Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., aa900@columbia.edu The molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and the function and survival of dopamine receptors. We are studying the molecular bases of midbrain dopamine neuron function and survival. Midbrain dopamine neurons are thought to play a key role in learned and addictive behaviors, and degeneration of these neurons underlies Parkinson’s disease.
Rondo Allikmets, Ph.D. rla22@columbia.edu The molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and the function and survival of dopamine receptors.
Bashir Alobeid, M.D. ba2024@columbia.edu Pathology of leukemia and lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Normal precursor B-cells (hematogones) and leukemia in children.
Richard Ambron, Ph.D., rta1@columbia.edu Signals that mediate changes in transcription following nerve injury.
Ernest W. April, Ph.D., ewa1@columbia.edu Clinical anatomy.
Ottavio Arancio, M.D., Ph.D., oa1@columbia.edu Mechanisms underlying changes of synaptic function associated with cognitive impairment.
Richard Axel, M.D., ra27@columbia.edu Defining the logic of olfactory perception.
Richard Baer, Ph.D., rb670@columbia.edu BRCA1 and BARD1 function in breast cancer.
Jonathan M. Barasch, M.D., Ph.D., jmb4@columbia.edu Epithelial cells of the kidney derive from mesenchymal cells and form the nephron, the functional unit of the organ. The conversion of mesenchyme into epithelia is controlled by the ureteric bud. Our work is dedicated to identifying signals from the ureteric bud that induce cell conversion, the cellular mechanisms that lead to the epithelial phenotype (de-novo), and the identification of the progenitors of the organ.
Jeannette Chloe Bulinski, Ph.D., jcb4@columbia.edu Differentiation of cytoskeletal elements during morphogenesis. Expression and post-translational modifications of microtubule-associated proteins and tubulin functioning in mitosis and in skeletal and heart muscle differentiation.
Lorraine N. Clark, Ph.D., lc654@columbia.edu Molecular genetics of Parkinson’s Disease.
Vivette D’Agati, M.D., vdd1@columbia.edu Histologic, immunopathologic and ultrastructural studies of medical diseases of the kidney. Research projects include murine model of polycystic kidney disease, and clinical pathologic studies of HIV nephropathy, lupus, nephritis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy.
Riccardo Dalla-Favera, M.D., rd10@columbia.edu The general goal of this laboratory is to elucidate the pathogenesis of cancer. We focus on lymphoid malignancies and on the identification of genes that control B cell development and are altered in lymphoma. Altered genes, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, are studied for their normal and pathologic functions using in vitro molecular biological assays as well as transgenic mouse models.
Thomas Diacovo, M.D., td2142@columbia.edu Publications from research include, “Mechanics of transient platelet adhesion to von Willebrand factor under flow.” and “Adhesive mechanisms governing IPC recruitment into Lymph Nodes.”
Gilbert Di Paolo, Ph.D., dg2175@columbia.edu Role of phosphoinositides in organelle trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics and disease-related processes.
Fiona Doetsch, Ph.D., fkd2101@columbia.edu Neural stem cells and their niche in the adult mammalian brain.
Andrew J. Dwork, M.D., ajd6@columbia.edu The study of neuroanatomic correlates of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders and suicide, and the causes of cognitive impairment among individuals suffering from these disorders. Of related interest are the neuroanatomic effects of external influences, such as chronic hospitalization, somatic treatments, and intellectual stimulation.
Phyllis L. Faust, M.D., Ph.D., plf3@columbia.edu Investigation of human neuronal migration disorders. We have utilized gene targeting to develop a mouse model for the peroxisomal biogenesis disorder Zellweger syndrome and characterizing the central nervous system abnormalities that develop in these mice with morphologic, molecular and biochemical methods.
Greg A. Freyer, Ph.D., gaf1@columbia.edu Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Repair of UV damaged DNA and the regulation of this process.
Michael D. Gershon, M.D., mgd4@columbia.edu Neurobiology, neuroanatomy and developmental neurobiology. A variety of studies concerning the enteric neuronal systems, from the migration of neural crest neuroblasts to the gut, to tissue interactions in development which lead to congenital megacolon.
