Danny Woo
Allan W. Wolkoff
<p><span>Dr. Allan Wolkoff's interest in research was sparked when he worked in a biochemistry lab to help pay college bills. He began his medical studies at Dartmouth Medical College and transferred to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he obtained his M.D. degree. With the exception of a two year period when he was Clinical Associate in Gastroenterology-Hepatology in the Digestive Disease Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Disease, he has remained at Albert Einstein. His early mentor, Irwin M. Arias, M.D. of the National Institutes of Health said of Wolkoff’s work, “He built an exemplary global reputation in hepatology research, education, training and scholarship. A major participant in the creation of the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center at Albert Einstein, Dr. Wolkoff has taken advantage of the strong, interactive basic science departments and is a leader in bridging understanding of hepatocyte biology with the pathogenesis of acquired and inheritable liver diseases.” </span></p>
<p><span>Dr. Wolkoff is a pioneer in the combining of disciplines that inform basic understanding of hepatocyte function and relation to disease and is recognized worldwide for providing new windows into physiology and pathophysiology. </span><span>He has had articles published in over 100 peer-reviewed publications, given many invited lectures and has had continuous NIH-supported research. In addition, he has served on advisory committees of several NIH-supported liver research centers. In 2006, he was presented the AASLD Distinguished Service Award. In 2012, he received the <span>highly prestigious 2012 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the American Liver Foundation.</span></span></p>
Diseases of the liver and biliary tract including chronic liver disease, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, inheritable disorders of the liver, drug toxicity, and unexplained jaundice.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
Research interests include the mechanism by which the liver removes drugs and other compounds from the circulation and how its dysfunction may lead to drug toxicity.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
<p>Allan W. Wolkoff, MD, is Chief, Hepatology, Herman Lopata Chair in Liver Disease Research and Professor, Medicine and Developmental & Molecular Biology at Montefiore Einstein. His clinical focus centers on diseases of the liver and biliary tract, including chronic liver disease, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, inheritable disorders of the liver, drug toxicity and unexplained jaundice.</p><p>Dr. Wolkoff began his medical studies at Dartmouth Medical College and transferred to Einstein, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1972. He completed an internship at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center in 1973 before becoming an Assistant Resident in Medicine until 1974. Following this, Dr. Wolkoff became a Clinical Associate in Gastroenterology-Hepatology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) until 1976.</p><p>A pioneer in combining disciplines that inform basic understanding of hepatocyte function and relation to disease, Dr. Wolkoff is recognized worldwide for providing new windows into physiology and pathophysiology. His research interests include the mechanism by which the liver removes drugs and other compounds from circulation and how its dysfunction may lead to drug toxicity. He has had articles published in over 100 peer-reviewed publications, given many invited lectures and has had continuous NIH-supported research.</p><p>Dr. Wolkoff has served on advisory committees of several NIH-supported liver research centers. In 2006, he was presented with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Distinguished Service Award. In 2012, he received the highly prestigious Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the American Liver Foundation. He was named Physician of the Year by the Greater New York Division of the American Liver Foundation in 2015 and won the National Leadership Award from the American Liver Foundation in 2022.</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>
Preeti Viswanathan
Dr. Viswanathan received her Medical training at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, India. She then completed her Pediatric Residency at Miami Children?s Hospital and her fellowship at The Children?s Hospital at Montefiore. She has presented her research at national meetings and has received the Best Research Award at Pediatric Research Day Children?s Hospital at Montefiore 2011.
