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>
Shiu M. Young
Michael Yee
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>
Jacqueline Weingarten-Arams
Nutrition
Pulmonary hypertension
Sepsis
<p>Jacqueline Weingarten-Arams, MD, is an attending physician and Professor, Pediatrics at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Weingarten-Arams’ pediatric critical care expertise focuses on cardiac critical care, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, nutrition in critical illness and energy expenditure, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (quality CPR) and extracorporeal life support (ECMO).</p><p>After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University in 1982, Dr. Weingarten-Arams earned her Doctor of Medicine at the same institution in 1986. She then completed her pediatric residency at Columbia University in 1990, where she was Chief Resident in her final year. Following this, Dr. Weingarten-Arams completed a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at New York Hospital Cornell University Medical College in 1996.</p><p>Dr. Weingarten-Arams research focus includes the use of deliberate simulated practice in improving outcomes in pediatric critical illness, pediatric resuscitation and pediatric airway management. Her other projects involve chronic critical illness, bioethics in pediatric critical care and oxidative injury in respiratory failure. She has been principal investigator and co-investigator on several research projects, and her work has been shared through numerous peer-reviewed publications and invited presentations.</p><p>Dr. Weingarten-Arams is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Chest Physicians. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Weingarten-Arams has been named in Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors: New York Metro Area” for multiple years. In 2006, she was inducted into the Leo M. Davidoff Society and in 2019, Dr. Weingarten-Arams won the William Obrinsky Award for Excellence in Medical Student Education.</p>
Victoria Vapnyar
Ana Y. Valdivia
<p>Ana Y. Valdivia, MD, is an attending physician at Montefiore Einstein and Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Radiology at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Valdivia’s clinical focus involves all aspects of nuclear medicine, with a particular focus on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT).</p><p>After receiving her Bachelor of Science in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico in 1990, Dr. Valdivia attended Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, earning her Doctor of Medicine in 1994. She completed her internal medicine residency at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 1997, followed by her nuclear medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1999.</p><p>Dr. Valdivia’s research involves PET-CT, frequently focusing on brain imaging. She has shared her research through peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, abstracts, exhibits, and oral and poster presentations. She is also an invited reviewer for the International Journal of Surgery.</p><p>Dr. Valdivia is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. She is a member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the American College of Radiology.</p>