Sadek Nehmeh · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Sadek Nehmeh's lab focuses on advancing brain imaging technology to enhance the diagnosis and monitoring of neurological disorders and brain tumors. His team is developing a new ultra-high performance PET scanner that promises superior imaging capabilities compared to existing technologies, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. With a collaborative approach, the lab combines expertise in engineering, imaging, and clinical applications to create a cutting-edge tool for neurology and neuro-oncology.
Qolamreza Ray Razlighi · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Qolamreza Ray Razlighi's lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by developing a new tool called the Tau Progression Index (TPI). This tool will help predict how the disease progresses in individuals based on brain imaging data and cognitive assessments. Through this research, the lab aims to enhance personalized medicine approaches for Alzheimer's, providing better prognostic information for patients and their families.
Josef Anrather · Neuroscience
The lab led by Dr. Josef Anrather at Weill Medical College of Cornell University focuses on understanding how environmental factors trigger Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other CNS autoimmune diseases. They investigate the role of specific toxins, particularly Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin and Bordetella pertussis toxin, in compromising the protective barriers of the central nervous system and leading to autoimmunity. The goal is to identify potential molecular targets for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to combat MS.
Ruslana Bryk · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Ruslana Bryk's lab focuses on developing new antibiotics to combat tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases. They study a specific target in bacteria, lipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd), to discover and optimize new drug candidates that can effectively kill these pathogens. The lab aims to understand the mechanisms of these inhibitors, improving their effectiveness and addressing the rise of drug-resistant strains.
Benedict Shek Hang Law · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Benedict Shek Hang Law's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on developing innovative therapies for bladder cancer, particularly for patients who can't undergo standard invasive treatments. His research aims to improve drug delivery methods to ensure higher effectiveness and lower recurrence of cancer, using novel peptide-based systems that minimize the invasive techniques currently used.
Tracy A. Butler · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Tracy A. Butler's lab focuses on understanding how the brain clears toxins after traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By using advanced imaging techniques soon after injury, the lab investigates the dynamics of harmful proteins that accumulate in the brain and how they correlate with recovery. Ultimately, their goal is to improve recovery from TBI and reduce the risk of future illnesses.
Jochen Buck · Pharmacology
Jochen Buck's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding male fertility and sperm function, particularly during the process of capacitation, when sperm become capable of fertilizing an egg. The lab aims to develop non-hormonal contraceptive methods by designing inhibitors that target specific enzymes, with the goal of creating a safe and effective male birth control pill. This research not only addresses fundamental questions about male reproductive biology but also has significant implications for contraceptive development.
Jacqueline Burre · Neuroscience
Dr. Jacqueline Burre's lab focuses on understanding the roles of different types of synuclein proteins in the brain and their connection to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Her team is investigating how these proteins affect nerve cell functions and how disruptions in their behavior might lead to early signs of these diseases. By using specialized mouse models and biochemical techniques, the lab aims to identify potential early biomarkers and novel therapies for these age-related conditions.
John Blenis · Pharmacology
Dr. John Blenis's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding the intricate signaling pathways that regulate cancer cell growth, metabolism, and resistance to therapy. The lab investigates how tumor cells can exploit metabolic processes, like propionate metabolism, to enhance their invasive capabilities and respond to treatment. By delving into mechanisms like mTORC1 signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers to improve cancer intervention.
Tobias Meyer · Biology
Dr. Tobias Meyer’s lab at Weill Cornell Medical College studies how mammalian cells make decisions to move and grow, which are important for both healing and cancer development. By using advanced techniques like single-cell analysis and microscopy, the lab aims to uncover the molecular signals and interactions that guide these processes. Their findings could lead to new approaches in treating cancer and improving tissue regeneration.
Jessica K Tyler · Biology
Dr. Jessica K Tyler's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding how certain biological processes can extend the lifespan of cells. Using yeast as a model organism, the lab investigates how autophagy—an essential process for cellular maintenance—contributes to the effects of various anti-aging interventions. Their research combines genetic manipulations and dietary interventions to reveal insights into the molecular mechanisms behind aging, which could have implications for improving health in humans.
Costantino Iadecola · Neuroscience
Dr. Costantino Iadecola's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding the links between cerebrovascular health and cognitive function, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The research explores how genetic factors, such as the ApoE4 allele, and environmental factors, like dietary salt intake, contribute to neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. By using advanced techniques in live animal models, the lab aims to uncover new insights into brain health and develop potential therapeutic strategies for dementia.
Ethel Cesarman · Biology
Dr. Ethel Cesarman's lab focuses on understanding how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) interacts with B cells, particularly in the context of cancers associated with HIV infection. By exploring how the virus affects B cell biology and the mechanisms that control viral protein expression, the lab aims to find new therapeutic approaches for lymphomas. This research is crucial, as people living with HIV are at significantly higher risk for developing certain types of B cell lymphomas linked to EBV.
Dilek Colak · Neuroscience
Dr. Dilek Colak's research lab at Weill Medical College focuses on the role of astrocytes in brain function, specifically how they regulate cognitive abilities through a process called Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD). By studying how astrocytic NMD influences synaptic plasticity and memory, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating cognitive dysfunctions linked to neurological disorders. Their work combines advanced genetic models and imaging techniques to explore the complex interactions between neurons and astrocytes in the brain.
Ronald G Crystal · Genetics
Dr. Ronald G Crystal's lab focuses on understanding and developing innovative treatments for severe health conditions like Alzheimer's disease and early COPD. They explore the genetic factors and biological mechanisms of these diseases, aiming to create effective gene therapies and interventions. Their research has potential implications for improving the lives of patients with genetic predispositions to these conditions.
Alexey Dimov · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Alexey Dimov's lab focuses on improving the detection of hemorrhagic cysts in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). By developing a technique called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), the lab aims to better identify patients at risk for rapid kidney function decline and optimize treatment strategies. This research has the potential to significantly enhance patient care and outcome by providing earlier and more accurate risk assessments.
Holly Gwen Prigerson · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Holly Prigerson's lab focuses on improving the quality of end-of-life care for cancer patients and their families. Her research addresses the emotional and psychosocial challenges faced by patients in the last stages of their lives, aiming to educate oncologists on better communication about prognosis and treatment options. The lab also emphasizes the role of caregivers and healthcare chaplains in providing comprehensive support, while developing interventions to alleviate patient distress and promote advance care planning.
Samie R Jaffrey · Pharmacology
Dr. Samie Jaffrey's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding how chemical modifications in RNA molecules influence gene expression and cellular behavior, particularly in the context of cancer and neuronal function. The lab employs innovative techniques to map and analyze these modifications, contributing to the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced methodologies, the lab seeks to unravel the complex regulatory mechanisms governing RNA and its impact on health and disease.
Moustafa Gabr · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Moustafa Gabr's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on developing small molecule therapies to tackle challenging diseases like Alzheimer's, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and glioblastoma. They utilize an innovative platform to identify molecules that can modulate the immune response, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy and minimize side effects compared to traditional biologics. The lab emphasizes harnessing the power of small molecules to interact with key immune receptors to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Olga Boudker · Physiology
Dr. Olga Boudker's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding the role of glutamate transporters in neurotransmission, which is crucial for brain functions like cognition and memory. They study how these transporters interact with ions, which is essential for their operation and regulation, especially in the context of neurological disorders. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, the lab aims to uncover the detailed mechanisms driving these transport processes.