Aziza Nassar, M.D., MPH, MBA

Dr. Nassar earned her MBBS from the University of Khartoum and completed residency training in Pathology at George Washington University Hospital, serving as chief resident from 1999-2000. She completed a fellowship in Surgical Pathology at George Washington University Hospital from 2000-2001 followed by a fellowship in Cytopathology at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital from 2001-2002. Dr. Nassar is a distinguished expert in breast pathology, cytopathology, and gynecologic pathology. Her diverse interests include breast pathology, digital/computational pathology, and cytopathology, encompassing fine-needle aspiration, head and neck cytology, and cervicovaginal Pap tests. Dr. Nassar is a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and has served as the Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine since September 2018 to September 2025 at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Nassar has an extensive publication record, with over 150 articles and book chapters in leading oncology and pathology journals. She actively participates in national and international committees and editorial boards dedicated to advancing the fields of pathology and medical oncology. Currently, she collaborates with multiple research groups on projects involving biomarker discovery and vaccine therapies for breast cancer. She has also contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in breast cancer, particularly in the development of biomarkers. A passionate educator, Dr. Nassar established the cytopathology fellowship program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in 2009 and initiated a residency program at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, in 2024. As a renowned mentor, she has guided numerous trainees, including pathology and medical residents, surgical pathology and cytopathology fellows, medical students, and individuals from underrepresented minorities. Her commitment to fostering diversity in medicine aims to inspire and recruit more underrepresented individuals into the medical field.