Agha Wajdan Baqir, MD
Assistant Professor
Department:
SOM-Pathology
Email:
abaqir@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 845-8310
Biography
Dr. Agha Wajdan Baqir joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center in July 2022 as an Assistant Professor of Pathology. He received his MBBS from Services Institute of Medical Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan, and completed residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as Chief Resident for two years. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Cytopathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology.
At UMMC, Dr. Baqir practices Cytopathology, Thoracic Pathology, Head and Neck Pathology, and other areas of surgical pathology. He serves as Co-lead of Thoracic Pathology, Director of Autopsy Services, and Laboratory Director of the Jackson Medical Mall Laboratory. He also serves as Pathology Course Director for the School of Dentistry.
Dr. Baqir is actively involved in resident, medical student, and dental student education through clinical sign-out, didactic teaching, and mentorship. His academic interests include cytopathology, thoracic pathology, molecular testing in lung cancer, and pathology education. He has presented his work at national pathology meetings and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and published abstracts. He is a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and a member of the American Society of Cytopathology, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and Mississippi Association of Pathologists.
Education
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fellowship, Cytopathology | 2022 |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, Residency, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology | 2021 |
| Services Institute of Medical Sciences, MBBS, Medicine & Surgery | 2013 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) Full Medical Registration | 05/2013 - 12/2021 |
| Licensure, Pennsylvania State Medical License | 07/2021 - 06/2022 |
| Certification, American Board of Pathology Subspecialty Certification in Cytopathology | 09/2022 - Present |
| Certification, American Board of Pathology Certification in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology | 05/2021 - Present |
| Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical License | 06/2022 - 06/2027 |
Current Positions
| Lab Director, Jackson Medical Mall Laboratory, Department of Pathology | 2026 - Present |
| Director, Autopsy Services, Department of Pathology | 08/2023 - Present |
| Co-lead, Thoracic Pathology, Department of Pathology | 07/2022 - Present |
| Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology | 07/2022 - Present |
| Pathology Course Director, School of Dentistry | 03/2026 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Medical Officer, Community Welfare Laboratory | 02/2017 - 05/2017 |
| Instructor, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, School of Medicine | 12/2013 - 06/2016 |
| Medical Officer, Orthopedic Medical Complex | 05/2013 - 11/2013 |
| House Officer, Services Hospital Lahore | 04/2012 - 04/2013 |
Publications
Journal Article | |
| Baqir AW, Khader SN, Naous R Cytomorphology of a Unique Case of Dedifferentiated Chordoma Involving a Pleural Effusion Specimen Cytopathology. 2023;34(5):489-492. | 2023 |
| Xu S, Duarte LS, Baqir AW, Lyo S, Gupta R, Zhang Y When a Lump is More Than Just a Lump: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Pediatric Breast Mass Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 2023;45(2):99-102. | 2023 |
| McEachron J, Baqir AW, Zhou N, Jabbar A, Gupta R, Levitan D, Lee YC Evaluation of the Incidence and Clinical Significance of WT-1 Expression in Uterine Serous Carcinoma Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2022;39:100918. | 2021 |
| Sharif S, Koci K, Chaudhry ZA, Baqir AW, Kabani N, Dvorkina O Fever of Unknown Origin and Mesenteric Mass: A Case of Kikuchi Fujimoto Disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. 2021;16(4):121-126. | 2021 |
| Ilyas G, Alawad M, Baqir AW, Oza T Sigmoid Volvulus as the Initial Presentation of Chronic Intestinal Schistosomiasis ACG Case Reports Journal. 2019;6(5):e00053. | 2019 |
| Baqir AW, Alawad M, Loukeris K A Fatal Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction Gastroenterology. 2019;156(8):e14-e15. | 2019 |
Review Article | |
| Shavakhi M, Baqir AW Advances in IgA Nephropathy Management, from Pathological Insights to Personalized Treatment Journal of Nephropathology. 2023;12(4):e21480. | 2023 |
Abstracts | |
| Abbas SA, Aravind A, Baqir AW, Manucha V Evaluation of Pap Smear Results in Women With Postmenopausal Bleeding and Endometrial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology. 2025;14(5):S42. | 2025 |
