Maria Gubbiotti, MD, PHD
Department of Anatomical Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Maria Gubbiotti
I am a neuropathologist with research interests in pituitary, novel glial/glioneuronal entities, and the correlation of the underlying molecular make-up of tumors with histopathologic features. I collaborate with multiple colleagues spanning the fields of neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuro-oncology. I also am heavily involved in education and mentoring through the surgical pathology and neuropathology fellowship programs as well as more broadly in the neuropathology community. I participate in local, national, and international associations related to my craft including the Texas Society of Pathologists, American Association of Neuropathologists where I am a member of the program committee, and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology and am one of the associate editors for the International Journal of Surgical Pathology.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Faculty for Neuropathology Fellowship Training Program, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Faculty for Neuropathology Fellowship Training Program, Houston Methodist
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2019 | Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, Medicine/Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Medical doctorate and doctorate of philosophy |
| 2011 | University of Scranton, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2023 | Fellow, Neuropathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 2019-2021 | Resident, Anatomic Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Board Certifications
| 2023 | American Board of Pathology |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Network Partners Liaison, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Brain Tumor Center Mentorship Program, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Neuropathology Representative, Clinical Competency Committee for Surgical Pathology Fellows, 2024 - Present
Member, Professional Education Committee, 2023 - Present
Member, Resident Curriculum Committee, 2019 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | Distinguished Contribution by a Resident Award, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pathology Residency Program |
| 2019 | Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Sidney Kimmel Medical College |
| 2019 | Yun and Sophie Yen Thesis Prize for Distinguished Research in Pathobiology, Thomas Jefferson University |
| 2018 | Editor's Pick for manuscript "Metabolic Reprogramming of Cardiomyocytes during Autophagy Requires the Extracellular Nutrient Sensor, Decorin", Journal of Biological Chemistry |
| 2016 | Outstanding Poster Award, Proteoglycan Gordon Research Conference |
| 2016 | Stephanie Schulz Award for Best Poster, Sigma Xi Research Symposium |
| 2011 | Senior Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, The University of Scranton |
| 2010 | Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Abi Faraj, C, McCutcheon, IE, Gubbiotti MA. PIT-1/SF-1 Co-Expression in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (PitNETs) with Comprehensive Review of the Literature: How Should We Best Characterize these Neoplasms?. Annals of Diagnostic Pathology 74, 2025. PMID: 39549524.
- Jitpasutham T, Andrianus S, Gubbiotti MA, Nosé V, Baloch ZW, Madrigal E, Faquin WC. Thyroid nodules with DICER1 mutation or PTEN alteration: A comparative cytologic, clinical, and molecular study of 117 FNA cases. Cancer Cytopathol 132(6):370-385, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38558329.
- Soni N, Agarwal A, Ajmera P, Mehta P, Gupta V, Vibhute M, Gubbiotti M, Mark IT, Messina SA, Mohan S, Bathla G. High-Grade Astrocytoma with Piloid Features: A Dual Institutional Review of Imaging Findings of a Novel Entity. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 45(4):468-474, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38485198.
- Tondi Resta I, Gubbiotti MA, Montone KT, Livolsi VA, Baloch ZW. Differentiated high grade thyroid carcinomas: Diagnostic consideration and clinical features. Hum Pathol 144:53-60, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38244615.
- Tondi Resta I, Gubbiotti MA, Montone KT, Livolsi VA, Baloch ZW. An Investigation into Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms with Papillary-like Nuclear Features: Does the Initial Proposal on Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms with Papillary-like Nuclear Features Behavior Hold True?. Hum Pathol 141:139-148, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37633533.
- Andrianus S, Gubbiotti MA, Mandel SJ, Nikiforov YE, Baloch Z. Unraveling the significance of TSHR mutations in indeterminate thyroid cytology specimens. Diagn Cytopathol 51(7):406-413, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37042127.
- Gubbiotti MA, Andrianus S, Baloch Z. THADA-IGF2BP3 fusions detected in fine-needle aspiration specimens of thyroid nodules: An institutional experience. Diagn Cytopathol 51(6):349-355, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36752652.
