Dear Neuropathology Community,  

It is with great enthusiasm and deep gratitude that I assume the role of President of the American Association of Neuropathologists for the 2026–2027 cycle. The AANP has been my professional home since I began my career in this country, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities this Association has given me to grow, to contribute, and to become part of this remarkable community. It has been an honor to serve the AANP, and I look forward to giving back in this new role. 

As President, one of my priorities is to ensure that every member feels welcome, valued, and engaged. Our strength as an Association comes from the diversity of our experiences, institutions, career stages, and areas of expertise. I encourage each of you to continue fostering collaboration, mentorship, and education so that we may all grow as professionals, better serve our patients and trainees, and continue advancing the field of neuropathology.  

Whether you are a trainee, early-career neuropathologist, senior faculty member, researcher, or allied professional, your voice is important to the future of our Association. Each of you represents the face of neuropathology in your own institution and community. Every day, through diagnostic excellence, research, teaching, and consultation, you contribute to patient care and to the broader understanding of diseases of the nervous system.  

When we gather each June, we reconnect not only as colleagues and friends, but also as learners and educators. The knowledge we share at our annual meeting becomes a seed planted within each of us — one that grows, blooms, and pollinates the minds of those around us wherever we practice. 

Our Association continues to grow and now includes 900 members. Your active involvement is essential to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that the AANP continues to flourish. I encourage you to submit your work, share your discoveries, and engage with your colleagues through our upcoming meetings and through the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology — our Association’s journal. As an AANP member, you benefit from reduced open-access rates and waived page charges, making it even easier to disseminate your work to the broader scientific and medical community. 

The AANP has also worked diligently to expand educational and professional opportunities beyond the annual meeting. These include our Fellowship Page, Jobs Board, monthly AANP Teaching Rounds series, Case of the Month, our flagship Diagnostic Slide Session, and many other resources available through our website at https://www.neuropath.org/. These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to lifelong learning, professional development, and the education of the next generation of neuropathologists. 

In collaboration with our Vice President, Dr. Murat Gokden, and with the support of the Education Committee and AOE, we are preparing an engaging, inclusive, and educational meeting for next year. We look forward to welcoming you all in Renton, Washington, and to continuing the important work of learning from one another, supporting one another, and advancing neuropathology together. 

 With gratitude and enthusiasm, 

Sandra Camelo-Piragua, M.D.  
President, American Association of Neuropathologists 
2026–2027