Dr. Vighnesh Walavalkar is a pathologist who specializes in interpreting kidney biopsies as well as electron microscopy of various tissues (examining a biopsy sample through a special microscope that uses electrons for powerful magnification). In addition to his expertise in cytology (the study of cells to make diagnoses), he performs fine needle aspiration, a simple procedure in which a needle is used to draw a biopsy sample from a lump under the skin.

Walavalkar's research interests include renal diseases, kidney transplantation and cancer. He studies these conditions both at the cellular level and in relation to patient care.

Walavalkar earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore in India. He completed a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. At the University of Massachusetts Medical School, he completed a fellowship in surgical pathology, followed by a fellowship in cytopathology. He then completed a fellowship in renal pathology at UCSF.