Faculty

Interim Chair

E. Richard Stanley, Ph.D.

E. Richard Stanley, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Interim Chair Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Renée E. and Robert A. Belfer Chair in Developmental Biology

718.430.2344

Areas of Research: The role of CSF-1 receptor and its ligands, CSF-1 and IL-34, in development, physiology and disease, with special emphasis on the role of the receptor in regulation of microglia in brain.

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Tenure Track Faculty

Nicholas E. Baker, Ph.D.

Nicholas E. Baker, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Genetics

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Genetics

Director, Department of Genetics Division of Molecular Genetics

718.430.2854

Areas of Research: Cell-cell communication is the key process that makes complex life possible, enabling cells to follow different fates. Our current interests include cell competition, ribosome signaling mechanisms, and neuronal development.

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Teresa V. Bowman, Ph.D.

Teresa V. Bowman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Associate Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

718.430.4001

Areas of Research: Mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cells formation and regeneration; pre-mRNA splicing regulation of hematopoiesis; identification of novel therapeutics for myelodysplastic syndrome

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Wei Chen, M.D., M.S.

Wei Chen, M.D., M.S.

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Nephrology)

Associate Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Areas of Research: Vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease; calciprotein particles; disorders of mineral metabolism (calcium, phosphate, magnesium) in chronic kidney disease; cellular interaction; chronic metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease

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Dianne Cox, Ph.D.

Dianne Cox, Ph.D.

718.430.3019

Areas of Research: Macrophages are important in immune function but they can also play negative roles, such as in chronic inflammatory disease, and in cancer progression. Our lab studies the mechanisms of macrophage recruitment and function.

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Ana Maria Cuervo, M.D., Ph.D.

Ana Maria Cuervo, M.D., Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicine (Hepatology)

Robert and Renée Belfer Chair for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases

718.430.2689

Areas of Research: Understanding the molecular basis of malfunctioning of autophagy (cellular quality control system) with age and the contribution of defects on this cellular pathway to age-related disorders such as neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders and cancer.

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Meelad M. Dawlaty, Ph.D.

Meelad M. Dawlaty, Ph.D.

718.678.1224

Areas of Research: (1) Embryonic stem cell biology, lineage specification and development. (2) Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in stem cells (3) DNA methylation and demethylation in stem cells, development and cancer.

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Sofia de Oliveira, Ph.D.

Sofia de Oliveira, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Hepatology)

718.430.4294

Areas of Research: Our lab studies neutrophils and their role in disease progression. We are particularly interested in unveiling how the presence of systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation found in metainflammation and inflammaging settings alter the neutrophils

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Antonio Di Cristofano, Ph.D.

Antonio Di Cristofano, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

718.678.1137

Areas of Research: Cancer Biology; utilizing in vivo models to study signaling pathways altered in advanced thyroid cancer; development of novel therapeutic strategies based on the tumor molecular landscape; tumor/microenvironment interaction

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Carolina Eliscovich, Ph.D.

Carolina Eliscovich, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Hepatology)

Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

718.430.3644

Areas of Research: We study the biology of spatially organized mRNAs in the liver. We develop microscopy technology using fluorescent-labeled probes to in situ visualize single molecules of mRNA within cells and tissue with high spatiotemporal resolution.

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Andreas Jenny, Ph.D.

Andreas Jenny, Ph.D.

718.430.4183

Areas of Research: Endosomal Microautophagy in development and disease. Lysosomal acidification Rho Kinase in spermatogenesis.

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Regina M. Kuliawat, Ph.D.

Regina M. Kuliawat, Ph.D.

718.430.8686

Areas of Research: Areas of research: insulin granule biogenesis and mechanisms that determine content and secretion competence, how drugs/pathogens target granule behavior/insulin availability, impact of obesity on granule protein trafficking

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David M. Loeb, M.D., Ph.D.

David M. Loeb, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Hematology-Oncology)

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Chief, Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Hematology / Oncology

Linda and Earle Altman Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research

718.920.4664

Areas of Research: Dr. Loeb has a translational research laboratory focused on the biology and treatment of bone tumor metastasis, especially the role of Wnt signaling pathways. Other areas of interest include the role of the RNA helicase, DDX3, in bone sarcomas and the met

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Anne Muesch, Ph.D.

Anne Muesch, Ph.D.

718.430.3508

Areas of Research: We are using cell biological approaches and epithelial organoid and primary cell cultures to understand signaling mechanisms that govern the establishment and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity and their relevance for morphogenesis and cell transform

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Dario F. Riascos Bernal, M.D., Ph.D.

Dario F. Riascos Bernal, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)

Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

718.430.3389

Areas of Research: Molecular mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell biology that drive cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death worldwide. Emphasis on restenosis, atherosclerosis, and acute coronary syndrome.

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Michael J. Ross, M.D.

Michael J. Ross, M.D.