James E. Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., jeg5@columbia.edu Cellular and molecular studies of astrocyte and oligodendrocyte development and myelination; glial responses to pathological states, including demyelinating diseases; regulation and function of heat shock proteins in CNS glia; cytoskeletal proteins of neurons and glia; neurodegenerative diseases.
Ellen Greenebaum, M.D., eg39@columbia.edu Cytopathology with special emphasis on Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, especially of thyroid, head and neck and ovarian cysts.
Lloyd A. Greene, Ph.D., lag3@columbia.edu Cellular and molecular biology of neuronal development. Studies on the molecular mechanisms by which neurotrophic factors regulate neuronal differentiation and death. Investigations of the causes and prevention of neuronal cell death and degeneration.
Wei Gu, Ph.D., wg8@columbia.edu Molecular mechanisms by which p53 mediates tumor suppression and responses to cellular stress.
Gregg G. Gundersen, Ph.D., ggg1@columbia.edu Cell Biology. Cytoskeletal dynamics in cell motility and cell polarization. Role of microtubules in organelle transport.
Diane Hamele-Bena, M.D., dh129@columbia.edu Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology, with special interest in the pathology of breast diseases. Also involved in using multimedia tools in medical education.
Arthur P. Hays, M.D., aph1@columbia.edu Morphologic methods are used to study peripheral nerve in motor neuron diseases, diabetic neuropathy and autoimmune neuropathies.
Christopher E. Henderson, Ph.D., ch2331@columbia.edu Work in the lab focuses on the study of motor neuron development as an approach to understanding and analyzing mechanisms underlying ALS and SMA.
Hanina Hibshoosh, M.D., hhh1@columbia.edu Surgical pathology, breast and soft tissue tumors. Molecular pathogenesis of breast tumors as well as evaluation of prognostic factors related to breast cancer utilizing image and molecular analysis.
Harold S. Kaplan, M.D., hsk18@columbia.edu Research on human error in medicine, its prevention and management.
Richard H. Kessin, Ph.D., rhk2@columbia.edu Molecular Biology and Genetics. Gene regulation and development in simple organisms. Specific proteolysis during development. Evolution of developmental strategies.
Tae Wan Kim, Ph.D., twk16@columbia.edu Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). A significant portion of AD is caused by the inheritance of certain defective genes. Mutations in the genes encoding the presenilins (PS1 and PS2) cause the majority of early-onset cases of FAD. The central focus of our research is to define the precise molecular steps by which defects in presenilin genes lead to the characteristic pathogenesis and molecular phenotypes associated with FAD.
Jan Kitajewski, Ph.D., jkk9@columbia.edu Wnt and Notch genes in tumorigenesis and vascular development.
Jay H. Lefkowitch, M.D., jhl3@columbia.edu Histopathological and ultrastructural studies of diseases of the liver. Special areas of interest include pathology of hepatitis C virus infection, the liver in AIDS, and biliary tract diseases.
Ronald K.H. Liem, Ph.D., rkl2@columbia.edu Cellular and molecular neurobiology. Studies concerning the composition, organization and function of the neuronal cytoskeleton.
W. Ian Lipkin, M.D., wil2001@columbia.edu The role of infectious agents and immune responses in acute and chronic CNS disease including developmental defects, affective disorders and schizophrenia, and autism. The laboratory also focuses on the identification of new viral agents in human disease.
Thomas Ludwig, Ph.D., rjl2128@columbia.edu Functional analysis of breast cancer susceptibility genes. Our efforts are focused on molecular and genetic studies of the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for 70-80% of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. Both are thought to be tumor suppressor genes as the wild-type alleles are lost in tumors of heterozygous carriers.
Mahesh Mansukhani, M.D., mm322@columbia.edu Molecular pathology including screening and diagnosis.
