David M. Loeb
<p>Dr. Loeb has an active translational research laboratory focused on understanding bone tumor metastasis. His laboratory developed a clinically relevant mouse model of sarcoma metastasis, and has used this model to perform preclinical testing of novel agents that can interfere with this process. More basic scientific studies in the lab involve exploring the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in Ewing sarcoma migration, invasion, and metastasis. Dr. Loeb is also studying the role of an enzyme called RNA helicase DDX3 in Ewing sarcoma biology, especially how this enzyme affects the repair of damaged DNA. More recently, the laboratory has developed an interest in targeting the metabolic reprogramming associated with metastasis as a way to prevent the outgrowth of distant metastases from disseminated tumor cells.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dr. Loeb is also actively involved in clinical research, including the development of radiopharmaceutical agents for the treatment of bone metastases and the development of a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3. He serves as the local PI for a clinical trial of reduced intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for children with high risk solid tumors. Finally, as an offshoot of his laboratory work, Dr. Loeb is involved in the development of biomarkers of metastatic risk and of minimal residual disease in children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcomas.</p>
<p>Dr. Loeb is a leading pediatric oncologist and NIH-funded researcher. He has extensive expertise in sarcoma research and clinical care and is a bone marrow transplantation specialist. Dr. Loeb’s research spans the spectrum from basic and translational studies to clinical trials using novel therapies.</p>
<p>Dr. Loeb's PubMed bibliography can be found here: </p>
<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1fiIspwqfwUE46/bibliography/5…;
<p>David Loeb, MD, PhD, is Chief, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and Professor, Pediatrics and Professor, Developmental and Molecular Biology at Montefiore Einstein. His clinical work focuses on tumors of connective tissue, such as bone and muscle. He also has expertise in the care of children with other solid tumors. As a member of the bone marrow transplantation team, Dr. Loeb also cares for patients with acute leukemias and has expertise in the application of immunotherapy to childhood cancer.</p><p>Dr. Loeb earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology in 1987 at Johns Hopkins University. In 1993, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and, in 1994, his Doctor of Medicine at Columbia University. In 1994, he also began an internship in Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by a residency in 1995 and a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the same institution.</p><p>Dr. Loeb has an active translational research laboratory focused on understanding bone tumor metastasis. His laboratory developed a clinically relevant mouse model of sarcoma metastasis and has used this model to perform preclinical testing of novel agents that can interfere with this process. One area of focus is the metabolic differences between cancer cells and normal cells, and between metastases and the primary tumor, with the intention of targeting these differences therapeutically. More basic scientific studies in the lab involve exploring the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma migration, invasion and metastasis. Dr. Loeb also studies the role of an enzyme called RNA helicase DDX3 in Ewing sarcoma biology, especially how this enzyme affects the repair of damaged DNA.</p><p>Dr. Loeb is also actively involved in clinical research, including the development of radiopharmaceutical agents for the treatment of bone metastases and the development of a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3. He has also directed a clinical trial of reduced intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for children with high risk solid tumors. Stemming from his laboratory work, Dr. Loeb is involved in the development of biomarkers of metastatic risk and of minimal residual disease in children, adolescents and young adults with sarcomas. Dr. Loeb’s original research, based on his clinical and laboratory studies, has been published in multiple journals and books.</p><p>Dr. Loeb has been a recipient of many awards, including the Director’s Teaching Award in Clinical Science from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2006, 2010 and 2015, and The Justin Straus Chordoma Research Award in 2009.</p>
Heyi Li
<p>Heyi Li, MD, is an attending physician and Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Montefiore Einstein. Her clinical focus is on the management of acute and chronic disorders of the lung and breathing, such as chronic obstructive lung diseases, asthma, interstitial lung diseases, infectious lung diseases and lung nodules. She performs airway and chest procedures including bronchoscopies and thoracentesis, and also provides consultations on smoking cessation and respiratory rehabilitation.</p><p>After earning her Bachelor of Engineering degree at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China in 2011, she continued her education with the institution’s School of Medicine, earning her Doctor of Medicine in 2015. Dr Li’s postdoctoral training brought her to the United States, completing a three-year residency in internal medicine at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in 2019 and a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota in 2022.</p><p>Dr. Li’s clinical research focuses on care delivery research and implementation science. Her goal is to develop a mature line of inquiry in implementation science, focused on both conceptual frameworks and pragmatic implementation strategies. She has shared her work through peer-reviewed journals and has presented it at regional and national conferences. Dr. Li has also been a periodic reviewer for <em>Critical Care Medicine</em> and the <em>American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine</em>.</p><p>Dr. Li is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.</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.