| Chaudhary R, Aravind A, Baqir AW, Manucha V Retrospective Analysis of the Anal Cytology With Concurrent HR-HPV (High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus) Testing in a High-Risk Population in a Tertiary Care Center Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology. 2024;13(5):S25. | 2024 |
| Baqir A, Khader S, Lajara S Diagnosis of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas on Cytology Specimens: How Reliable Are We? Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology. 2022;11(6):S50-S51. | 2022 |
| Baqir A, Khader S, Lajara S Diagnostic Accuracy of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Lung on Fine-Needle Aspiration and Exfoliative Cytology: An Institutional Review of a Challenging Diagnosis Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2022;146(9):e2-e186. | 2022 |
| Shavakhi M, Baqir A Can First-Trimester Maternal Serum Biomarker Screening Also Predict Subsequent Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus? A Study in an Iranian Population Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2022;146(9):e2-e186. | 2022 |
| McEachron J, Zhou N, Baqir AW, Jabbar A, Gassmann K, Gupta R, Levitan D, Lee YC WT1 Expression Associated With Platinum-Sensitivity and Improved Progression-Free Survival in Uterine Serous Carcinoma Gynecologic Oncology. 2021;162(Suppl 1):S337-S338. | 2021 |
| McEachron J, Zhou N, Baqir AW, Jabbar A, Gassmann K, Gupta R, Lee YC Prognostic Implications of HER2/neu on Chemosensitivity and Survival in Uterine Serous and Clear Cell Carcinoma Gynecologic Oncology. 2021;162(Suppl 1):S246-S247. | 2021 |
| Baqir AW, McEachron J, Jabbar A, Gassmann K, Gupta R, Lee YC, Levitan D WT1 Expression in Uterine Serous Carcinoma Is Associated With Increased Chemosensitivity and Improved Progression-Free Survival in Afro-Caribbean Women Laboratory Investigation. 2021;101(Suppl 1):649-651. | 2021 |
| Baqir AW, McEachron J, Jabbar A, Gassmann K, Bukhari Z, Lee YC, Gupta R HER2 Overexpression in Uterine Serous and Clear Cell Endometrial Carcinomas Is Associated With Chemoresistance and Worse Survival Laboratory Investigation. 2021;101(Suppl 1):651-652. | 2021 |
| Baqir A, Xie Q A Fatal Case of Pediatric Primary Myxoid Liposarcoma of the Orbit: A Rare Tumor in an Unusual Location Presenting With Widespread Metastasis American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2020;154(Suppl 1):S82. | 2020 |
| Jabbar A, Rana T, Ilyas G, Baqir A, Emechebe D, Agaronov M A Rare Presentation of Pseudomembranous Colitis in a COVID-19 Patient American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2020;154(Suppl 1):S72-S73. | 2020 |
| Baqir AW, Ilyas G, Landa M, Zahir I Strongyloides stercoralis Larva in Esophageal Brushings: A Rare Cause of Esophageal Ulcerations in HIV Patient Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2020;144(9 Suppl 1):e2-e212. | 2020 |
| Baqir AW, Jabbar A, Wieczorek R, Shvartsbeyn M Malignant Epithelioid Mesothelioma in a Young Woman With Remote Burn Pit Exposure: Case Report and Literature Review Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2020;144(9 Suppl 1):e2-e212. | 2020 |
| Jabbar A, Bukhari Z, Emechebe DY, Baqir AW, Hasenzahl A, Gupta R A Retrospective Analysis of Hematologic Parameters in Malaria Patients Returning From International Endemic Areas Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2020;144(9 Suppl 1):e2-e212. | 2020 |
| Patel PJ, Baqir AW, Daniel D, Xie Q, Li Z Primary Urinary Bladder Intra-Diverticular Adenocarcinoma Arising in a Villous Adenoma With Coexistent Extra-Diverticular Urothelial Carcinoma Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2020;144(9 Suppl 1):e2-e212. | 2020 |
| Jabbar A, Baqir AW, Levitan D Placental Pathology in a Case of a Large Uterine Angioleiomyoma Discovered During Cesarean Delivery Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2020;144(9 Suppl 1):e2-e212. | 2020 |
| Diks J, Alshal M, Ilyas G, Mendoza R, Baqir AW, Gupta R A Rare Case of Extranodal Histiocytic Sarcoma Presenting With Primary Bone Tumor Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2019;143(9):e2-e226. | 2019 |
| Ilyas G, Alawad M, Baqir AW, Somma JD Fatal Primary Dedifferentiated Adamantinoma of the Rib With Lung Metastasis Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2019;143(9):e2-e226. | 2019 |
| Alawad M, Baqir AW, Ilyas G, Gupta R FLI-1 Immunoreactivity in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall in the Differential Diagnosis of Small Round Blue Cell Tumors Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2019;143(9):e2-e226. | 2019 |
| Alawad M, Ilyas G, Baqir AW, Laskar D, Xie S Ciliated Foregut Cyst of the Pancreas: A Differential Diagnosis to Consider in the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2019;143(9):e2-e226. | 2019 |
