Meet our IAC President Fernando Schmitt

Recently, our IAC President Fernando Schmitt gave an interview to the magazine The Pathologists. In this inspiring interview, he talks about his career and duties in his various roles, including his position as our president. In addition, he gives some advice for aspiring hybrid pathology-cytology students.

Fernando Schmitt has an MD degree from the Medical Faculty of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, and completed his pathology training and PhD at the Medical Faculty of Botucatu. He has held academic positions at the University of São Paulo, University of Toronto, and Karolinska Medical Hospital. He also served as Director of the Department of Medicine at the Laboratoire National de Santé in Luxembourg.

Professor Schmitt has multiple roles: Professor of Pathology at the University of Porto, Director of RISE (Clinical and Translational Research Network), and Head of Molecular Pathology at IPATIMUP. Alongside this, Fernando Schmitt is currently President of the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) before that he was IAC Secretary-Treasurer from 2010-2022 and amongst his other many activities, he previously led the International Society of Breast Pathology and remains the Editor-in-Chief of Pathobiology, serving on several editorial boards, including the WHO-IAC Classification of Tumors.

His achievements as IAC President:

Digitalisation of the IAC Exam

As IAC president, Fernando Schmitt and the IAC Board of Directors initiated the digitalisation of the IAC International Board of Cytotechnology and Cytotechnologist exams. Onsite at the examination sites, no more microscopes are required. The participants work onsite on their own devices.

The IAC Foundation

The IAC Foundation was established to fund scholarships for residents and young specialists, supporting their attendance at conferences and training in accredited centres.

IAC-IARC-WHO Reporting Systems for Cytopathology

A partnership was established with the IARC-WHO, publishing WHO Reporting Systems for Cytopathology books, globalising cytopathology to the level of surgical pathology. So far, three volumes have been published: lung, pancreas and lymph node, spleen, and thymus.

Research Corner

We are about to launch the IAC Research Corner to promote the next generation of cytologists and cytopathologists and to foster research. Stay tuned for more.

Advanced Training Center Program

We have developed an IAC-Advanced trainee program (IAC-ATP) to support education in highly specialized areas in the field of cytopathology. The program’s objective is to train young cytopathologists and residents in the final year to get in-depth experience in Cytopathology at selected training centers (IAC Advanced Training Centers) as well as to disseminate gained knowledge to peers in the cytopathology community.

His advice for surgical pathology and cytology students

“I’d advise the next generation to embrace the strength of both fields. Pathology and cytology are interconnected and, together, provide a comprehensive understanding of disease processes. […] No matter your background, university, or country, a successful international academic career is possible with determination, collaboration, and the humility to recognize and learn from mistakes.”

Read more here