Dr. Stewart W. Comer MD, MA, FCAP

Expert Publications

• Going in circles?
• Persistence of azinphosmethyl in soil.
• Potential exposure of workers to parathion through contamination of cigarettes.
• Residues of parathion and conversion products on apple and peach foliage resulting from repeated spray applications.
• Exposure to the herbicide, paraquat.
• Exposure of apple thinners to parathion residues.
• Recovery from fulminant infection with Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain) in non-immunocompromised host.
• Oral exposure of workers to parathion through contamination of food items.
• Exposure of spraymen to pesticides.
• Primary cutaneous mucormycosis with a Mucor species: is iron overload a factor?
• Exposure of workers to carbaryl.
• A monitoring study of workers in a central Washington orchard.
• Potential exposure from smoking parathion-contaminated cigarettes.
• Stability of parathion metabolites in urine samples collected from poisoned individuals.

Media Releases

Leading Pathologist Brings Extensive Experience in Molecular Pathology and Clinical Diagnostics

Dr. Stewart W. Comer, holds the role of Senior Director of Clinical Pathology at Illumina, Inc., a global leader in biotechnology and genomic sequencing. With his extensive background in molecular pathology and clinical diagnostics, he plays a critical role in advancing Illumina’s mission to provide high-quality laboratory diagnostic services to improve patient care across a broad spectrum of health conditions, including infectious diseases, oncology, and prenatal genomic applications.

Dr. Comer earned his Medical Degree from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. He then completed his fellowship in molecular genetic pathology at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Business Management from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Dr. Comer, who joined Illumina, Inc. in early 2022, brings over a decade of experience in pathology and laboratory medicine. Before his tenure at Illumina, he served at Mission Pathology Consultants, Inc. in Santa Barbara, where he was instrumental in providing diagnostic services and held leadership positions at multiple hospitals, including Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. His extensive leadership experience includes serving as the Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Laboratory Director for several prominent healthcare organizations in the region.

Board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath), Dr. Comer is dedicated to setting high certification standards and promoting lifelong competency within the field. He is a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and holds a Certificate of Qualification from the New York State Department of Health for Molecular Genetics and Oncology Testing. Furthermore, he is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association for Molecular Pathology and the American Statistical Association.

Dr. Comer’s leadership at Illumina, Inc. will be pivotal in enhancing the laboratory’s capabilities in complex genetic and genomic testing, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and advancements in therapeutic care.

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