| Baqir AW, Gupta R, Dresner L, Zuretti A A Pediatric Primary Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma of the Breast: Unusual Presentation in an Unexpected Clinical Setting American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2018;150(Suppl 1):S21. | 2018 |
| Ilyas G, Baqir AW, Atiq M An Unusual Huge Cystic Tumor of Liver: Intrahepatic Biliary Cystadenoma Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2018;142(9):e2-e202. | 2018 |
| Ilyas G, Baqir AW, Shao C A Case of Pediatric Caroli Syndrome Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2018;142(9):e2-e202. | 2018 |
Book Chapter | |
| Illingworth AM, Baqir AW, Manucha V Grossing of Ear, Nose, and Throat Specimens Manual of Pathologic Grossing: A Deliberative Approach. Springer, Cham; 2024:259-329. | 2024 |
Presentations
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Updates in Cytology Classification Systems, Pearls and Pitfalls for Pathologists / Pathology 2025: Preventing Pitfalls for Pathologists, Jackson, MS | 05/2025 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Head and Neck Pathology: HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer, Pathology for Primary Care and Specialists: Providing the Best Specimens and Interpreting Reports, Jackson, MS | 05/2023 |
| Poster Presentation, Diagnosis of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas on Cytology Specimens: How Reliable Are We?, 21st International Congress of Cytology / American Society of Cytopathology 70th Annual Scientific Meeting — Poster PST065, Baltimore, MD | 11/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Can First-Trimester Maternal Serum Biomarker Screening Also Predict Subsequent Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus? A Study in an Iranian Population, College of American Pathologists (CAP), CAP22 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA | 10/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Diagnostic Accuracy of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Lung on Fine-Needle Aspiration and Exfoliative Cytology: An Institutional Review of a Challenging Diagnosis, College of American Pathologists (CAP), CAP22 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA | 10/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, HER2 Overexpression in Uterine Serous and Clear Cell Endometrial Carcinomas Is Associated With Chemoresistance and Worse Survival, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), 110th Annual Meeting, Virtual | 03/2021 |
| Platform Presentations, WT1 Expression in Uterine Serous Carcinoma Is Associated With Increased Chemosensitivity and Improved Progression-Free Survival in Afro-Caribbean Women, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), 110th Annual Meeting, Virtual | 03/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Malignant Epithelioid Mesothelioma in a Young Woman With Remote Burn Pit Exposure: Case Report and Literature Review, College of American Pathologists (CAP), CAP20 Annual Meeting, Virtual | 10/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, Strongyloides stercoralis Larva in Esophageal Brushings: A Rare Cause of Esophageal Ulcerations in HIV Patient, College of American Pathologists (CAP), CAP20 Annual Meeting, Virtual | 10/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, A Fatal Case of Pediatric Primary Myxoid Liposarcoma of the Orbit: A Rare Tumor in an Unusual Location Presenting With Widespread Metastasis, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), 2020 Annual Meeting — Blue Ribbon Finalist, Case Study Category, Virtual | 09/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, A Pediatric Primary Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma of the Breast: Unusual Presentation in an Unexpected Clinical Setting, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), 2018 Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD | 10/2018 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Blue Ribbon Finalist, Case Study Category, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) | 2020 |
| Distinction, General Pathology & Microbiology, University of Health Sciences | |
| Distinction, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, University of Health Sciences | |
| Distinction, Behavioral Sciences, University of Health Sciences |
Professional Membership and Service
| Mississippi Association of Pathologists (MAP), Member | 2023 - Present |
| United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), Member | 2020 - 2022 |
| American Society of Cytopathology (ASC), Member | 2019 - Present |
| New York Pathological Society (NYPS), Member | 2018 - 2022 |
| College of American Pathologists (CAP), Fellow | 2017 - Present |
| American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Member | 2017 - Present |
