This Pathologist Isn’t Just Studying Blood—He’s Helping to Reinvent How We Deliver It

Dr. Michael DeVan, assistant professor of pathology and co-director of the Uniformed Services University pathology course, brings decades of experience in military medicine, transfusion science, and education to the next generation of military physicians.

Dr. Michael DeVan, assistant professor of pathology, leverages decades of experience in

transfusion medicine to pioneer new solutions for combat casualty care at the Uniformed

Services University. (Joshua L. DeMotts/2018 Stars and Stripes, All Rights Reserved)

June 12, 2025 By Vivian Mason

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Whether it’s for surgery, trauma, illness, or chronic conditions, blood is a lifeline—and in military settings, its availability can be the difference between life and death.

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Michael DeVan knows this better than most. As a transfusion medicine pathologist with decades of experience in military hospitals and national research institutions, he has spent his career navigating the complex challenges of blood banking and transfusion medicine.

DeVan sitting in front of his microscope.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael DeVan, USU)

“As a person who scrambles around the country trying to find blood units for people,” DeVan says, “I
value trying to save a life. When I was at NIH, there were sick people with really rare diseases. Often, people came in who had developed an immune response to blood ‘off the shelf,’ so we had to scour the entire country for compatible blood units.”

Now an assistant professor of pathology at the Uniformed Services University (USU) and co-director of the university’s pathology course, DeVan continues that mission—but with a wider lens. In addition to teaching, he’s helping shape future solutions to one of military medicine’s most pressing problems: how to supply safe, viable blood to patients in combat zones or austere environments.

“We support patients through a very difficult time in their lives,” he notes. “We know that we are supplying them with blood products of the highest standard and quality, and work hard to provide better patient care.”

From the Lab to the Battlefield

Transfusion medicine is often misunderstood. Many picture pathologists buried in microscopes. But DeVan’s role requires constant collaboration—with clinicians, technologists, and researchers—as he oversees blood from collection through transfusion and post-care monitoring. His work connects the lab to the bedside, and increasingly, to the battlefield.

DeVan’s military assignments have included roles as a staff pathologist and medical director at the Pacific Command Armed Services Blood Center and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He’s served as a Department of Defense representative to the FDA’s Blood Products Advisory Committee and as a consultant to the Armed Services Blood Program.

He also completed a clinical fellowship in transfusion medicine at the National Institutes of Health and holds subspecialty certification in blood banking. In short, he’s one of the military’s go-to experts on blood.

His current research at USU—conducted alongside Dr. Vincent Ho, chair of the Department of Radiology—aims to push the boundaries of what's possible in operational medicine. Together, they are exploring the development of on-demand blood products using a biological cell generator.

“I’m going to delve into potential applications of this cell production in the realm of blood transfusion,” DeVan explains. “Our goal is to develop a product that could actually be utilized by the military as a transfused blood product. We’re researching things like storage options, how long it would last, how well it delivers oxygen, etc. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.”

The implications are significant. On-demand, universally compatible blood could dramatically reduce the logistical strain of collecting, storing, and shipping units—especially into forward or remote locations.

“It’s difficult to send blood into austere environments and store it,” DeVan explains. “But an on-demand blood product that could be put on a platform—like a ship or forward medical post—would be far more efficient than collecting, freezing, shipping, and thawing blood on either end.”

“There’s never enough blood,” he adds. “But there are a lot of logistical issues we could do away with if we’re able to produce a viable, on-the-fly, on-demand source.”

Beyond easing supply chain challenges, this capability could be lifesaving in future conflicts, where access to compatible blood may be limited and speed is critical. DeVan and Ho aim to develop a shelf-stable product that would allow medics to generate fresh red blood cells onsite—potentially revolutionizing combat casualty care.

DeVan attends a combat casualty care course in San Antonio, Texas.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael DeVan, USU)

Preparing the Next Generation

In addition to research, DeVan is deeply committed to education. At USU, he teaches medical students and residents, co-directs the pathology course, and leads labs that reinforce clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, and the role of pathology in patient care.

“I love seeing students grow in their understanding of what we do and become more confident,” DeVan says. “There are basic pathology concepts that they need to know that may show up in the medical licensing exam.”

His teaching philosophy emphasizes not just the science of pathology, but its practical application—especially in military medicine. He wants students to know where to turn for answers in real-world situations.

“A really important part of what has to happen in medical school,” he shares, “is for students to learn exactly who does what and how that information can assist them in obtaining what they need for their patients. When you move forward in an operational environment, you need to find that person who can help you because that individual will have the knowledge you need.”

He’s also working to connect clinical pathology residents and students in the Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) program—the military’s only training pipeline for blood bank medical officers—with USU researchers. The goal: integrate training, research, and readiness in one ecosystem.

He stresses the importance of introducing students to the broader healthcare team, including lab technicians. “It’s necessary to be aware of people from different fields and specialties, as well as support people,” he notes. “Students learn that people are a most valuable resource.”

DeVan and family in the Galapagos Islands. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael DeVan, USU)

Science, Service, and Purpose

DeVan chose pathology because it brings together disciplines like anatomy, physiology, and histology, helping clinicians understand the underlying mechanisms of disease. He relishes the opportunity to dig into what others might overlook.

As he puts it, “Pathology is one of the most important subjects in medical school because it’s fundamental to understanding disease.”

Despite the long hours and constant challenges, DeVan finds his work fulfilling—because it matters. His career has been shaped by a mission larger than himself: saving lives through science, teaching those who serve, and advancing the future of military medicine.

“For me,” he reflects, “transfusion medicine is a collaborative bridge between the lab and patient care—all of which I’m glad to be a part of.”