Clara Y. Tow
<p>Dr. Tow is a transplant hepatologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She serves as the Clinical Site Director of Hepatology at the Weiler Division of MMC, Associate Program Director of the Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Fellowship Program, and the Co-Director of the AECOM Gastroenterology & Hepatology Systems Course.</p>
<p>Dr. Tow holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude for her work in developmental research. While attending Weill Cornell Medical College, she developed her passion for transplant medicine and was awarded Alpha Omega Alpha and Honors in Research for her characterization of mitochondrial injury during ischemia-reperfusion injury. Dr. Tow completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she served as an education resident, and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center. Subsequently she pursued her advanced fellowship training in Transplant Hepatology at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Medical Center.</p>
<p>Dr. Tow has been at Montefiore/Einstein since 2018, where she specializes on the complications of advanced liver diseases, liver cancer, and liver transplant. She believes every patient is an integral part of the Montefiore family and that patient knowledge is power. Her goal is to provide patients and their families the best medical care that is embedded in kindness, dignity, and respect. </p>
Dr. Tow specializes in the treatment of complications of advanced liver diseases, liver cancer, and liver transplant. She believes every patient is an integral part of the Montefiore Einstein family and that patient knowledge is power. Her goal is to provide patients and their families with the best medical care embedded in kindness, dignity, and respect.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
Dr. Tow’s research focuses on social determinants of health and outcomes related to liver transplantation and the care of advanced liver disease. She has spoken at invited lectures nationally and internationally, and her work has been published in many peer-reviewed journals, books, chapters, review articles, and abstracts.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
<p>Clara Y. Tow, MD, is Clinical Site Director, Hepatology, Associate Program Director, Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Fellowship Program, Co-Course Director, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Systems Course and Assistant Professor, Medicine at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Tow specializes in the treatment of complications of advanced liver diseases, liver cancer and liver transplant. She believes every patient is an integral part of the Montefiore Einstein family and that patient knowledge is power. Her goal is to provide patients and their families with the best medical care embedded in kindness, dignity and respect.</p><p>After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences from Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Tow earned her Doctor of Medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College. She then completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center. Following this, she completed a gastroenterology and liver diseases fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center before pursuing her advanced fellowship training in transplant hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.</p><p>Dr. Tow’s research focuses on social determinants of health and outcomes related to liver transplantation and the care of advanced liver disease. She has spoken at invited lectures nationally and internationally, and her work has been published in many peer-reviewed journals, books, chapters, review articles and abstracts.</p><p>Dr. Tow is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in transplant hepatology, gastroenterology and internal medicine. She is a member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). She is also a member of the Empire Liver Foundation and a Medical Advisor for the American Liver Foundation. In 2014, Dr. Tow won the Erica C. Jones & Naina Sinha-Gregory Prize in Medicine.</p>
Aaron Zev Tokayer
<p>Dr. Tokayer received his B.A. in from Yeshiva College and his M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. He completed an internship and residency at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center and GI and Hepatology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. He received an MHS degree in Clinical Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Dr. Tokayer then joined the Montefiore GI Faculty in 1992. He has been involved in the spectrum of clinical patient care, endoscopic interventions and teaching in the GI fellowship program. His areas of interest include clinical practice, patient care and education, endoscopic procedures and interventions, functional GI and motility disorders. He is Director of the GI Motility Lab where studies such as Esophageal Manometry, Esophageal Acid Monitoring and Impedance Testing, Ano-rectal Manometry and Defecatory Testing, Hydrogen Breath Testing for Bacterial overgrowth and Carbohydrate Maldigestion , and studies of gastric and intestinal transit. He works closely with colleagues of the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine as well as the Department of Surgery in diagnosing and treating GI motility disorders.</p>
Peter L. Tenore
Dr. Tenore is a Medical Director in the Division of Substance Abuse and is a wekk known figure in this field, having published in several journals and providing education in substance abuse to local and state agencies. He is an advisor to the New York State Ofice of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. He is certified in Internal Medicine and by examination in Addiction Medicine and a New York State HIV Provider. His particular interests are management of cocaine and other addictions as well as providing hepatitis C and HIV treatment in the methadone clinic setting.
DINO-VAMP: A Helpful Acronym in Determining Optimal Methadone Dosing and Brief review of Dosing Literature, Journal of Maintenance in the Addictions, Vol.2(4).
Guidance On Optimal Methadone Dosing, Addiction Treatment Forum, Vol.12 (2).
Methadone:A Medical Model in "Innovations in Substance Abuse Treatment and Policy," Yale University Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Yale Publicatinos, New Haven, CT.
Three Oral Formulations of Methadone: A Clinical and Pharmacodynamic Comparison, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Vol. 17(3), Gourevitch, Hartell, Tenore, et al.