Committee Service
| Pathology Residency Program Clinical Competency Committee, Member | 2026 - Present |
| Pathology Residency Program Evaluation Committee, Member | 2025 - Present |
| Pathology Residency Program Interview Committee, Member | 2022 - Present |
| SUNY Downstate Pathology Wellness Committee, Member | 2020 - 2021 |
| CAP Resident Forum Delegate, Member | 2020 - 2021 |
| SUNY Downstate Pathology Social Media Committee, Member | 2019 - 2021 |
| SUNY Downstate Pathology Wellness Committee, Co-Chair | 2019 - 2020 |
Community Service
| See, Test and Treat Program, Pathologist – Pap Cytology Review | 04/2025 - 04/2025 |
| See, Test and Treat Program, Pathologist – Pap Cytology Review | 04/2024 - 04/2024 |
| See, Test and Treat Program, Pathologist – Pap Cytology Review & Ask the Pathologist | 03/2023 - 03/2023 |
| See, Test and Treat Program, Pathologist – Pap Cytology Review & Ask the Pathologist | 08/2022 - 08/2022 |
Other Service
| Pathology 2025: Preventing Pitfalls for Pathologists, Co-director & planning committee member | 05/2025 - 05/2025 |
| 2024 Tri-State Pathology Conference, Program director | 04/2024 - 04/2024 |
| AP Laboratory Inspection – Quest Diagnostics, Boston/Marlborough, MA, College of American Pathologists (CAP) Inspection Team Member | 04/2024 - 04/2024 |
| Pathology 2024: Finding Answers for Primary Care and Surgical Specialists Learning to Help Pathologists Find Answers for Patients, Co-director & planning committee member | 03/2024 - 03/2024 |
| Pathology for Primary Care and Specialists: Providing the Best Specimens and Interpreting Reports, Co-director | 05/2023 - 05/2023 |
| ASCP Pathology Ambassador, Ambassador | 07/2021 - 06/2023 |
Teaching Experience
| Dentistry, Lecture, Lecturer, Oral Cavity Pathology didactic lecture | Annual 2026-27 - 2026 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Benign and Malignant Masses of the Parathyroid Glands | Annual 2026-27 - 2026 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Introduction to Autopsy for incoming PGY-1 residents | Annual 2026-27 - 2026 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Introduction to Cytopathology for incoming PGY-1 residents | Annual 2025-26 - 2025 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Cytology of the Gastrointestinal tract | Annual 2025-26 - 2026 |
| Dentistry, Lecture, Lecturer, Oral Cavity Pathology didactic lecture | Annual 2025-26 - 2025 |
| Dentistry, Course, Course Director, Pathology | 2025-26 |
| Dentistry, Lecture, Lecturer, Oral Cavity Pathology didactic lecture | Annual 2024-25 - 2024 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Neoplastic diseases of lung and mediastinum; Pathology and Cytopathology, Lecture #2 | Annual 2024-25 - 2025 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Neoplastic diseases of lung and mediastinum; Pathology and Cytopathology, Lecture #1 | Annual 2024-25 - 2025 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Oral/ENT Pathology didactic lecture | Annual 2023-24 - 2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Attending, Department of Infectious Diseases, Aspergillus | Annual 2023-24 - 2024 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pulmonary Medicine Fellows Thoracic pathology didactic lecture | Annual 2023-24 - 2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Cytopathology didactic lecture | Annual 2023-24 - 2024 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Cytology of the Gastrointestinal tract | Annual 2023-24 - 2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Cytopathology didactic lecture | Annual 2022-23 - 2023 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Neoplastic diseases of lung and mediastinum; Pathology and Cytopathology, Lecture #3 | Annual 2022-23 - 2023 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Neoplastic diseases of lung and mediastinum; Pathology and Cytopathology, Lecture #2 | Annual 2022-23 - 2023 |
| Graduate, Lecture, Lecturer, Pathology Residency Neoplastic diseases of lung and mediastinum; Pathology and Cytopathology, Lecture #1 | Annual 2022-23 - 2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Oral/ENT Pathology didactic | Annual 2022-23 - 2022 |
| Graduate, Clinical/Practicum, Attending, Sign-out teaching and case-based sessions in Cytopathology, Thoracic/pulmonary pathology, Head & Neck pathology, Bone and Soft tissue pathology and Autopsy | 2022 |
Directed Student Learning
| Faculty Supervisor – Pathology Observership, Advised: Bilal Ahmad, Emily Cobb, Macy Cummins, Sonam Talreja, Swathi Yarlagadda, Lana Talafha | 2022 - Present |
Residency Training
| UMMC Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program, Advisor | 2026 - Present |
| Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program, Attending Physician | 2022 - Present |