- Gubbiotti MA, Andrianus S, Sakhi R, Zhang Q, Montone K, Jalaly JB, Baloch Z. Does the presence of capsule influence prognosis in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma?. Hum Pathol 136:96-104, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37054782.
- Tondi-Resta I, Hobday SB, Gubbiotti MA, Jalaly JB, Rassekh CH, Montone KT, Baloch ZW. Carcinoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenomas: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review. Am J Clin Pathol 159(5):502-515, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36921078.
- Nelson EJ, Gubbiotti MA, Carlin AM, Nasrallah MP, Van Deerlin VM, Herlihy SE. Clinical Evaluation of IDH Mutation Status in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue in Gliomas. Mol Diagn Ther 27(3):371-381, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36690887.
- Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V. Brain metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma origin are derived from aggressive histologic variants and demonstrate similar adverse morphology in the metastatic lesion. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 227:107639, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36889238.
- Feely, M, Tondon, R, Gubbiotti MA, Stashek, K, Numbere, N, Huber, A, Sharma, A, Geller, B, Salaria, S, Gonzalez, R. Gastrointestinal Tract Injury by Yttrium-90 Appears Largely Restricted to Resin Microspheres But Can Occur Years After Embolization. AJSP Rev Rep 46(9):1234-1240, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35389897.
- Gubbiotti MA, LiVolsi V, Montone K, Baloch Z. A Cyst-ematic Analysis of the Adrenal Gland: A Compilation of Primary Cystic Lesions From Our Institution and Review of the Literature. Am J Clin Pathol 157(4):531-539, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34596217.
- Gubbiotti MA, Baloch, Z, Montone, KT, Livolsi, V. Non-tumoral Psammoma Bodies Correlate with Adverse Histology in Classic Type Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. AOHNS, 2022.
- Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V, Montone K, Baloch Z. Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas: does subtyping predict aggressive clinical behavior?. Hum Pathol 114:28-35, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33971214.
- Gubbiotti MA, Montone K, Zhang P, Livolsi V, Baloch Z. A contemporary update on hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma: compilation of all in-house cases at our institution and a literature review spanning 2015-2020. Hum Pathol 111:45-51, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33577927.
- Chen CG, Gubbiotti MA, Kapoor A, Han X, Yu Y, Linhardt RJ, Iozzo RV. Autophagic degradation of HAS2 in endothelial cells: A novel mechanism to regulate angiogenesis. Matrix Biol 90:1-19, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32084457.
- Gubbiotti MA, Seifert E, Rodeck U, Hoek JB, Iozzo RV. Metabolic reprogramming of murine cardiomyocytes during autophagy requires the extracellular nutrient sensor decorin. J Biol Chem 293(43):16940-16950, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30049794.
- Torres A, Gubbiotti MA, Iozzo RV. Decorin-inducible Peg3 Evokes Beclin 1-mediated Autophagy and Thrombospondin 1-mediated Angiostasis. J Biol Chem 292(12):5055-5069, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28174297.
- Goyal A, Gubbiotti MA, Chery DR, Han L, Iozzo RV. Endorepellin-evoked Autophagy Contributes to Angiostasis. J Biol Chem 291(37):19245-56, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27435676.
- Gubbiotti MA, Iozzo RV. Proteoglycans regulate autophagy via outside-in signaling: an emerging new concept. Matrix Biol 48:6-13, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26462577.
- Gubbiotti MA, Neill T, Frey H, Schaefer L, Iozzo RV. Decorin is an autophagy-inducible proteoglycan and is required for proper in vivo autophagy. Matrix Biol 48:14-25, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26344480.
- Foley TD, Stredny CM, Coppa TM, Gubbiotti MA. An improved phenylarsine oxide-affinity method identifies triose phosphate isomerase as a candidate redox receptor protein. Neurochem Res 35(2):306-14, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19731017.
- Faraj, CA, McCutcheon, IE, Gubbiotti MA, Perni, S, Gule-Monroe, MK, Akdemir, K, Clark, VE, Bander, ED, Loghin, ME, Prabhu, SS, Lang, FF, Weinberg, JS. Extra-cranial nervous system metastasis from high-grade glioma: a single institution experience. J Neurononcol. PMID: 40055259.
