Prof. Dr. Phyu Aung is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Pathology (Dermatopathology Section) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UT-MDACC). She earned her Medical Degree from the Institute of Medicine, Rangoon, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology from Hiroshima University, Japan. Dr. Aung completed her residency at the National Cancer Institute/NIH and a fellowship in Dermatopathology at Boston Medical Center. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications, ten book chapters, and eight research grants, she is a leading expert in cancer biology, melanocytic neoplasms, and Merkel cell carcinoma. An executive member of multiple pathology societies and a frequent invited speaker, Dr. Aung also serves as the Director of the Oncologic Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program, mentoring over 100 national and international trainees.
Education:
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Institution: Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon, Myanmar
Duration: 1995 – 2002
Degree: MBBS (MD)
Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology
Institution: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
Duration: 2003 – 2006
Degree: Ph.D. (Molecular Pathology)
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Institution: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Duration: 2006 – 2009
Field: Research in Molecular Pathology
Pathology Residency
Institution: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
Duration: 2009 – 2012
Specialization: Anatomic Pathology / Laboratory of Pathology
Dermatopathology Fellowship
Institution: Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Duration: 2012 – 2014
Specialization: Dermatopathology
Professional Profiles:
ORCID Profile
Google Scholar
Professional Experience:
Professor, Pathology (Sep 2024–Present)
Serving as a senior faculty member at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, contributing to research, diagnostics, and medical education in pathology.
Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program (Jul 2019–Present)
Leading the Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program, overseeing training, curriculum development, and mentorship.
Associate Professor, Pathology (Sep 2019–Aug 2024)
Conducted research in pathology, particularly focusing on cancer diagnostics and histopathology.
Assistant Professor, Pathology (Jul 2014–Aug 2019)
Contributed to pathology education, clinical diagnostics, and research at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Associate Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program (Jul 2018–Jun 2019)
Assisted in managing the Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program, ensuring high-quality training for future pathologists.
Top Notable Publications:
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosing Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN): Practical Recommendations and Insights from Countries of the Gulf Cooperation
Authors: N Bakshi, A Al Hejazi, H Al-Maghraby, A Al Mugairi, AS Alotaibi, et al.
Journal: Cancers 17 (2), 221, 2025
Genomic and Transcriptomic Profiling of Digital Papillary Adenocarcinomas Reveals Alterations in Matrix Remodeling and Metabolic Genes
Authors: EC Bayraktar, PP Aung, P Gill, G Shen, V Vasudevaraja, Z Lai, et al.
Journal: Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, 2025
Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum-Like Features in Poroma: An Unusual Morphologic Pattern of Poroma or True Synchronous Occurrence of 2 Distinct Neoplasms?
Authors: M Alsawas, FF Muhaj, PP Aung, P Nagarajan, WC Cho
Journal: The American Journal of Dermatopathology 46 (12), 871-874, 2024
Dual PD-L1/SOX10 Immunohistochemistry Combined With Digital Imaging Enhances Stratification Accuracy of Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: J Pineda-Reyes, SK Arudra, PP Aung, P Nagarajan, JL Curry, M Tetzlaff, et al.
Journal: The American Journal of Surgical Pathology 48 (12), 1551-1556, 2024
Approach to Mycosis Fungoides in Children: Consensus-Based Recommendations
Authors: A Zvulunov, H Neale, J Stern, P Santaguida, AB Stein, M Koh, et al.
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 91 (6), 1078-1085, 2024
Recommended Guidelines for Screening for Underlying Malignancy in Extramammary Paget’s Disease Based on Anatomic Subtype
Authors: N Kibbi, JL Owen, B Worley, M Alam, JX Wang, V Harikumar, et al.
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2024
MTAP and p16 IHC as Markers for CDKN2A/B Loss in Meningiomas
Authors: HI Ozkizilkaya, A Vinocha, A Dono, OB Ogunbona, GA Toruner, PP Aung, et al.
Journal: Cancers 16 (19), 3299, 2024
Utility of Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Metastatic Melanoma: A Case Report
Authors: S Turcios Escobar, R Yang, KC Nelson, JE Gershenwald, H Tawbi, et al.
Journal: Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 51 (9), 644-648, 2024
The Secret Life of Junior Pathologists: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: DH Kwon, M Taherian, DR Milton, P Iaeger, K Chin, PP Aung
Journal: Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 148 (7), 836-845, 2024
Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma: The Detection of Low-Risk Human Papillomaviruses and the BRAF p.V600E Mutation in a Subset of Cases
Authors: F Chen, P Nagarajan, PP Aung
Journal: Dermatopathology 11 (3), 177-183, 2024
Conclusion:
Prof. Dr. Phyu Aung stands out as a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. Her significant contributions to cancer research, her leadership in advancing clinical applications, and her global impact make her a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition. Her work continues to shape the future of oncology, improving patient outcomes and influencing cancer research worldwide. Therefore, Prof. Dr. Phyu Aung’s research excellence and broad-reaching impact make her an outstanding nominee for this award.