Abnormal Weight Gain
Dalal Badreddine
<p>Dalal Badreddine, PhD, is Program Director, OnTrackNY , Adult Outpatient Psychiatry at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Badreddine's clinical interests include early psychosis, emerging adulthood and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
</p><p>After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon in 2013, Dr. Badreddine moved to the United States to continue her training, earning her Master of Arts in psychology in education at Columbia University in 2015. She later earned her Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2021.
</p><p>Dr. Badreddine's research interests include early psychosis treatment and recovery. Her work has been shared through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.
</p><p>Dr. Badreddine is a member of the Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology. She is fluent in English and Arabic.
</p>
Anna Y. Zolotnitskaya
<p>Anna Zolotnitskaya, MD, is Medical Director, Pediatric Dialysis at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Assistant Professor, Pediatrics at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Zolotnitskaya’s clinical focus is on pediatric dialysis and pediatric renal transplantation. She leads a multidisciplinary dialysis team that provides patient-centered, evidence-based care for children and young adults with end-stage kidney disease. </p><p>After obtaining her Doctor of Medicine at St. Petersburg Pediatric Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1983, Dr. Zolotnitskaya completed her pediatrics internship at the same institution in 1984. She remained there to complete her pediatrics residency in 1989, before completing an additional pediatrics residency at Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel, in 1994. Following this, Dr. Zolotnitskaya completed a pediatric nephrology fellowship at Montefiore Einstein in 1998, followed by an additional pediatrics residency at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in 2001. </p><p>Dr. Zolotnitskaya has been principal investigator and co-investigator in clinical trials that investigate medications employed for the care of children with advanced chronic kidney disease. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and abstracts, and she has given several invited presentations. She is also a reviewer for the <em>Journal of Pediatrics: Clinical Practice</em>. </p><p>Dr. Zolotnitskaya is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Nephrology, the American Board of Pediatrics and the Israeli Board of Pediatrics. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Nephrology and the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology.
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Alan C. Yancovitch
Daniel A. Weiser
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Childhood cancer research laboratory</strong></span></p>
<p>Our laboratory is focused on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. In such patients with typically incurable cancer, we are striving to identify new approaches to and types of treatment. We have multiple ongoing projects:</p>
<p><strong>+ Identification of biologic drivers of ultra-high-risk neuroblastoma</strong>. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and deadly childhood cancers. Despite intensive research, there are limited therapeutic strategies for patients with <em>de novo </em>chemotherapy resistance that leads to particularly poor outcomes. We have been studying neuroblastoma since 2009 and are identifying additional biologic drivers of highly lethal tumors.</p>
<p>We compare tumor features from patients with early death from tumor progression compared to those with a maintained complete response. We assess unique histo-morphologic and proteomic features and computationally integrate these data with genomic and transcriptomic datasets to develop a combined predictor of primary refractory disease. Patients with this entity require non-standard and/or intensified treatment. Oncogenic drivers are being characterized in the lab which will facilitate strategies for novel pharmacologic intervention.</p>
<p><strong>+ Characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells</strong>. We are studying pathways and interactions that results in uncontrolled cell proliferation early in neuroblastoma development with an ultimate goal of identifying new targets and approaches for pharmacologic intervention.</p>
<p><strong>+ Evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma</strong>. With expected outcomes lagging behind those of more common childhood cancers, children with neuroblastoma require new approaches to treatment. Our lab works with multiple international clinical and research consortium groups to perform preclinical studies that substantiate human clinical trials. </p>
<p><strong>+ Detection of circulating tumor DNA in osteosarcoma</strong>. With no reliable non-invasive approach for disease monitoring during and after treatment, we are applying cutting edge next-generation sequencing approaches to identify solid tumors with a blood-based “liquid” biopsies. This will allow clinicians to assess tumor responsiveness to chemotherapy and predict likelihood of recurrence.</p>
<p><strong>+ Assessment of accelerated aging using miRNA-seq in survivors of childhood cancer</strong>. Chemotherapy has many untoward effects on healthy cells and leads to many signs of accelerated aging in children treated for cancer. Using a known microRNA “aging” signature discovered at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, we are studying what causes this phenotype in childhood cancer, with a goal of offering improved intervention to minimize long-term toxicity of treatment.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Physician Summary</span></strong></p>
<p>Daniel A. Weiser, MD, is board-certified in pediatric hematology/oncology with clinical expertise in neuroblastoma and other tumors of the adrenal glands, kidneys, liver, and gonads. He is the medical director of the intra-abdominal solid tumor program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and brings together a highly specialized multi-disciplinary care team to provide comprehensive treatment for diverse pediatric malignancies. In addition, Dr. Weiser directs a childhood cancer research laboratory that focuses on the identification of new targeted agents for cancer therapy, especially in the treatment of rare and aggressive malignancies such as neuroblastoma. His research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise for improving management of all patients with solid tumors.</p>
