what is the NMA Future of Pathology Award?
The Future of Pathology Award was established in 2020 with the goal to recognize and reward minority students and trainees who have a special interest in the field of Pathology. Applicants may be students ranging from the high school and college levels to medical school, as well as residents and fellows who are underrepresented in the field of medicine.
Submit your resume and statement to [email protected].
Submit your resume and statement to [email protected].
2026 Future of Pathology Award Recipients
Dr. Homayemem weli
Homayemem Weli, MD, MSc, PhD, FCAP, also known as ‘Homa’ is a Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking Fellow at the University of Virginia Health whose career has spanned Africa, Europe, and North America. Originally from Nigeria, her experiences across diverse healthcare systems have shaped a commitment to advancing equitable, patient-centered laboratory medicine through clinical excellence, research, education, and mentorship.
Dr. Weli completed Clinical Pathology residency at Washington University in St. Louis after earning a master’s degree and PhD in Cell and Tissue Engineering in the United Kingdom. Her scholarly interests include transfusion safety, therapeutic apheresis, patient blood management, laboratory quality, and improving transfusion care for patients with sickle cell disease and other underserved populations. Her work has been recognized with honors including the AABB Top Poster Award and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Leadership Development Award.
A passionate educator and advocate, Dr. Weli co-founded #Blooducation101, a global transfusion medicine mentorship initiative dedicated to expanding education and fostering collaboration across continents. Through research, professional service, and mentorship, she is committed to advancing innovation, representation, and excellence in pathology. Following fellowship, she will join the faculty at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she will continue advancing transfusion medicine while mentoring the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Weli completed Clinical Pathology residency at Washington University in St. Louis after earning a master’s degree and PhD in Cell and Tissue Engineering in the United Kingdom. Her scholarly interests include transfusion safety, therapeutic apheresis, patient blood management, laboratory quality, and improving transfusion care for patients with sickle cell disease and other underserved populations. Her work has been recognized with honors including the AABB Top Poster Award and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Leadership Development Award.
A passionate educator and advocate, Dr. Weli co-founded #Blooducation101, a global transfusion medicine mentorship initiative dedicated to expanding education and fostering collaboration across continents. Through research, professional service, and mentorship, she is committed to advancing innovation, representation, and excellence in pathology. Following fellowship, she will join the faculty at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she will continue advancing transfusion medicine while mentoring the next generation of physicians.
Lori-ann smith
Lori-Ann Smith is a medical student at All American Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS). She is a native of Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, with a lifelong passion for forensic pathology. Her interest in the field began at the age of 12 after attending countless funerals with her grandmother. Curiosity led her to view the bodies in the casket, ask numerous questions about the cause of death and seek out the stories behind each life lost. These experiences would later define her purpose: to become a forensic pathologist dedicated to uncovering the truth while serving justice with compassion, integrity, and respect for the deceased and their families.
As Jamaica continues to face a significant shortage of forensic pathologists, Lori-Ann is committed to use her knowledge and skills to help strengthen the field of forensic pathology in her beloved country. While she is passionate about serving Jamaica, she also embraces opportunities to make meaningful impact in the United States of America and abroad. She aspires to advance forensic medicine and provide closure to families during some of life’s most difficult moments. Lori-Ann’s passion to fulfill her dream was further shaped through her work at Honeyghan’s Funeral Home in Jamaica, where she worked as a morgue assistant for 2 years before beginning medical school in 2018. There, she was first exposed to postmortem care. Further strengthening her commitment to forensic pathology, Lori-Ann completed a two-week observership at the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (DC OCME), where she gained valuable insight into the practice of forensic pathology. She also attended the 2024 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Conference, expanding her knowledge through exposure to current research, emerging technologies, and leading experts in the field. Lori-Ann is also a proud member of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and recently became a student member of National Medical Association (NMA), reflecting her dedication to continued professional development and excellence in forensic medicine.
Beyond her medical pursuits, Lori-Ann is the author of Journal to My Audacious Goals: The Vision Board Guide, a resource designed to inspire others to dream boldly, set meaningful goals, and pursue them with intention. Published in January 2025, the book is available on Amazon and Beacons, providing practical tools and encouragement for individuals committed to personal growth and purposeful living.
Lori-Ann’s journey is defined by resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and service. Outside of medicine, Lori-Ann enjoys watching sunsets, dancing, and embracing opportunities for personal growth. She is inspired by the words of baseball legend Babe Ruth: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” This quote reflects her belief in facing challenges with courage, embracing every setback as an opportunity to learn, and remaining steadfast in the pursuit of purpose.
