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].
2025 Future of Pathology Award Recipients
Dr. Falone Amoa
Dr. Falone Amoa is a medical graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine. An American Board of Pathology Physician-Scientist Pathway Program (ABP PSRP) participant, Dr. Amoa has completed the core curriculum of the pathology residency training program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a UAB PhD Candidate in the cancer biology theme, working in the lab of Dr. Upender Manne. Dr. Amoa is currently preparing to move to Ghana to carry out her ABP PSRP research/dissertation year conducting cancer research as an INSIGHT fellow, funded by the NIH Fogarty International Center LAUNCH program. Dr. Amoa will subsequently complete the gastrointestinal/liver pathology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University with the incoming class of 2026. Her mission is to work toward eradication of global cancer with particular focus on the continent of Africa.
Ashlei Phillips
Ashlei Phillips is a second year medical student at the University of Houston’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine (TJFFCOM). A first generation college graduate, Ashlei earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences from Florida State University (2019) and completed The Ohio State University College of Medicine’s MEDPATH program (2023). With five years of hands on experience as a medical assistant in underserved communities, she deepened her commitment to advocating for patients who are too often overlooked.
Ashlei is the co-founder and CEO of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine (NSBWM). Under her leadership, NSBWM has grown to more than 50 chapters nationwide, offering mentorship, professional development, and a vibrant community that empowers Black women to thrive, unapologetically and authentically, throughout their medical journeys. Currently at the TJFFCOM, she serves as Vice President of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Interest Group, Secretary of the Student National Medical Association, and mentor for the Texas Joint Admission Medical Program. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ashlei frequently lends her time to community driven initiatives, demonstrating her belief that medicine and service go hand in hand.
Through these roles, she remains connected to the communities that have shaped her journey, while also nurturing her growing passion in pathology. Her long-term vision is clear: to become a pathologist who not only excels in diagnostics but also uses their platform to mentor the next generation of students, lead initiatives that address bias in medicine, and advocate for system-level change. Through service, leadership, and a genuine commitment to equity, she continues to explore how she can make a meaningful impact, both in medicine and beyond.
Ashlei is the co-founder and CEO of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine (NSBWM). Under her leadership, NSBWM has grown to more than 50 chapters nationwide, offering mentorship, professional development, and a vibrant community that empowers Black women to thrive, unapologetically and authentically, throughout their medical journeys. Currently at the TJFFCOM, she serves as Vice President of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Interest Group, Secretary of the Student National Medical Association, and mentor for the Texas Joint Admission Medical Program. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ashlei frequently lends her time to community driven initiatives, demonstrating her belief that medicine and service go hand in hand.
Through these roles, she remains connected to the communities that have shaped her journey, while also nurturing her growing passion in pathology. Her long-term vision is clear: to become a pathologist who not only excels in diagnostics but also uses their platform to mentor the next generation of students, lead initiatives that address bias in medicine, and advocate for system-level change. Through service, leadership, and a genuine commitment to equity, she continues to explore how she can make a meaningful impact, both in medicine and beyond.
Dr. damien roland
Damien Roland was born and raised in Houston, TX, and is an anatomical and clinical pathology resident physician at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is a first-generation physician in his family, and the oldest of 5 siblings, who is dedicated to diversity in the field of pathology and increasing minority representation in the field. Damien graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences and then completed a Bachelor’s of Science of Histotechnology from M.D Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. After his undergraduate studies he discovered the field of pathology working as a histotechnologist in both reference labs and hospital laboratory settings learning how pathology works behind the scenes. During this time, he also worked as an anesthesiology technician in the Operating room at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. While pursuing his goal of becoming a physician, he completed a master’s degree in Medical Sciences from Mississippi College and later went on to
graduate from Medical School at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, M.S.
Damien’s pathology interest has focused mainly on dermatopathology, and he has presented research in both oral
and poster presentation formats at various meetings including ASDP (American Society of Dermatopathology, ISDP (International Society of Dermatopathology), CAP, ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), Tri-State Pathology Conference and at NMA (National Medical Association) and the NNLM Region 2 Library Summit (National Library of Medicine). Outside of presentations, Damien has also published case reports and journal articles in the field of pathology. Damien has also explored his other interest in Forensic Pathology attending most recently the 2024 NAME Conference networking with other forensic pathology physicians as well as completing an outside rotation under the NIJ ASCP Forensic Pathology Award Grant which allowed him to rotate at the North Charleston’s Coroner’s Office
in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Outside of medicine, Damien has participated in community service and public speaking engagements in Birmingham and Shelby County schools working with underserved High School students apart of the Lifting as We Climb Non-Profit organization. Damien’s favorite job is that of a father as he continues to pour into his son Jace who has already taken a liking to the microscope. Damien is the perfect example of perseverance, hard work, and dedication as he has taken
the non-traditional route achieving his dream to become a physician and continues to make strides and break barriers in the field of pathology. As he continues to push forward in training and becoming attending physicians afterwards, Damien mindset is to remain humble, always willing to learn, and open-minded about future opportunities.
graduate from Medical School at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, M.S.
Damien’s pathology interest has focused mainly on dermatopathology, and he has presented research in both oral
and poster presentation formats at various meetings including ASDP (American Society of Dermatopathology, ISDP (International Society of Dermatopathology), CAP, ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), Tri-State Pathology Conference and at NMA (National Medical Association) and the NNLM Region 2 Library Summit (National Library of Medicine). Outside of presentations, Damien has also published case reports and journal articles in the field of pathology. Damien has also explored his other interest in Forensic Pathology attending most recently the 2024 NAME Conference networking with other forensic pathology physicians as well as completing an outside rotation under the NIJ ASCP Forensic Pathology Award Grant which allowed him to rotate at the North Charleston’s Coroner’s Office
in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Outside of medicine, Damien has participated in community service and public speaking engagements in Birmingham and Shelby County schools working with underserved High School students apart of the Lifting as We Climb Non-Profit organization. Damien’s favorite job is that of a father as he continues to pour into his son Jace who has already taken a liking to the microscope. Damien is the perfect example of perseverance, hard work, and dedication as he has taken
the non-traditional route achieving his dream to become a physician and continues to make strides and break barriers in the field of pathology. As he continues to push forward in training and becoming attending physicians afterwards, Damien mindset is to remain humble, always willing to learn, and open-minded about future opportunities.