Faculty Research Topics

Michael Berney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
michael.berney@einsteinmed.edu

Mycobacterium tuberculosis metabolic plasticity; drug target discovery; microbial biochemistry in the host-pathogen context

John Chan, M.D.
Professor
john.chan@einsteinmed.edu

Pathogenesis of TB; tuberculous granuloma; TB latency and reactivation; development of TB vaccines

David Goldman, M.D.
Associate Professor
david.goldman@einsteinmed.edu

Fungal pathogenesis; Cryptococcus neoformans; asthma; anthrax

Claudia Gravekamp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
claudia.gravekamp@einsteinmed.edu

Listeria monocytogenes; metastatic breast cancer; tumor immunology; Listeria-based cancer vaccines

William Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor
william.jacobs@einsteinmed.edu

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetics; mycobacteriophages; extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB); tuberculosis vaccines; mechanism of isoniazid action

Michelle Larsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
michelle.larsen@einsteinmed.edu

TB vaccine development, Drug-resistant TB, Rapid TB diagnostics, Wildlife and livestock TB, Mycobacterial genetics

Thomas Leyh, Ph.D.
Professor
tom.leyh@einsteinmed.edu

Mechanisms of sulfate activation in Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Kerry Murphy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
kerry.murphy@einsteinmed.edu

Impacts of HIV and aging on vaginal mucosal immunity and the vaginal microbiome; host-microbiome interactions in the female genital tract, genetic predictors of bacterial vaginosis

David Goldman, M.D.
Associate Professor
david.goldman@einsteinmed.edu

Fungal pathogenesis; Cryptococcus neoformans; asthma; anthrax

Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D.
Professor
josh.nosanchuk@einsteinmed.edu

Fungal pathogenesis; histoplasmosis; lipid biology in Candida; antimicrobial therapeutics

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D.
Professor
pirofski@einsteinmed.edu

Immunity to encapsulated pathogens; antibody immunity; vaccine development

Johanna Daily, M.D.
Professor
johanna.daily@einsteinmed.edu

Plasmodium falciparum; novel in vivo parasite biology; virulence determinants; host response to malaria infection

Joan Berman, Ph.D.
Professor
joan.berman@einsteinmed.edu

Mechanisms of NeuroAIDS: HIV associated neurocognitive disorders; HIV/host interactions; leukocyte transmigration across the blood-brain barrier

Eva Billerbeck, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
eva.billerbeck@einsteinmed.edu

Antiviral immunity, liver immunology, viral hepatitis

Robert Burk, M.D.
Professor
robert.burk@einsteinmed.edu

Papillomavirus pathogenesis and evolution; monkey model of papillomavirus cervical carcinogenesis; genetic basis of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis); inherited contribution to prostate cancer

Kartik Chandran, Ph.D.
Professor
kartik.chandran@einsteinmed.edu

Ebola and Marburg virus entry into cells; virus-host interactions; viral genetics; antivirals

Felipe Diaz-Griffero, Ph.D.
Professor
felipe.diaz-griffero@einsteinmed.edu

Biochemistry of HIV-1 uncoating; innate immunity against HIV-1 and other retroviruses; mechanistic studies on retroviral restriction factors

Harris Goldstein, M.D.
Professor
harris.goldstein@einsteinmed.edu

HIV pathogenesis; TCR structure-function analysis; genetic programming of specific protective immune responses; genetic manipulation of transplanted beta cells to resist rejection

Larry Herbst, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor
larry.herbst@einsteinmed.edu

Animal models of infectious disease; effects of adventitious infections on research; novel transforming viruses

Betsy Herold, M.D.
Professor
betsy.herold@einsteinmed.edu

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection; synergy between HSV and HIV; microbicide development; genital tract mucosal immunity

William Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor
william.jacobs@einsteinmed.edu

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetics; mycobacteriophages; extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB); tuberculosis vaccines; mechanism of isoniazid action

Ganjam Kalpana, Ph.D.
Professor
ganjam.kalpana@einsteinmed.edu

HIV-1 host-virus interaction; rhabdoid tumors biology; INI1/hSNF5 tumor suppressor mechanisms; novel therapeutic strategies for rhabdoid tumors

Jack Lenz, Ph.D.
Professor
jack.lenz@einsteinmed.edu

Molecular genetics of retroviral diseases

Vinayaka Prasad, Ph.D.
Professor
vinayaka.prasad@einsteinmed.edu

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase; aptamer therapeutics for HIV/AIDS; viral determinants of HIV-associated dementia

Jinan Behnan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
jinan.behnan@einsteinmed.edu

Brain tumor stroma; Glioblastoma, mesenchymal stem cells/perivascular progenitors, Macrophages; immunotherapy; checkpoint inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors

Eva Billerbeck, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
eva.billerbeck@einsteinmed.edu

Antiviral immunity, liver immunology, viral hepatitis

Felipe Diaz-Griffero, Ph.D.
Professor
felipe.diaz-griffero@einsteinmed.edu

Biochemistry of HIV-1 uncoating; innate immunity against HIV-1 and other retroviruses; mechanistic studies on retroviral restriction factors