Invited Articles
- Gubbiotti MA, Canberk, S, Baloch, ZW. Oncocytic Tumors in the Thyroid: A Tri-Focal Review-Integrated Cytopathological, Pathological, and Molecular Perspectives. Acta Cytol, 2025. PMID: 39956101.
Other Articles
- Gubbiotti MA, McCutcheon, IE, Rao, P, Genovese, G, Wang, L, Tarasov, A, Putintsev, V, Berlinski, A, Stupichev, D, Kriukov, K, Davitavyan, S, Salem, B, Sarachakov, A, Hensley, M, Paradiso, F, Kushnarev, V, Khegai, G, Tannir, NM, Msaouel, P A Novel Case of Glial Transdifferentiation in Renal Medullary Carcinoma Brain Metastasis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 13(1), 2025. PMID: 39833894.
- Faraj CA, McCutcheon IE, Schomer DF, Aldape K, Quezado M, Abdullaev Z, Gubbiotti MA A case of a (not so) diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor with an unusual clinical history. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 84(1):87-90, 2024. PMID: 39088579.
- Gubbiotti MA, Weinberg JS, Weathers SP, Dasgupta P, Tom MC, Aldape K, Quezado M, Abdullaev Z, Huse JT, Ballester LY An incidental finding of a high-grade glioma with pleomorphic and pseudopapillary features (HPAP) with PBRM1 mutation. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 83(2):139-141, 2024. PMID: 38164987.
- Kumar, NK, Rivadeneira A, Banerjee S, Gubbiotti M, Yoshor D, Jackson C, Kharlip J, White CA Hypophysitis Secondary to Small Vessel ANCA Vasculitis Treated With Rituximab. AACE Clin Case Rep 10(2):55-59, 2024. PMID: 38523853.
- Gubbiotti MA, Madsen PJ, Tucker AM, Abdullaev Z, Aldape K, Shekdar K, Yang A, Minturn JE, Santi M, Viaene AN ZFTA-fused supratentorial ependymoma with a novel fusion partner, DUX4. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 82(7):668-671, 2023. PMID: 37218333.
- Gubbiotti MA, Dhillon KS, Harris J, Kothari S, Ware JB, Desai A, Shabason J, Miettinen M, Quezado M, Aldape K, Judy K, Wang ZX, Curtis MT, Nasrallah MP An unusual case of metastatic diffuse midline glioma in an adult. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 82(7):659-663, 2023. PMID: 37075315.
- Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V, Montone KT Update on Sinonasal Tract Malignancies. Arch Pathol Lab Med 148(10):1082-1091, 2023. PMID: 36920001.
- Gubbiotti MA, Santi M, Storm PB, Li M, Xu F, Abdullaev Z, Aldape K, Viaene AN First-time identification of a KIF5B-NTRK2 fusion in extraventricular neurocytoma. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 82(3):272-275, 2023. PMID: 36655517.
- Gubbiotti MA, Baloch Z An Overview of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (PitNET) and Algorithmic Approach to Diagnosis. Adv Anat Pathol 30(1):79-83, 2023. PMID: 36069849.
- Gubbiotti, MA, Livolsi, VA Late Recurrence of Hyperparathyroidism: Parathyromatosis or Recurrent Parathyroid Carcinoma?. Mayo Clin Proc 97(11):2161-2163, 2022. PMID: 36333018.
- Salem, MM, Mccloskey, K, Romeo, D, Gubbiotti MA, YouRong, SS, DePace, DM, Jankowitz, BT, Burkhardt, JK Understanding the Pathogenesis of Lateral Supratentorial Neurenteric Cysts in Close Proximity to Other Vascular Pathologies: A Case Report and Review of Embryology. Cureus, 2022. PMID: 35784991.
- Gubbiotti MA, Buraschi S, Kapoor A, Iozzo RV Proteoglycan signaling in tumor angiogenesis and endothelial cell autophagy. Semin Cancer Biol 62:1-8, 2020. PMID: 31078640.
- Iozzo RV, Gubbiotti MA Extracellular matrix: The driving force of mammalian diseases. Matrix Biol 71-72:1-9, 2018. PMID: 29625183.