As Jamaica continues to face a significant shortage of forensic pathologists, Lori-Ann is committed to use her knowledge and skills to help strengthen the field of forensic pathology in her beloved country. While she is passionate about serving Jamaica, she also embraces opportunities to make meaningful impact in the United States of America and abroad. She aspires to advance forensic medicine and provide closure to families during some of life’s most difficult moments. Lori-Ann’s passion to fulfill her dream was further shaped through her work at Honeyghan’s Funeral Home in Jamaica, where she worked as a morgue assistant for 2 years before beginning medical school in 2018. There, she was first exposed to postmortem care. Further strengthening her commitment to forensic pathology, Lori-Ann completed a two-week observership at the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (DC OCME), where she gained valuable insight into the practice of forensic pathology. She also attended the 2024 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Conference, expanding her knowledge through exposure to current research, emerging technologies, and leading experts in the field. Lori-Ann is also a proud member of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and recently became a student member of National Medical Association (NMA), reflecting her dedication to continued professional development and excellence in forensic medicine.
Beyond her medical pursuits, Lori-Ann is the author of Journal to My Audacious Goals: The Vision Board Guide, a resource designed to inspire others to dream boldly, set meaningful goals, and pursue them with intention. Published in January 2025, the book is available on Amazon and Beacons, providing practical tools and encouragement for individuals committed to personal growth and purposeful living.
Lori-Ann’s journey is defined by resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and service. Outside of medicine, Lori-Ann enjoys watching sunsets, dancing, and embracing opportunities for personal growth. She is inspired by the words of baseball legend Babe Ruth: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” This quote reflects her belief in facing challenges with courage, embracing every setback as an opportunity to learn, and remaining steadfast in the pursuit of purpose.
Dr. Aranza Pinedo
Dr. Aranza Pinedo is a Nephropathology Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Mass General Brigham, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and former Anatomic and Clinical Pathology resident at the University of Iowa. Born and raised in a small town in Lima, Peru, she is the first physician in her family. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC). Driven by a longstanding passion for medical education and research; she subsequently earned a Master’s in Education from Universidad Tecnologica del Peru and a Master’s in Medicine with a focus on clinical research from Universidad de San Martin de Porres.
Before residency, Dr. Pinedo served as an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Pre-Clinical Sciences at UPC, where she was recognized for innovative teaching and impactful mentorship. During her residency at the University of Iowa, she also served as a teaching assistant and mentor at the Carver College of Medicine and received the 2025 Resident of the Year Award, selected across all residency programs at University of Iowa Health Care in recognition of her dedication to education and mentorship.
Dr. Pinedo has also distinguished herself as a researcher with multiple first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national scientific meetings, a mentor to more than 50 students and aspiring pathologists from the United Stated and abroad - many of whom are now pathology residents- and an emerging leader in the field. She was honored with the 2025 College of American Pathologists Foundation Leadership Award and has remained deeply engaged in advocacy initiatives that advance the visibility and impact of pathology through both in-person and digital platforms. Her service includes active involvement with organizations such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), the Latin American Pathology Foundation (LAPF), MatchtoPath, and the American Association of Peruvian Physicians (AAPP) where she serves a leader dedicated to fostering professional development and building a continuous chain of support for medical students and physicians.
After completing her Renal Pathology Fellowship, Dr. Pinedo will pursue a Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She aspires to a career in academic pathology and is committed to raising awareness of the essential role of pathology among the medical community and patients, advancing medical and pathology education, promoting greater multicultural representation within the specialty, and creating opportunities to support, mentor, and inspire the next generation of pathologists.
Before residency, Dr. Pinedo served as an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Pre-Clinical Sciences at UPC, where she was recognized for innovative teaching and impactful mentorship. During her residency at the University of Iowa, she also served as a teaching assistant and mentor at the Carver College of Medicine and received the 2025 Resident of the Year Award, selected across all residency programs at University of Iowa Health Care in recognition of her dedication to education and mentorship.
Dr. Pinedo has also distinguished herself as a researcher with multiple first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national scientific meetings, a mentor to more than 50 students and aspiring pathologists from the United Stated and abroad - many of whom are now pathology residents- and an emerging leader in the field. She was honored with the 2025 College of American Pathologists Foundation Leadership Award and has remained deeply engaged in advocacy initiatives that advance the visibility and impact of pathology through both in-person and digital platforms. Her service includes active involvement with organizations such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), the Latin American Pathology Foundation (LAPF), MatchtoPath, and the American Association of Peruvian Physicians (AAPP) where she serves a leader dedicated to fostering professional development and building a continuous chain of support for medical students and physicians.
After completing her Renal Pathology Fellowship, Dr. Pinedo will pursue a Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She aspires to a career in academic pathology and is committed to raising awareness of the essential role of pathology among the medical community and patients, advancing medical and pathology education, promoting greater multicultural representation within the specialty, and creating opportunities to support, mentor, and inspire the next generation of pathologists.