Teresa DiLorenzo, Ph.D.
Professor
teresa.dilorenzo@einsteinmed.edu

Immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; autoimmunity; humanized mouse models; T cells; immunology

David Fooksman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
david.fooksman@einsteinmed.edu

In vivo plasma cell differentiation, migration, and physiology; multiple myeloma; Intra-vital multi-photon imaging

Nikolaos Frangogiannis, M.D.
Professor
nikolaos.frangogiannis@einsteinmed.edu

Myocardial inflammation and repair, cardiac fibrosis, chemokines, TGF-beta signaling, matricellular proteins

George Karagiannis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
georgios.karagiannis@einsteinmed.edu

Tumor-Associated Macrophages, Chemokine Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment, Mechanisms of Tumor Immunosuppression, Chemotherapy-Induced Thymic Involution

Grégoire Lauvau, Ph.D.
Professor
gregoire.lauvau@einsteinmed.edu

Protective immunological memory; antimicrobial immunity in vivo; effector functions; microbial pathogenesis

Angela Lombardi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
angela.lombardi@einsteinmed.edu

Autoimmune diseases; immunobiology; humanized mouse models; drug target discovery; antigen processing and presentation; T cells; immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; immunopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

Kerry Murphy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
kerry.murphy@einsteinmed.edu

Impacts of HIV and aging on vaginal mucosal immunity and the vaginal microbiome; host-microbiome interactions in the female genital tract, genetic predictors of bacterial vaginosis

Steven Porcelli, M.D.
Professor and Chair
steven.porcelli@einsteinmed.edu

Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; immune evasion by mycobacteria; human and mouse Natural Killer T cells; lipid antigen presentation by CD1

Laura Santambrogio, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
laura.santambrogio@einsteinmed.edu

Dendritic cell immunobiology; antigen processing and presentation; endosomal compartments

Xingxing Zang, M.Med., Ph.D.
Professor
xingxing.zang@einsteinmed.edu

T cell costimulation and coinhibition; cancer; autoimmune diseases; infection

Teresa DiLorenzo, Ph.D.
Professor
teresa.dilorenzo@einsteinmed.edu

Immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; autoimmunity; humanized mouse models; T cells; immunology

Harris Goldstein, M.D.
Professor
harris.goldstein@einsteinmed.edu

HIV pathogenesis; TCR structure-function analysis; genetic programming of specific protective immune responses; genetic manipulation of transplanted beta cells to resist rejection

Angela Lombardi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
angela.lombardi@einsteinmed.edu

Autoimmune diseases; immunobiology; humanized mouse models; drug target discovery; antigen processing and presentation; T cells; immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; immunopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

Chaim Putterman, M.D.
Professor
chaim.putterman@einsteinmed.edu

Systemic lupus erythematosus; lupus nephritis; anti-DNA antibodies; autoimmunity

Yaron Tomer, M.D., FACP.
Professor
ytomer@montefiore.org

Immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, immunopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis, epigenetics of type 1 diabetes, epigenetics of autoimmune thyroiditis, environmental triggers of type 1 diabetes

Jinan Behnan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
jinan.behnan@einsteinmed.edu

Brain tumor stroma; Glioblastoma, mesenchymal stem cells/perivascular progenitors, Macrophages; immunotherapy; checkpoint inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors

Johanna Daily, M.D.
Professor
johanna.daily@einsteinmed.edu

Plasmodium falciparum; novel in vivo parasite biology; virulence determinants; host response to malaria infection

Teresa DiLorenzo, Ph.D.
Professor
teresa.dilorenzo@einsteinmed.edu

Immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; autoimmunity; humanized mouse models; T cells; immunology

David Fooksman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
david.fooksman@einsteinmed.edu

In vivo plasma cell differentiation, migration, and physiology; multiple myeloma; Intra-vital multi-photon imaging

Nikolaos Frangogiannis, M.D.
Professor
nikolaos.frangogiannis@einsteinmed.edu

Myocardial inflammation and repair, cardiac fibrosis, chemokines, TGF-beta signaling, matricellular proteins

David Goldman, M.D.
Associate Professor
david.goldman@einsteinmed.edu

Fungal pathogenesis; Cryptococcus neoformans; asthma; anthrax

Claudia Gravekamp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
claudia.gravekamp@einsteinmed.edu

Listeria monocytogenes; metastatic breast cancer; tumor immunology; Listeria-based cancer vaccines

Betsy Herold, M.D.
Professor
betsy.herold@einsteinmed.edu

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection; synergy between HSV and HIV; microbicide development; genital tract mucosal immunity

Elina Jerschow, M.D.
Associate Professor
elina.jerschow@einsteinmed.edu

Immunopathogenesis of aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)

George Karagiannis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
georgios.karagiannis@einsteinmed.edu

Tumor-Associated Macrophages, Chemokine Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment, Mechanisms of Tumor Immunosuppression, Chemotherapy-Induced Thymic Involution

Libusha Kelly, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
libusha.kelly@einsteinmed.edu

We study how ecosystem-level genetic variability influences adaptive responses to dynamic environments.