- Gubbiotti MA, Neill T, Iozzo RV A current view of perlecan in physiology and pathology: A mosaic of functions. Matrix Biol 57-58:285-298, 2017. PMID: 27613501.
- Schaefer L, Tredup C, Gubbiotti MA, Iozzo RV Proteoglycan neofunctions: regulation of inflammation and autophagy in cancer biology. FEBS J 284(1):10-26, 2017. PMID: 27860287.
- Gubbiotti MA, Vallet SD, Ricard-Blum S, Iozzo RV Decorin interacting network: A comprehensive analysis of decorin-binding partners and their versatile functions. Matrix Biol 55:7-21, 2016. PMID: 27693454.
Editorials
- Gubbiotti MA, Montone KT, Baloch Z. Special Issue on Neuroendocrine Tumors: Updates on Classification Systems, Streamlining Diagnosis, and Emphasis on Molecular Signatures in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Adv Anat Pathol 30(1):1-2, 2023. PMID: 36508746.
- Gubbiotti MA, Jalaly J, Baloch Z. Making a case for the success of Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology. Diagn Cytopathol 50(9):451-455, 2022. PMID: 35801712.
Abstracts
- Gubbiotti MA, Li M, Santi M, Nasrallah M. BCOR Alterations in Spinal Diffuse Leptomeningeal Glioneuronal Tumors with 1q Gain. United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 105(3):Supplement, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Dasgupta P, Buchold G, Wathoo C, Joseph JJ, Soomro Z, Anza G, Amol J, Ballester LY, Macaulay R, Zhang X, Meredith D, Gubbiotti MA, Calin G, Puduvalli V. DICER1-mutant primary intracranial sarcoma: assessing the oncogenic role of miRNA dysregulation. Society for Neuro-Oncology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Baloch Z, Livolsi V. The Presence of Extra-tumoral Psammoma Bodies Correlates with Adverse Histologic Findings in Classic Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. American Thyroid Association.
- Attaway C, Gubbiotti MA, Fortuna D. PRIME model for grossing: An introductory and foundational framework to introduce grossing and the importance of gross descriptions for PGY-1 pathology trainees. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V. An Unusual First Presentation of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Review of All Cases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Brain Metastases at Our Institution. American Thyroid Association.
- Jitpasutham T, Andrianus S, Gubbiotti MA, Nose V, Baloch Z, Madrigal E, Faquin W. Thyroid Nodules with Loss of PTEN or DICER1 Mutation: Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features of 117 Cases. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Andrianus S, Baloch Z. Does the Presence of Capsule Influence Prognosis in Poorly-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
- Andrianus S, Gubbiotti MA, Nikiforov Y, Baloch Z. Unraveling the Significance of TSHR Mutations in Indeterminate Thyroid Cytology Specimens. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Nasrallah M, Santi M, Viaene A. Routine Comprehensive Solid and Fusion Genetic Profiling Uncovers Novel Fusions in Pediatric and Young Adult Brain Tumors. American Association of Neuropathologists.
- Gubbiotti MA, Lee V, Scherer S, Lee E. The First Ever Autopsy of a Patient with Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere Syndrome. American Association of Neuropathologists.
- Gubbiotti MA, Banihashemi A. Rare Case of Marchiafava-Bignami Disease in a Patient with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and no History of Alcohol Use. American Association of Neuropathologists.
- Chand M, Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V. HPV-Associated Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx: An Aggressive HPV-related Neoplasm that Needs to be Recognized. College of American Pathologists.
- Gubbiotti MA, Aldape K, Quezado M, Abdullaev A, Huse JT, McCutcheon IE, Weathers SP, Schomer D, Puduvalli V, Ballester LY. An Institutional Experience of Methylation Profiling of Unusual Historical Cases: Solving Mysteries Up to 46 Years After Initial Diagnosis. American Association of Neuropathologists.
- Gajagowni, S, Rawther-Karedath, A, Varughese, S, Ren, W, Alhalabi, O, Campbell, MT, Gubbiotti MA, Lawson, BC, Lu, H, Aaroe, A, Bhattacharjee, M, Sheth, RA, Subudhi, SK, Siddiqui, BA. Core Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Immune-Mediated Myositis. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.