Yinghui Mao, Ph.D., ym2183@columbia.edu Kinetochore microtubule attachment, chromosome movement, and mitotic checkpoint during mitosis
Charles C. Marboe, M.D., ccm1@columbia.edu Surgical pathology. Cardiac and pulmonary transplant pathology. Special interest in cardiac pathology: atrial fibrillation and remodeling after assist device placement.
Glen S. Markowitz, M.D., gsm17@columbia.edu Renal pathology utilizing light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Research interests include animal models of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, nephrotoxicity of various therapeutic agents (including lithium and pamidronate), and clinico-pathologic studies of multiple glomerular diseases including lupus nephritis, membranous glomerulopathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis.
Carol A. Mason, Ph.D., cam4@columbia.edu Developmental neurobiology. Axonal growth cone interactions with pathways, and with target cells; development of synaptic connections.
Umrao R. Monani, Ph.D., um2105@columbia.edu Spinal muscular atrophy-translating basic findings into a potential treatment.
Letty Moss-Salentijn, D.D.S., Ph.D., lm23@columbia.edu Prenatal growth and development of the facial complex. Growth dynamics of the postcranial skeleton with special emphasis on endochondral ossification processes in long bone growth.
Vundavalli Murty, Ph.D., vvm2@columbia.edu Major focus of this laboratory is to understand the genetic basis of male germ cell tumors and carcinoma of cervix uteri. General interest is to utilize cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic methods in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.
David Michael Owens, Ph.D., do2112@columbia.edu Our overall focus is to determine the contributions of stem cells and differentiated cells to the development of epidermal squamous cancer.
Kathleen M. O’Toole, M.D., kmo2@columbia.edu Pathology of the male genital and urinary tracts, with an emphasis on neoplasms. Clinicopathologic studies of these entities, utilizing immunohistochemical techniques.
Ramon Parsons, M.D., Ph.D., rep15@columbia.edu Our lab focuses on the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, which is mutated in a variety of cancers. We are attempting to determine its role in regulating tumor growth.
Karl H. Perzin, M.D., khp1@columbia.edu Clinocopathologic study of breast biopsy specimens to determine if precursor lesions to breast carcinoma can be identified. Clinocopathologic studies of various tumors of the head and neck region, and of the gastrointestinal tract, including immunohistologic studies.
Michael A. Pesce, Ph.D., map8@columbia.edu Clinical Chemistry: Studies that determine the sensitivity and specificity of the biochemical markers creatine kinase MB, isoforms, creatine kinase MB, troponin and myoglobin in the assessment of myocardial infarction and unstable angina.
Tuan D. Pham, Ph.D., tdp1@columbia.edu Developmental neurobiology. Studies of the relationship between birthdates and phenotypic expression of neurons during embryonic development using immunocytochemical, radioautographic and ultrastructural techniques.
Liza A. Pon, Ph.D., lap5@columbia.edu Cell biology. Protein import into mitochondria; control and regulation of mitochondrial movement during yeast cell growth and development; myosin I function in establishment of cell polarity.
Stephen Rayport, M.D., Ph.D., sgr1@columbia.edu Physiology and pharmacology of mesolimbic dopamine neurons examined in vitro.
Ralph Richart, M.D., rmr5@columbia.edu The pathogenesis of uterine cervical neoplasia and methodologies to detect and prevent precursor lesions.
Steven Rosenfeld, M.D., Ph.D., sr2327 Research focuses on novel ways of pharmacologically blocking brain tumor growth and invasiveness by targeting the molecular motors that drive mitosis and cell motility.
Lorna W. Role, Ph.D., lrole@aol.com Developmental regulation and modulation of ion channels expressed in central and peripheral neurons.
Heidi Rotterdam, M.D., hr19@columbia.edu Surgical Pathology. Clinicopathologic studies of gastrointestinal pathology and infectious disease processes, especially the infectious complications of AIDS.
Michael L. Shelanski, M.D., Ph.D., mls7@columbia.edu Studies on the chemistry and regulation of the cytoskeleton in cell division and in differentiation of nerve cells and astroglia. Investigations of the role of the cell surface in interactions between neurons and glial cells. Cell biological studies of degenerative neurological diseases and brain tumors.
