Fellows from the Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, come from medical schools around the U.S. and outside the country. Meet one of our fellows and learn about their experience and our program.

Rosalie Sterner, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical school: Medical Scientist Training Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Residency: Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Background: Dr. Rosalie Sterner is originally from Iowa. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program. She did an intern year at Mayo Clinic. She enjoys research, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her dog. 

Why did you chose Mayo Clinic for your fellowship? I am excited by the opportunity to pursue advanced training in Molecular Genetics Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Molecular Genetics Pathology is a natural fit for my career goals because it sits at the intersection of diagnostic medicine, scientific discovery, and rapidly evolving technology. I am drawn to the field’s ability to translate complex molecular insights into clinically meaningful information that can directly guide diagnosis, prognosis, and patient care. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to deepen my understanding of genomic and molecular mechanisms of disease and to apply that knowledge in ways that support precision medicine. Mayo Clinic is especially compelling to me because it offers the ideal environment in which to pursue those goals. The institution’s commitment to patient care, research, and education creates a training experience that is both rigorous and deeply meaningful. The atmosphere is highly collegial and supportive with people who are wonderful to work with and are experts in their fields. This coupled with the robust and diverse molecular technologies available at Mayo Clinic make pursuing an MGP fellowship particularly attractive here.

Joel Morales Rosado, M.D.

Medical school: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Background: Dr. Morales-Rosado was born and raised in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, and earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, where he focused on studying rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases and developing scalable genomic variant interpretation tools for population screening initiatives. He then went on to complete an anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. In his spare time, he enjoys movies, science fiction literature, working out, and exploring new music and art.

Why did you chose Mayo Clinic for your fellowship? I chose Mayo Clinic for fellowship training because the Division of Laboratory Genetics and Genomics uniquely blends the breadth of a high-volume reference laboratory with the rigor of a leading academic institution. Its unmatched test catalogue, advanced technologies, and innovative analytics provide an ideal foundation for clinical training and invaluable for any future practice. What impressed me most was the faculty and staff’s genuine enthusiasm, commitment to education, and dedication to continuous improvement, all within a training environment that is both structured and adaptable to each trainee’s interests.

Mayo Fellows Association (MFA)

The Mayo Fellows Association (MFA) offers a peer and social support network for residents and fellows and their families with social events, athletics, and advocacy. The MFA also holds an annual resident and fellow appreciation event open to all trainees with complimentary massages, stress-reducing activities, and social support.