Academic Honors & Events

Cutting Edge Competition—A recent review article, “Emerging Mechanisms of Cell Competition,” by Nicholas Baker, Ph.D., published in the August 24, 2020 issue of Nature Review Genetics, offers compelling connections from research that will interest those in a range of scientific disciplines. Dr. Baker’s review describes many examples where active competition occurs between cells that differ genetically or otherwise, with the effect of eliminating one cell population from the tissue. He describes research involving the underlying mechanisms of cell competition and how knowledge gained from such studies may be important in cancer, birth defects, and age-related diseases. Dr. Baker also notes that researchers can exploit cell competition to advance tissue replacement in regenerative medicine. A professor of genetics, of developmental & molecular biology, and of ophthalmology & visual sciences, as well as director of molecular genetics, Dr. Baker holds the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Genetics.

Scholarly Support—Haiying Cheng M.D., Ph.D., has received a research grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS), which is the largest private, not-for-profit source of cancer research funds in the United States. Since 1946, the ACS has primarily funded early career investigators exploring cutting-edge ideas. The award given to Dr. Cheng supports her studies focused on metastatic lung cancer, in particular how the RICTOR gene—which plays important roles in both the onset of cancer and in its progression—may offer a new target for combatting lung cancer’s spread. The aim of the research is to determine whether the gene can provide novel treatment strategies that may increase survival for lung cancer patients. Dr. Cheng’s project was one of just a dozen that were highlighted among 73 ACS grants given this year. She is associate professor of clinical medicine at Einstein and an attending physician in medicine at Montefiore.

Under 30 Scholar—Ashley Scott was recognized as a 2019 Forbes Under 30 Scholar. The renowned scholarship program awards a diverse group of college students and recent graduates under age 30 an exclusive pass to attend the company’s flagship Under 30 Summit, which was hosted by Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans this past October in Detroit, MI. Each year, Forbes selects 1,000 students from across the country to participate in its four-day event, designed to bring together young entrepreneurs and leaders in business, technology, and innovation. Ashley’s efforts, partnering with IBM, Brainstorm, and a local, non-profit NYC chapter of Women in Data, to increase diversity and educate women on careers in computer science earned her the honor. She recently completed her Master’s in business administration at Mercy College, in managerial analytics, and is now a data analyst at Einstein, in the office of medical education. She represented Einstein, which was recognized by Forbes last year as one of the best midsize employers in the nation.

Supporting Metastatic Cancer Research—While metastatic, or stage IV, breast cancer occurs in approximately 30 percent of breast cancer patients and its spread to other parts of the body accounts for 98 percent of deaths from the disease, only 2 to 5 percent of breast cancer research funding is allocated to stage IV cancer research. To address this, the non-profit organization METAvivor Research and Support Inc. dedicates funding specifically to metastatic breast cancer investigations. The organization recently granted its 2019 New York Fashion Week Presents, in Honor of Chiara D’Agostino, Award to Lucia Borriello, Ph.D., for her research "Targeting the Mechanism of Re-Dissemination and Metastasis in Stage IV Breast Cancer." This award is part of METAvivor’s Early Career Investigator Award program, which seeks to provide funding to early career metastatic breast cancer researchers. Dr. Boriello’s award was one of 32 METAvivor honorees this year. She is a postdoc in the laboratory of Dr. John Condeelis, who is professor and co-chair of anatomy & structural biology, co-director of the Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center and of the Integrated Imaging Program, scientific director of the Analytical Imaging Facility, and director of the Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program of the Albert Einstein Cancer Center. He also holds the Judith and Burton P. Resnick Chair in Translational Research. 

Administrative Achievement—The Society of Research Administrators International recognized the expertise of Dhanonjoy Saha, Ph.D., in research management and administration by appointing him SRA International Distinguished Faculty. This honor designates exemplary professionals in the field who can serve as mentors to SRA International members and colleagues. Dr. Saha is director of the office of grant support and research professor of medicine.

Doctor of Distinction—During Westfair Business Journal’s annual Doctors of Distinction ceremony, Diego Camacho, M.D., received the “No Land Too Far” Award, recognizing his time and efforts offering care abroad, in developing nations with large populations needing medical assistance. Dr. Camacho is associate professor of surgery at Einstein. He is also director of minimally invasive and laparoscopic general surgery and director of the surgery fellowship program at Montefiore.

Excellence in Geriatric Guidance— Einstein and Montefiore’s leadership in geriatric care received multiple honors from the Methodist Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation. to Thiruvinvamalai Dharmarajan, M.D., received the home’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his work aimed at bettering the lives of geriatric patients in the Bronx through clinical, academic, and research-based endeavors. The Montefiore Wakefield Division of Geriatrics, which he supervises, was presented the Leadership Impact Award for its efforts in serving the local elderly population. Dr. Dharmarajan is professor of medicine at Einstein, and vice chair of medicine, clinical director of geriatrics, and program director of the geriatric medicine fellowship program at Montefiore.

Chair's Choice—Lucas Sjulson, M.D., Ph.D., has received the Chair’s Choice Award from the Society of Biological Psychiatry. Founded in 1945, the society promotes the study of underlying causes and treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders. The Sjulson lab aims to develop tools to treat drug addiction through clinical neuromodulation. Dr. Sjulson is assistant professor of neuroscience, and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Distinguished Fellow —At its May 2019 annual meeting, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized Eric Hollander, M.D., as a Distinguished Life Fellow in recognition of his research and achievements. The APA is the largest psychiatric association in the world and the Fellowship is its highest membership honor, awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made a significant contribution to their profession and to patient welfare. Dr. Hollander’s research focuses on identifying the root causes and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulsive/aggressive personality disorders, pathological gambling, and autism. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded numerous clinical trials and currently is leading a $1.3 million study funded by the Department of Defense for a first-of-its-kind clinical trial in the U.S. to test the effectiveness of a compound found in marijuana on certain behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Hollander is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Program at Einstein and Montefiore.

Honor of Distinction—The American Headache Society has elected Elizabeth Seng, Ph.D., as a recipient of its 2019 Early Career Lecture Award. The honor recognizes her contributions in the field of headache disorders connected to her paper, “Does Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Migraine Reduce Migraine-Related Disability?” The article describes an innovative study in which 60 patients with severe headaches used complementary approaches, such as relaxation techniques or biofeedback, to augment medical treatment for migraine. The results showed that these additional techniques were much more effective for people with episodic rather than chronic conditions, a finding that Dr. Seng did not anticipate. The Society considered the conclusions of her paper to be “the best on headache, head or face pain. Dr. Seng is research assistant professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Einstein and assistant professor of psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.