Ann-Judith Silverman, Ph.D., as36@columbia.edu Neurobiology. Migration of neuronal and immune system cells in the CNS.
Ila Singh, M.D., Ph.D., is132@columbia.edu The mechanisms of viral infection using genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches. We use innovative, high-throughput techniques to study the processes of virus-cell interaction and viral replication. We have developed a novel technique called genetic footprinting, which allows thousands of precisely defined mutations to be made and analyzed en masse in order to define functionally essential features in the sequence of interest.
Steven Spitalnik, M.D., ss2479@columbia.edu Biology of the human glycophorin blood group antigens. Glycobiology of Toxoplasma gondii. Director of Laboratory Medicine with subspecialty expertise in transfusion medicine. Director of Clinical Laboratories at CUMC.
Gloria Huei-Ting Su, Ph.D., gs2157@columbia.edu Molecular genetics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, as well as mouse modeling for both cancer types.
Nicole Suciu-Foca, Ph.D., ns20@columbia.edu Immunogenetic studies of the immune response to HLA antigens using serology, cellular immunology and molecular biology approaches. Studies of lymphocyte receptors for growth and differentiation factors. Cell biological studies of antigen specific T suppressor cells.
Matthias J. Szabolcs, M.D., mjs59@columbia.edu My special interest is the study of myocardial damage caused by ischemia and inflammation with particular focus on nitric oxide mediated pathways. This also involves NO-related mechanisms which act during acute and chronic cardiac allograft rejection. Tissues are analyzed by molecular, biochemical and immunohistochemical means.
Ira A. Tabas, M.D., Ph.D., iat1@columbia.edu Cell biology. Pathways and enzymology of intracellular cholesterol metabolism in macrophages.
Hadassah Tamir, Ph.D., ht3@columbia.edu Mechanisms of storage and release of neurotransmitters.
Harshwardhan M. Thaker, M.D., Ph.D., ht89@columbia.edu Pediatric and perinatal pathology. Pathogenesis of stillbirth and congenital malformations. Pediatric tumor biology. Tumor and tissue banking.
C. Dominique Toran-Allerand, M.D., cdt2@columbia.edu Developmental neurobiology: Influence of sex steroids and growth factors and their interactions in the nervous system development. The distribution, responses and control of three key elements involved in estrogen action in the developing brain: the cellular target, the receptor system (mRNA and protein) and the responsive genes.
Carol Troy, M.D., Ph.D., cmt2@columbia.edu Molecular mechanisms of neuronal death in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with an emphasis on the regulation of caspase activity.
Benjamin Tycko, M.D., Ph.D., bt12@columbia.edu Molecular biological studies on genomic imprinting in human and mouse systems. Molecular genetics of pediatric tumors. Molecular genetics of Alzheimer’s disease.
Richard B. Vallee, Ph.D., rv2025@columbia.edu Dr. Vallee’s lab studies the cell and molecular biology of the microtubule motor protein cytoplasmic dynein in cell division, organelle and viral transport, and directed cell migration; the role of the dynein-related LIS1 gene in brain developmental disease and neuronal stem cell migration; and the structure of the dynein molecule. Dr. Vallee’s lab also studies the structure and function of the endocytic GTPase dynamin.
Hynek Wichterle, Ph.D., hw350@columbia.edu The use of stem cells to study the development and function of the nervous system.
Joan W. Witkin, Ph.D., jww3@columbia.edu Neuronal and glial interactions: light and electron microscopy of development, steroid environment and aging of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system.
Howard J. Worman, M.D., hjw14@columbia.edu Molecular cell biology of the nuclear envelope, its biogenesis, dynamics in cell division and pathobiology in cancer. A second project in our laboratory is examining the cell biology of the hepatitis C virus.
Thomas Wright, M.D., tcw1@columbia.edu Studies on the development of cervical neoplasia and the role of human papilloma virus in human disease.