- Alfattal R, Ballester, LY, Gubbiotti MA, Yang, RK. Molecular Profiling is a Helpful Tool in Diagnosing MMNST. Association of Molecular Pathology.
- Thakur S, Faghani S, Moassefi M, Baid U, Chung V, Pati S, Innani S, Baheti B, Albrecht J, Karargyris A, Kassem H, Nasrallah MP, Ahrendsen JT, Barresi V, Gubbiotti MA, Lopez GY, Lucas CG, Miller ML, Cooper LAD, Huse JT, Bell WR, Bakas S. BraTS-Path: Assessing Heterogeneous Histopathologic Regions in Glioblastoma. Society for Neuro-Oncology.
- Alfattal, R, Lam, K, Ozkizilkaya, HI, Patel, CB, Wang, D, Huse, JT, Ballester, LY, Gubbiotti MA. IDH-Mutant Astrocytomas in Patients Older than 55 Years: A Retrospective Analysis. Texas Society of Pathologists.
- Faraj, CA, Zuluaga, JP, Gubbiotti MA, McCutcheon, IE, Suki, D, Prabhu, S, Ferguson, SD, Ene, CI, Kim, BYS, Sawaya, R, Lang, FF, Weinberg, JS. Comparative Study of Intraoperative MRI Versus Conventional Surgery for Non-Enhancing Brain Tumors. American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
- Gubbiotti MA, Neill T, Iozzo R. Decorin is an Autophagy-Inducible Proteoglycan. Gordon Research Conference; Proteoglycans.
- Gubbiotti MA, Schaefer L, Iozzo R. Decorin, an Extracellular Matrix Nutrient Sensor. American Society for Matrix Biology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Desai A, O'Rourke D, Stein J, Nasrallah MP. A Dual-Genotype, Dual-Radiological Phenotype Oligoastrocytoma and Summary of Past Use of the Diagnosis ‘Oligoastrocytoma’ at our Institution. American Association of Neuropathologists.
- Gubbiotti MA, Tondon R. Impact of the Cholangiocarcinoma Component of Combined Hepatocellular/Hepatocholangiocarcinoma on Patient Survival. American Society for Clinical Pathology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Livolsi V, Montone K, Baloch Z. Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas: Does Sub-Typing Predict Clinical Behavior?”. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
- Gubbiotti MA, Mangone C, Tondon R. In Tune with the Target Audience: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Enhance Communication between Gastrointestinal (GI) Pathologists and the Clinical Care Team. United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.
Book Chapters
- Ballester L, Gubbiotti MA, Fuller G. Central Nervous System. In: Histology for Pathologists Sixth Edition.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Cram it in Your Cranium! A Neuropath AP Boards Review for the Non-Neuropathologist. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Residency Program as well as Philadelphia Pathology Society. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2024. Don't Get Brain Freeze! A Guide to Neuropathology Frozen Sections for the Non-Neuropathologist. Invited. Penn Medicine Virtual Pathology Conference, US.
- 2023. When Morphology Meets Molecular: A Case-Based Approach to High Grade Gliomas. Invited. Philadelphia Pathology Society Virtual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2019. Understanding and Exploiting the Tumor Microenvironment in Glioblastoma. Invited. Medical Alumni Council. Scranton, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2018. Extracellular Matrix Regulation of Mammalian Disease. Invited. Scranton, Pennsylvania, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Pioneering in the Expanding Frontier of CNS Neoplasms: What Should You Consider When You Encounter an Unusual Tumor in the Wild?. Invited. USCAP Annual Meeting, US.
- 2025. Low Grade Glioma Tumor Board. Panelist. Society for Brain Mapping Therapeutics Neurotech Convention. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2024. Education Day: Case Studies of Adult and Pediatric Gliomas. Invited. Society for Neuro-Oncology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Classification of New Thyroid Tumors and Impact on Clinical Management. Invited. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Webinar, US.
- 2016. Decorin, an Extracellular Matrix Nutrient Sensor. Invited. American Society for Matrix Biology. St. Petersburg, Florida, US.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 13, 2025