</p>
Changcheng Zhu
Thoracic pathology, Head & Neck Pathology, Gynecological Pathology and Lung Transplant Pathology<br /><quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
Lung cancer<br />
Shiu M. Young
Michael Yee
Diana S. Wolfe
<p>Diana S Wolfe, MD MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine. She is Associate Program Director of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program. </p>
<p>She established the MFM Cardiology Joint Program in 2015 in response to the rising contribution of cardiovascular conditions to pregnancy related morbidity and mortality. The aim was to establish a multidisciplinary program to optimize the care of high-risk pregnant patients with known or suspected cardiac disease, as there is a real potential for communication gaps when patients are seen separately in contrast with parallel visits by different specialists. Patients are at all stages of their reproductive lives including preconception, pregnancy and postpartum. She works closely with the department of Cardiology both in the outpatient and inpatient setting to establish delivery plans and continued care postpartum. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>In addition, Dr. Wolfe has worked in global health, her most recent work in Africa was in Butare (Huye), Rwanda, serving as MFM subspecialist in the Human Resources for Health (HRH) program, directed by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Rwanda. Dr. Wolfe was the first MFM subspecialist from Einstein to commence HRH at CHUB, Butare, Rwanda. Her interest began locally when she volunteered as a bilingual pregnancy counselor in Escondido, California. She then started working in Africa in 1998 where she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. She was part of the national Maternal and Child Health Program. She worked as health educator in a remote village, Karangasso, located in the Sikasso region, with a birth assistant to develop health education for 7 local villages on subjects such as infant nutrition, prenatal care, family planning, and developing community health committees for each village. She also initiated a birth assistant training program with the head nurse of the nearest local health center that included training subjects such as management of postpartum hemorrhage, contraception, and first steps in obstetric emergencies. During medical school, Dr. Wolfe worked on “the Assessment of the Knowledge of Women’s Health,” a project that initiated with the Bedoin community of Israel. She implemented the same pre and post-training test to the 7 Malian villages where she served in the Peace Corps as well as to several villages in the Peruvian Amazon. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Dr. Wolfe’s clinical focus is on maternal and fetal medicine (MFM).