718.430.8768

Areas of Research: HIV-related kidney diseases Apolipoprotein L1 nephropathies Renal epithelial injury Podocyte injury Innate immunity Antiretroviral toxicity

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Aditi Shastri, M.B.B.S.

Aditi Shastri, M.B.B.S.

Associate Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

Associate Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

718.920.4826

Areas of Research: acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, cancer stem cells, transcription factors, STAT3, RNA biology and therapeutic interference, health disparities

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Nicholas E.S. Sibinga, M.D.

Nicholas E.S. Sibinga, M.D.

Professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Charles and Tamara Krasne Faculty Scholar in Cardiovascular Research

718.430.2881

Areas of Research: Basic mechanisms of vascular remodeling and obstruction, including relevant inflammatory, metabolic, and signaling pathways, with evaluation via mouse models of vascular injury, graft vascular disease, and atherosclerosis.

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Amit K. Verma, M.B.B.S.

Amit K. Verma, M.B.B.S.

Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Director, Division of Hemato-Oncology Montefiore Department of Oncology

Associate Director, Translational Science Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

718.430.8761

Areas of Research: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are hematologic malignancies characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. We study the molecular pathogenesis of MDS to identify targetable pathways for treatment of this disease.

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Duncan W. Wilson, Ph.D.

Duncan W. Wilson, Ph.D.

718.430.2305

Areas of Research: Cell biology of neurotropic viruses. Mechanisms of assembly and motor-driven traffic of viruses in neurons and axons. Super-resolution imaging and correlative light and electron microscopy of viruses in fractionated neurons.

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Allan W. Wolkoff, M.D.

Allan W. Wolkoff, M.D.

Professor, Department of Medicine (Hepatology)

Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Associate Chair for Research Department of Medicine

Herman Lopata Chair in Liver Disease Research

Chief, Department of Medicine Division of Hepatology

Director, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center

718.430.3798

Areas of Research: Hepatocyte cell biology: mechanisms of microtubule-based subcellular trafficking of transporters and receptors including the roles of molecular motors and accessory proteins

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Fajun Yang, Ph.D.

Fajun Yang, Ph.D.

718.678.1142

Areas of Research: Regulation of gene transcription, lipid and glucose metabolism, hepatocyte and adipocyte biology, metabolic diseases

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Emeriti

Ruth H. Angeletti, Ph.D.

Ruth H. Angeletti, Ph.D.

718.430.3475

Areas of Research: proteomics for basic and translational research

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Adjunct Faculty

Paul T. Jubinsky, M.D., Ph.D.

Paul T. Jubinsky, M.D., Ph.D.

718.430.4352

Areas of Research: Magmas regulation Mitochondrial protein import Oxidative phosphorylation Chemotherapy resistance

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Rajat Singh, M.D.,

Rajat Singh, M.D.,

Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology)

Adjunct Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

310.206.0517

Areas of Research: We are interested in understanding the roles of autophagy in metabolic regulation in physiology, during obesity, and with age.

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Josefa Steinhauer, Ph.D.

Josefa Steinhauer, Ph.D.

212.960.5400

Areas of Research: Drosophila genetics and cell biology, aging, and lipidomics

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Margarita Vigodner, Ph.D.

Margarita Vigodner, Ph.D.

212.340.7769

Areas of Research: Posttranslational modifications in testicular cells. Email: vigodner@yu.edu

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Non-tenure Track Faculty

Susmita Kaushik, Ph.D.

Susmita Kaushik, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

718.430.2092

Areas of Research: Autophagy, Aging, Protein degradation, Lysosomes, Lipid droplets, Adipose tissue

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Hongling Zhao, Ph.D.

Hongling Zhao, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

718.430.2202

Areas of Research: The roles and mechanisms of pRb-Skp2-p27 pathway in development and tumorigenesis; Identification of targeted therapeutics for prostate and lung cancers.

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Rongbao Zhao, Ph.D.

Rongbao Zhao, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Research Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

718.430.2594

Areas of Research: The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT, SLC46A1): its physiological and pharmacological roles and its structure-function relationship

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Yiyu Zou, Ph.D.

Yiyu Zou, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology & Hematology)

718.430.4146

Areas of Research: Areas of research Cancer biology: mechanisms of inhaled carcinogen-induced lung carcinogenesis, discovery of molecular targets of premalignancy and malignancy for risk assessment, and development of novel therapeutic methods.

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Instructors

Associates

Amit Kumar, Ph.D.

Amit Kumar, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist, Department of Genetics

718.430.2855

Areas of Research: My research focuses on understanding the role of cell competition, genomic instability, and the ribosome signaling network in cancer.

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Francisco Lazaro-Dieguez, Ph.D.

Francisco Lazaro-Dieguez, Ph.D.

718.430.3509

Areas of Research: Cell biology; protein trafficking and cell polarity development in hepatocytes.

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