Our History

ROBERT E. STOWELL (1967 - 1969)

Robert Stowell was the founding chair of pathology. He brought a record of leadership Director of the AFIP, Pathology Department Chairman at Kansas and President of National Pathology organization. He was honored with Gold Headed Canes in two National organizations.

SEFTON R. WELLINGS (1969 - 1975)

Sefton was a naturalist and student of biology who studied, fish, birds and human. He was hired to bring Science to the department, which he did. He is internationally renowned for his ground breaking studies of human breast cancer.

WILLFORD TORRESON (1976 - 1977)

Fred Torreson was a native Californian, a fisherman and outdoorsman, who wrote the document recommending the development of our medical School. He came from a Chairmanship in New York to take charge of AP and Chair.

GEORGE D. LUNDBERG (1977 - 1982)

Insisted on a "seat at the table" for pathology in all relevant deliberations; introduced patient focused and participatory lab management; led Med School total curriculum reform; sought only "World Class" faculty recruits; welcomed critical laboratory inspections by outsiders.

MURRAY B. GARDNER (1982 - 1990)

Murray Gardner had a background in General Practice and General Pathology before embarking on a research career at USC on oncogenic retroviruses in human and animal cancer. At UC Davis he helped to build an interdisciplinary team of investigators in the Medical and Veterinary Schools to study immunosuppressive retroviruses in human and monkey AIDS.

ROBERT D. CARDIFF (1990 - 1996)

Robert Cardiff is emeritus professor of pathology, educator, and former chair of pathology at the University of California, Davis. He is renowned for his significant contributions to biomedical research, with research interests spanning pathology, comparative pathology, and cancer studies. He is ranked #1 internationally in Mammary Neoplasia and has national and international awards in education.

RALPH GREEN (1996 - 2009)

Ralph Green was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to the United States with his family to become a leader in hematopathology. While Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine he oversaw the expansion of departmental facilities and outreach program. He also provided much needed improvements and expansion if our Pathology residency and fellowship programs. His efforts were recognize by national awards.

LYDIA P. HOWELL (2009 - 2024)

Lydia Pleotis Howell, M.D., Distinguished Professor Emerita and Chair Emerita of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is well-known as an advocate for women’s careers in biomedical science and for new protocols, practices, and technology that enhance the minimally invasive cytologic method of diagnosis.