Spotlight: Rising stars in cytology

Abstract

It is our pleasure to consider Pasquale Pisapia, MD, PhD, a rising star in cytopathology. Dr Pisapia earned his medical degree in 2015 and completed his residency in anatomic pathology, a fellowship in cytopathology and molecular cytopathology in 2019, and a doctorate (PhD) in Public Health and Preventive Medicine in 2023 at the University of Naples Federico II—all of them summa cum laude. During his residency, he served as chief resident for 2 years. He is currently an assistant professor of anatomic pathology, a member of the board of the School of Medicine and Surgery, and a cytopathologist at the University of Naples Federico II.

Dr Pisapia’s accomplishments began early in his training as he developed interests in cytopathology and molecular cytopathology. Despite being at the beginning of his career, Dr Pisapia has authored more than 100 publications (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=pisapia+p) with h-index of 28 (according to Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56479260300) and 32 (according to Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=V92GpN0AAAAJ&hl=it). His research activity has a particular focus on the development, validation, and implementation of molecular techniques, particularly next-generation sequencing, of predictive and prognostic biomarkers in solid tumors (both histological and cytological tissue) and liquid biopsy specimens. He has been an invited speaker and chair at several national and international conferences. He received an award in memory of Professor Maurizio Spinelli for the work entitled “Cell Free DNA Analysis by SIRE® Next Generation Sequencing Panel in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Focus on Basal Setting” and the 1st Best Oral Presentation Award for the work entitled “Evaluation of the Molecular Landscape in PD-L1 Positive Metastatic NSCLC: Data from Campania, Italy” at the Annual Congress of the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Cytopathology in 2017 and 2023, respectively.

In addition to his strong academic record, Dr Pisapia has established himself to be a strong diagnostician as a cytopathologist. In particular, he performed by himself, as an interventional cytopathologist, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid, breast, lymph node, salivary gland, and small tissue nodules at the FNA clinic of the Department of Public Health of the University of Naples Federico II and computed tomography–guided or endoscopic ultrasound–guided FNA of lung and pancreas nodules in collaboration with interventional radiologists and surgeons of the same institution. He is engaged in teaching trainees, residents, and peers. He has been appointed an editorial board member for several titles, including Journal of Molecular Pathology, BMC Cancer, Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, and Heliyon.

We are certain that Dr Pisapia has a very bright future waiting for him in the world of cytopathology, some of which he has started to realize even in his early-practice period. We are honored to present him as a rising star in cytology, and we are excited to see his career soar high.

—Giancarlo Troncone, MD, PhD, Claudio Bellevicine, MD, PhD, and Elena Vigliar, MD, PhD