Dr Catherine Koleda
Many people who are admitted to hospital will need the services of a pathologist, but as a patient you will probably never get to meet one. A pathologist is a doctor who looks at body tissue or fluids and makes a diagnosis based on what they see or measure.
Dr Catherine Koleda
Pathologist Dr Catherine Koleda works in the pathology department at Wellington hospital.
Pathologists work behind the scenes and are vital in making diagnoses such as if a biopsy shows signs of cancer. Rather than basing a diagnosis on the symptoms of the patient they look closely at specific cells and can tell not only if your cells are cancerous but also whether the cancer is malignant or benign, and therefore what the best treatment is likely to be.
Science knowledge and processes advance with technology
Our knowledge about our world is aided by the use of technology. Technological advances enable scientists to develop processes to further knowledge. For example, subtle differences in cell structure can be detected because of the use of dyes and the increasing power of microscopes. Science often relies on observable evidence.
Dr Catherine Koleda undertook and completed her anatomical pathology training for the Capital and Coast District Health Board in the pathology department at Wellington Hospital.
As doctors can not treat a patient until they know what the diagnosis is Dr Koleda must be able to make crucial judgements under pressure. She must also be sure of her diagnosis as a misdiagnosis could result in some very unpleasant, unnecessary treatment, or worse, have a patient with cancer who goes untreated. Despite these pressures Catherine really enjoys her work.
Pathology is fascinating, the human body is fascinating, and it is a very visual subject. I really like understanding the body in terms of what cells and tissue look like.
What does a pathologist do?
Dr Catherine Koleda talks about what a pathologist does and how she came to be one.
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“Very often a patient who comes to hospital is sick and cannot be treated until they have a diagnosis. So I like that about [pathology], I know I am doing something important.”
A cancer cell is different in appearance to a normal cell. By staining the cells with a variety of dyes and markers these subtle changes can be made more visible, but to an untrained person these differences may be difficult to see. A skilled pathologist must be able to detect a tiny number of cancerous cells in a background of thousands of normal cells. A good eye, experience and a good knowledge of what makes a cancer cell are important for a good pathologist.
How do you get to be a pathologist?
Dr Catherine Koleda talks about how you can become a pathologist. If you have an interest in learning about science, you might make a good pathologist, too.
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During her training and early work as a pathologist, Dr Koleda held a variety of positions, including Lecturer in Pathology at the University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine and Honorary Secretary of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.
As of 2026, Dr Koleda is an Anatomical Pathologist at Awanui Labs. Her professional interests include breast, gynaecological and lymphoma pathology as well as cytology.
Related content
Read more about cancer risk factors. Various imaging methods are used to help with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Learn about different skin cancers:
Meet Dr Kimiora Hēnare, a cancer researcher who studies the complex biology of tumours in efforts to harness the immune system to fight cancer.
Activity ideas
In these activities students can explore cancer screening and diagnosis, the characteristics of normal and cancerous cells and cancer definitions.
Useful links
Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency is a government agency created in recognition of the impact cancer has on the lives of New Zealanders.
See the statistical publications and data sets on cancer on the Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora website.
Find out more about cancer with the New Zealand Cancer Society.
Below are some organisations involved in cancer research in New Zealand:
The SunSmart website has a number of resources to help schools.
This article is based on information current in 2008 and updated in 2026.
