestinal disorders, and translational applications of pathological findings to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. His work frequently employs advanced genomic and epidemiological methods including Mendelian randomization and genome-wide association studies.

• Jack Yardley Investigator Award, Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society (2019)
• Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society Resident Award (2009)
• Hans Popper Hepatopathology Society Resident Award (2007)
• Martin Wahl Memorial Fund Award (2005)

Dr. Pai has held significant leadership roles including Chair of the Education Committee for the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society (2017-2018) and Member of the Education Committee for the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (2016-2020). He has also contributed to digital pathology initiatives as a member of the Digital Pathology Practice Subcommittee and the Artificial Intelligence Strategy Working Group at Mayo Clinic.