<p>Dr. Weiser participates in the efforts of a number of professional organizations including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Advances in Neuroblastoma Research Association (ANRA), National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He has received numerous awards including the Brigid Leventhal Special Merit Award from ASCO and the Conquer Cancer Foundation, and a prestigious K12 from the National Cancer Institute for the training of the next generation of physician-scientists in pediatric cancer. Dr. Weiser is actively involved in teaching and mentorship of trainees, and takes great pride in providing advanced and compassionate care to his patients and their families.</p>
<p><strong>Clinical Expertise</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Neuroblastoma (adrenal tumors)</li>
<li>Wilms tumor (renal tumors)</li>
<li>Hepatoblastoma (liver tumors)</li>
<li>Germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors)</li>
<li>Thyroid and other rare tumors</li>
<li>Experimental therapeutics</li>
<li>Cancer genetics and biomarkers</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Board Certifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Pediatrics</li>
<li>Pediatric Hematology/Oncology</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Professional Education</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>M.D. – Stony Brook University, NY</li>
<li>Residency – Children’s Hospital of NY-Presbyterian, Columbia University, NY</li>
<li>Chief Residency – Children’s Hospital of NY-Presbyterian, Columbia University, NY</li>
<li>Fellowship – The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA</li>
</ul>
DR. Weiser's clinical focuses are neuroblastoma and adrenal tumors, Wilms tumor and other kidney (renal) tumors, hepatoblastoma, and other liver tumors, germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors), Thyroid and other rare tumors, experimental therapeutics, and cancer genetics and biomarkers.
Dr. Weiser’s research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise in the treatment of all solid tumors. Dr. Weiser’s laboratory focuses on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. He has multiple ongoing projects, such as identification of biologic drivers of neuroblastoma at ultra-high risk for treatment failure, characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells, and evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma, among others.
<p>Daniel A. Weiser, MD, is a Medical Director of the Intra-abdominal Solid Tumor Program in the Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology department at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. He is also Associate Professor in the Pediatrics and Genetics departments at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His clinical focuses are neuroblastoma and adrenal tumors, Wilms tumor and other kidney (renal) tumors, hepatoblastoma and other liver tumors, germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors), Thyroid and other rare tumors, experimental therapeutics, and cancer genetics and biomarkers. Dr. Weiser is actively involved in teaching and mentorship of trainees and takes great pride in his active participation in patient care.</p><p>Dr. Weiser received his Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology in 1995 at Haverford College, PA. In 2004, he received his Doctor of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY. He is currently earning his Master of Science in Translational Research at the University of Pennsylvania. He began a residency in Pediatrics at the New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University in 2007. Dr. Weiser then completed a three-year fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. </p><p>Dr. Weiser’s research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise in the treatment of all solid tumors. Dr. Weiser’s laboratory focuses on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. He has multiple ongoing projects, such as identification of biologic drivers of neuroblastoma at ultra-high risk for treatment failure, characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells, and evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma, among others. His research has been published in many reviewed journals. </p><p>Dr. Weiser participates in the efforts of a number of professional organizations including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He has received many awards including the Brigid Leventhal Special Merit Award through ASCO, and he has been awarded a prestigious K12 from the NCI for the training of the next generation of physician-scientists in pediatric cancer.</p><p>He is board certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and General Pediatrics.</p>
Michael J. Thorpy
<p>Dr. Michael Thorpy, board-certified in sleep disorders medicine, is Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York. Both a clinician and a well-published researcher, Dr. Thorpy serves as Professor of Clinical Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Thorpy served on the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) Board of Directors and founded and directed the NSF's National Narcolepsy Registry, which was located at Montefiore Medical Center. He is past Chairman of the Sleep Section of the American Academy of Neurology. He is President of the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine (NYSSSM).</p>
<p>Dr. Thorpy was born in New Zealand and earned his medical degree from the University of Otago in 1973. He has published extensively on narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep disorders. His 14 print books include "The Encyclopedia of Sleep and Sleep Disorders". He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, including publications in journals such as <em>The New England Journal of Medicine.</em> Dr. Thorpy's computerized textbook on sleep medicine, SleepMultiMedia (available on DVD-ROM), is the only one of its kind.</p>
<p>In 1993, Dr. Thorpy was awarded one of the sleep field's highest honors: The Nathaniel Kleitman Award from the American Sleep Disorders Association, and in 2012 the National Sleep Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>Dr. Thorpy is frequently quoted in the media, including <em>The New York Time</em>s, <em>The Washington Post, and Good Housekeeping</em>. He has appeared on the "Today Show," "20/20," "Donahue," and given more than 100 television, radio, and print interviews.</p>
Obstructive sleep apnea research in adults
Other areas include: other sleep disorders in general.
Dr. Thorpy focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, and parasomnias. Circadian rhythm disorders, and hypersomnias such as narcolepsy.
Dr. Thorpy's research focuses on hypersomnias including narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and Kleine-levin Syndrome, and their management, particularly with new therapeutic medications.