Michelle Larsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
michelle.larsen@einsteinmed.edu

TB vaccine development, Drug-resistant TB, Rapid TB diagnostics, Wildlife and livestock TB, Mycobacterial genetics

Angela Lombardi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
angela.lombardi@einsteinmed.edu

Autoimmune diseases; immunobiology; humanized mouse models; drug target discovery; antigen processing and presentation; T cells; immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes; immunopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

Allison Martin, M.D.
Assistant Professor
allison.martin@einsteinmed.edu

Tumor immunology of CNS tumors: immune checkpoint molecules, oncogenic drivers, translational therapeutics, syngeneic mouse models

Kerry Murphy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
kerry.murphy@einsteinmed.edu

Impacts of HIV and aging on vaginal mucosal immunity and the vaginal microbiome; host-microbiome interactions in the female genital tract, genetic predictors of bacterial vaginosis

Chaim Putterman, M.D.
Professor
chaim.putterman@einsteinmed.edu

Systemic lupus erythematosus; lupus nephritis; anti-DNA antibodies; autoimmunity

David Rosenstreich, M.D.
Professor
david.rosenstreich@einsteinmed.edu

Chronic urticaria treatment; asthma epidemiology; chronic sinusitis epidemiology; immunological effects of mercury

Arye Rubinstein, M.D.
Professor
arye.rubinstein@einsteinmed.edu

Common variable immunodeficiency; primary immunodeficiency; HIV infection

Laura Santambrogio, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
laura.santambrogio@einsteinmed.edu

Dendritic cell immunobiology; antigen processing and presentation; endosomal compartments

Jinan Behnan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
jinan.behnan@einsteinmed.edu

Brain tumor stroma; Glioblastoma, mesenchymal stem cells/perivascular progenitors, Macrophages; immunotherapy; checkpoint inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors

Joan Berman, Ph.D.
Professor
joan.berman@einsteinmed.edu

Mechanisms of NeuroAIDS: HIV associated neurocognitive disorders; HIV/host interactions; leukocyte transmigration across the blood-brain barrier

John Chan, M.D.
Professor
john.chan@einsteinmed.edu

Pathogenesis of TB; tuberculous granuloma; TB latency and reactivation; development of TB vaccines

Kartik Chandran, Ph.D.
Professor
kartik.chandran@einsteinmed.edu

Ebola and Marburg virus entry into cells; structure and function of viral fusion glycoproteins; virus-host interactions; viral genetics; antivirals

Johanna Daily, M.D.
Professor
johanna.daily@einsteinmed.edu

Plasmodium falciparum; novel in vivo parasite biology; virulence determinants; host response to malaria infection

Harris Goldstein, M.D.
Professor
harris.goldstein@einsteinmed.edu

HIV pathogenesis; TCR structure-function analysis; genetic programming of specific protective immune responses; genetic manipulation of transplanted beta cells to resist rejection

Claudia Gravekamp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
claudia.gravekamp@einsteinmed.edu

Listeria monocytogenes; metastatic breast cancer; tumor immunology; Listeria-based cancer vaccines

Betsy Herold, M.D.
Professor
betsy.herold@einsteinmed.edu

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection; synergy between HSV and HIV; microbicide development; genital tract mucosal immunity

William Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor
william.jacobs@einsteinmed.edu

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetics; mycobacteriophages; extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB); tuberculosis vaccines; mechanism of isoniazid action

Ganjam Kalpana, Ph.D.
Professor
ganjam.kalpana@einsteinmed.edu

HIV-1 host-virus interaction; rhabdoid tumors biology; INI1/hSNF5 tumor suppressor mechanisms; novel therapeutic strategies for rhabdoid tumors

Michelle Larsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
michelle.larsen@einsteinmed.edu

TB vaccine development, Drug-resistant TB, Rapid TB diagnostics, Wildlife and livestock TB, Mycobacterial genetics

Grégoire Lauvau, Ph.D.
Professor
gregoire.lauvau@einsteinmed.edu

Protective immunological memory; antimicrobial immunity in vivo; effector functions; microbial pathogenesis

Jack Lenz, Ph.D.
Professor
jack.lenz@einsteinmed.edu

Molecular genetics of retroviral diseases

Thomas Leyh, Ph.D.
Professor
tom.leyh@einsteinmed.edu

Mechanisms of sulfate activation in Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D.
Professor
josh.nosanchuk@einsteinmed.edu

Fungal pathogenesis; histoplasmosis; lipid biology in Candida; antimicrobial therapeutics

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D.
Professor
pirofski@einsteinmed.edu

Immunity to encapsulated pathogens; antibody immunity; vaccine development

Steven Porcelli, M.D.
Professor and Chair
steven.porcelli@einsteinmed.edu

Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; immune evasion by mycobacteria; human and mouse Natural Killer T cells; lipid antigen presentation by CD1

Vinayaka Prasad, Ph.D.
Professor
vinayaka.prasad@einsteinmed.edu

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase; aptamer therapeutics for HIV/AIDS; viral determinants of HIV-associated dementia

Xingxing Zang, M.Med., Ph.D.
Professor
xingxing.zang@einsteinmed.edu

T cell costimulation and coinhibition; cancer; autoimmune diseases; infection