Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Welcome to the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology serves as an academic Centre of Excellence in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pathology, Environmental Health Sciences and Toxicology through excellence in education, research, and clinical service delivery in partnership with Alberta Precision Laboratories. The Department is made up of seven divisions and numerous specialty training programs. We offer five residency training programs, six MD fellowship programs, four clinical PhD fellowship programs, a graduate studies program that also includes a Pathologists' Assistant Program, and a Medical Laboratory Science Undergraduate Program.
Programs + Education
Undergraduate Program - Medical Laboratory Science
Through the Division of Medical Laboratory Science, the Department offers a four-year professional degree program, in which students acquire General Certification from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS).
Graduate Program
In our Graduate Program, students complete graduate courses and a research-based thesis, leading to an MSc or PhD in Medical Sciences. Because of the department's diverse research activities, students can pursue clinically focused research, translational research, or applied science research. We also offer a professional MSc degree program, the Pathologists' Assistant Program.
Postgraduate Medical Education - Residency Programs
We offer five accredited residency training programs (Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology, Diagnostic & Clinical Pathology, Forensic Pathology, Hematological Pathology, and Medical Microbiology). Trainees rotate through facilities throughout Edmonton, gaining wide exposure to all types of practices, and to the full breadth and volume of cases in the region.
Events
April 25-26, 2025
DRIvE Days
During DRIvE days, we share our translational research and innovation with all individuals interested in Laboratory Services, Pathology and Diagnostics. In addition, numerous educational sessions and lectures presenting state-of-the-art knowledge in laboratory services is provided for Medical Laboratory Technologists, Laboratory Scientists, Laboratory Management, Physicians, and Trainees from across Alberta.
September 24-27, 2025
Banff Pathology Course
The Banff Pathology Course is a collaborative effort of the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP), Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary to provide a continuing medical education activity for practicing pathologists, residents and pathologists' assistants.
-
Collaborative Clinical Services
The department collaborates with various hospitals and institutions, including the Royal Alexandra, Misericordia and Grey Nuns Hospitals, and the Cross Cancer Institute. This collaboration provides clinical laboratory services across a broad range of disciplines, playing a crucial role in patient care and diagnostics throughout Alberta.
-
Diverse Research Initiatives
The department is engaged in a wide array of research activities in fields like toxicology, immunology, microbiology, cancer, and cryobiology. This multidisciplinary work involves collaboration across various departments, demonstrating an innovative and inclusive research approach.
-
Dynamic Career Paths
There are many career opportunities through comprehensive training in specialties like Hematology, Microbiology, and various Pathology subspecialties, leading to roles in both clinical practice and cutting-edge research.
Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, a hub of excellence in clinical laboratory service, education, and research. Our team, comprising laboratory professionals, faculty, students, residents, post-doctoral fellows, and staff, drives innovation and excellence.
Our four-year BSc in Medical Laboratory Science program enables students to earn General Certification from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Our vibrant graduate program supports over 40 students in diverse areas of basic science and translational research, and supports collaborations across departments. Several residency and fellowship programs in our Department also provide professional trainees with broad exposure to laboratory practices.
Our research is globally acclaimed and covers a broad spectrum of interests including transplantation, environmental toxicology, the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, molecular mechanisms of cancer, cryobiology, and tissue preservation. We recognize the importance of inter-disciplinary research, and new technological developments have led to many partnerships, including with the National Institute for Nanotechnology, Computing Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Public Health Sciences.
Discover more about our programs, research, and the people who make our department a leader in its field.
Dr. Benjamin Adam
Associate Professor & Chair
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta
News
Congratulations to Dr. Jason Acker who has been elected as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) for 2023. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future well-being of the health sciences irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline. “Becoming a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences recognizes Fellows’ dedication to health sciences,” says Dr. Marie-France Raynault, President, CAHS. Read more about Dr. Acker's achievement »