<ol>
<li>Wolfe DS, Hameed AB, Taub CC, Zaidi AN, Bortnick AE. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30278179">Addressing maternal mortality: the pregnant cardiac patient.</a> Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Feb;220(2):167.e1-167.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.09.035. Epub 2018 Sep 29.</li>
<li>Sahasrabudhe N, Teigen N, Wolfe DS, Taub C. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29581907">Pregnancy after Prosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: How Do We Monitor Prosthetic Valvular Function during Pregnancy?</a>Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jan 17;2018:4935957. doi: 10.1155/2018/4935957. eCollection 2018.</li>
<li>Kim SY, Wolfe DS, Taub CC. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29063738">Cardiovascular outcomes of pregnancy in Marfan's syndrome patients: A literature review.</a> Congenit Heart Dis. 2018 Mar;13(2):203-209. doi: 10.1111/chd.12546. Epub 2017 Oct 23. Review.</li>
<li>Wolfe DS, Williams SF, Ross MG, Beall MH, Apuzzio JJ. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23943702">Does preeclampsia predict the risk of late postpartum eclampsia?</a> AJP Rep. 2013 May;3(1):13-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1329127. Epub 2013 Jan 25.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Wolfe%20D%5BAuthor%5D&cau… D</a>1, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Gong%20M%5BAuthor%5D&caut… M</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Han%20G%5BAuthor%5D&cauth… G</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Magee%20TR%5BAuthor%5D&ca… TR</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Ross%20MG%5BAuthor%5D&cau… MG</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Desai%20M%5BAuthor%5D&cau… M</a>.Nutrient sensor mediated programmed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in low birthweight offspring. <a title="American journal of obstetrics and gynecology." href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Nutrient+sensor-mediated+prog… J Obstet Gynecol.</a> 2012 Oct;207(4):308.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.07.033. Epub 2012 Jul 31.</li>
</ol>
<p>Diana S. Wolfe, MD, MPH, FACOG is Attending Physician at Montefiore and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Wolfe’s clinical focus is on maternal and fetal medicine (MFM). In 2015, she established the MFM-Cardiology Joint Program at Montefiore—a multidisciplinary program to reduce morbidity and prevent mortality in expecting mothers with cardiovascular disease by optimizing the care of high-risk pregnant patients.</p><p>From 1988 to 1993, Dr. Wolfe pursued her Bachelor of Science in biology through the University of California San Diego, participating in the Education Abroad Program with Universita di Bologna, Italy from 1990 through 1991. In 1996 she began studies at University of California, Berkeley focusing on maternal child health, earning her Master of Public Health in 1998. After two years serving in the health extension of the Child Health Survival Program with the Peace Corps in Mali, Dr. Wolfe pursued her Doctor of Medicine at Ben Gurion University, Israel, receiving her degree in 2004.</p><p>Building on her clinical focus, Dr. Wolfe’s research investigates cardio-obstetrics, preconception health, maternal morbidity and contraception in high risk women. She has published her research in several reviewed journals, book chapters and review articles.</p><p>Dr. Wolfe is board certified and is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine. She is active in global health, most recently working in Butare (Huye), Rwanda, serving as MFM subspecialist in the Human Resources for Health program, directed by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Ministry of Health of Rwanda.</p>
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>
Marc Vimolratana
Dr. Vimolratana is a general thoracic surgeon with a clinical focus on thoracic surgical oncology, including minimally invasive surgery for lung and esophageal cancer. His other clinical interests include mediastinal and chest wall tumors, tracheal disorders, thoracic outlet syndrome, and benign esophageal diseases. <quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
Dr. Vimolratana’s research focuses on improving patient outcomes after complex lung and esophageal surgery. He has shared his findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals and abstracts at national meetings. <quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
<p>Marc Vimolratana, MD, MS, is Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Vimolratana is a general thoracic surgeon with a clinical focus on thoracic surgical oncology, including minimally invasive surgery for lung and esophageal cancer. His other clinical interests include mediastinal and chest wall tumors, tracheal disorders, thoracic outlet syndrome, and benign esophageal diseases. Dr. Vimolratana takes a patient-centered approach to patient care and is committed to using minimally invasive techniques, including VATS and robotic surgery, whenever possible to minimize surgical trauma and pain for patients.</p><p>Dr. Vimolratana studied chemistry at Yale, earning a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in 2006. He attended medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, earning a Doctor of Medicine in 2014. After many years in California, he moved to New York for postdoctoral training at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he completed a residency in general surgery in 2019, serving as chief resident in his final year. Dr. Vimolratana continued at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery prior to joining the faculty at Montefiore Einstein in 2021.</p><p>Dr. Vimolratana’s research focuses on improving patient outcomes after complex lung and esophageal surgery. He has shared his findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals and abstracts at national meetings.</p><p>Dr. Vimolratana is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He has been honored with numerous awards for academic excellence and clinical care.</p>