Thomas J. Flotte

Thomas J. Flotte, MD, is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as a Consultant in the Division of Anatomic Pathology and the Department of Dermatology, focusing on improving melanoma diagnosis and therapeutic strategies through tissue-based research.

• Education:
  • BS in Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1976)
  • MD, Albany Medical College (1976)
  • Residency and Fellowships in Pathology, Dermatopathology, and Immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital and New York University Medical Center

Dr. Flotte’s research integrates Melanoma, Advanced Microscopy, and Machine Learning to correlate histological features with patient outcomes and discover biomarkers. His work also emphasizes technology development, including Multispectral Imaging and Imaging Mass Spectrometry, to enhance diagnostic reproducibility and disease understanding.

Recent publications highlight his leadership in applying Deep Learning to anatomic pathology and advancing Neoadjuvant Therapies for melanoma. He has secured multiple grants from the National Cancer Institute for projects like the Pathology Research Core and Microscopy technologies.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Recognition Award, International Academy of Pathology (1992, 1999)
  • Outstanding Research Award, Albany Medical College (1973)

Dr. Flotte actively contributes to clinical informatics via Decision Support Systems and Provider Order Entry. He leads committees in digital pathology and biospecimen trust oversight, ensuring alignment with Mayo Clinic’s research and clinical missions.