<p>Books:</p>
<p>1. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and coding manual. Diagnostic Classification Steering Committee; Thorpy MJ, Chairman. Rochester, Minnesota: American Sleep Disorders Association, 1990.</p>
<p>2. Thorpy MJ, (ed). Handbook of Sleep Disorders. In the series; Neurological Disease and Therapy, series ed, W. Koller. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1990.</p>
<p>3. Thorpy MJ, Yager J. The Encyclopedia of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Facts on File Inc., New York, 1991.</p>
<p>4. Pocket Edition of the The International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Diagnostic Classification Committee; Thorpy MJ, Chairman. Rochester, Minnesota: American Sleep Disorders Association, 1991.</p>
<p>5. Goswami M, Thorpy MJ. A Primer of Narcolepsy. New York: Montefiore Medical Center, 1991.</p>
<p>6. Goswami M, Pollak CP, Cohen FL, Thorpy MJ, Kavey NB, Kutscher AH, (eds). Psychosocial aspects of narcolepsy. New York: Haworth press, 1993.</p>
<p>7. Thorpy MJ, Yager J. The Encyclopedia of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. 2<sup>nd</sup> Edition Facts on File Inc., New York, 2001.</p>
<p>8. Thorpy MJ, Yager J. Sleeping Well. Facts on File Inc., New York, 2001.</p>
<p>9. Goswami M, Perumal. P, Thorpy M. Narcolepsy: A clinical guide. Springer-Verlag 2010</p>
<p>10.Thorpy M, Plazzi G. Parasomnias and other sleep-related movement disorders. Cambridge University Press , 2010</p>
<p><br />11. Thorpy MJ., Billiard M. Sleepiness: Causes, Consequences, Disorders and Treatment. Cambridge University Press, 2011</p>
<p><br />12. Nofzinger E, Maquet P, Thorpy MJ, Neuroimaging of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Cambridge University Press, 2013.</p>
<p><br />13. Shaw P, Tafti, M, Thorpy M. Genetics of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Cambridge University Press, 2013</p>
<p><br />14. Goswami M, Perumal. P, Thorpy M. Narcolepsy: A clinical guide. Springer-Verlag; 2015 .<br /><br /></p>
<p>15. Thorpy MJ. SleepMultiMedia: A Computerized Textbook of Sleep Medicine. Sleep Multimedia Inc. New York (2005- 2016)</p>
<p>Michael J. Thorpy, MD, is Director, Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore and Professor of Neurology at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His clinical focus is on the clinical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of all sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia and restless legs syndrome, among others.</p><p>In 1968, Dr. Thorpy received his Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He continued studying at this institution, and in 1973 received his Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Thorpy’s postgraduate training spans over nine years. From 1974 to 1976, Dr. Thorpy trained as a rotating house physician and medical registrar at Dunedin Public Hospital, New Zealand. He continued his training in Bombay, India as a Neurology Clinical Assistant at Sir J.J. Group Hospitals in 1977. That same year, he travelled to London, U.K and spent time training at National Hospital as a Clinical Assistant, Edgware General Hospital as a Locum Respiratory Physician, and Kings College Hospital as an Endocrinology Registrar. Following this, in 1978, Dr. Thorpy completed a two-year neurology residency at the State University of New York, becoming Chief Neurology Resident in his final year. In 1982, Dr. Thorpy completed a fellowship in neuroendocrinology at Montefiore.</p><p>Expanding on his clinical specialties, Dr. Thorpy’s research focuses on the medications used in the treatment of sleep disturbance and excessive daytime sleepiness. His work has been published in a large number of peer-reviewed journals, medical articles and books.</p><p>In 1993 Dr Thorpy received the Nathaniel Kleitman Award of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and in 2012, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Sleep Foundation. He is President of the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine, and a member of numerous other professional societies including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the European Sleep Research Society and the New York State Medical Society.</p><p>Dr. Thorpy is board certified by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in Sleep Disorders Medicine. </p>
Lisa B. Teh
Ivy Tam
Pediatric Medicine
Dr. Tam’s research aims to improve care and communication for patients with limited English proficiency, as well as standardizing pain practices for children.
<p>Ivy Tam, MD, FAAP, is an Attending Physician and a Non-neonatal Emergency Transport Coordinator at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. </p><p>In 2009, Dr. Tam received her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences at Cornell University. She then attended SUNY Upstate Medical University, where she received her Doctor of Medicine in 2013. Dr. Tam began her postgraduate training with a residency in pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in pediatric hospital medicine in 2018 at the University of California San Diego. </p><p>Dr. Tam’s research aims to improve care and communication for patients with limited English proficiency, as well as standardizing pain practices for children. She has shared her work through presentations in academic forums and scientific meetings, and is currently in the process of being submitted for publication. </p><p>2017, Dr. Tam received the CARES Award from hospital staff at Rady Children’s Hospital for her support during the medical director’s absence. Dr. Tam is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. </p>