Inside Einstein ::: Albert Einstein College of Medicine


November 2007-March 2008
	New Faces & Faculty Dr. Jonathan Backer has been appointed the next Director of the Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies. He succeeds Dr. Allan Wolkoff, who is stepping down after his five-year term as director. Dr. Backer, who also is professor of molecular pharmacology at Einstein, studies a family of enzymes, known as the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases), which regulate key cellular activities. These enzymes are vital for normal insulin action, and inappropriate activation of PI 3-kinase signaling is strongly implicated in human cancer. His research has earned him an international reputation in molecular pharmacology, as well as the role of sought-after mentor to many promising young scientists here at Einstein. He has trained some 20 individuals in his own lab and has served on the Belfer Institute Advisory Committee for nine years. As the Belfer Institute's director, Dr. Backer's focus will be on enhancing opportunities for postdoctoral investigators to take part in ground-breaking research by improving the mentoring, career development and quality of life assistance that Einstein provides to them. Dr. Aviv Bergman has been named Founding Professor and University Chairman of Einstein’s newly created Department of Systems and Computational Biology. The new department was created as a direct outgrowth of Einstein’s strategic research plan, which recognized the need for a new approach for dealing with newly emerging 21^st century challenges in medical research. Dr. Bergman’s research focuses on the evolution of complex biological systems and networks, such as the interactions that occur among genes or proteins. Dr. Bergman is a strong proponent of interdisciplinary collaborations in which theoreticians and laboratory scientists work together to advance scientific knowledge. With the help of numerous faculty recruits that he plans to hire within the next five years, Dr. Bergman will expand such collaborations into other areas of biomedical research. He will also be working to educate students, researchers and faculty throughout the medical school regarding the role that systems-level research, modeling, and computation will play in many research projects over the next decade. Robert Michler, M.D. has been named university chair of the Department of Surgery of Einstein and of Montefiore Medical Center, as well as surgeon-in-chief at Montefiore. As chair of surgery, Dr. Michler succeeds Dr. Arnold Berlin, who served with great distinction as interim chair for the past several years. In his role as surgeon-in-chief, Dr. Michler will oversee all operating room activities in both the Medical Center and its Children's Hospital. In addition to these new roles, Dr. Michler will continue to serve as the Samuel Belkin professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, a position he has held since 2005. In leading the Department of Surgery, Dr. Michler's focus will include recruiting renowned and promising surgeons in the fields of surgical oncology, breast surgery and women's health, colorectal surgery, pancreatic surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Jeffrey Pessin, Ph.D. is the new Director of the Diabetes Research Center at Einstein. A world-renowned scientist, Dr. Pessin’s research has encompassed several critical aspects of diabetes, including studying the role of insulin signaling in activating and controlling glucose uptake and metabolism, understanding adult stem cell development of adipose tissue and examining why newly developed fat cells persist despite weight loss. He is professor of medicine at Einstein and holds the Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Professorial Chair in Diabetes Research. Simon D. Spivack, M.D., MPH, is the new division chief in pulmonary medicine at Einstein and its University Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center. He came to Einstein earlier this year from the Wadsworth Center for Laboratories & Research of the New York State Department of Health in Albany. A key goal of Dr. Spivack’s research is to develop noninvasive strategies for identifying people at especially high risk for lung cancer. One of his approaches involves analyzing DNA in exhaled breath, looking for modifications, known as biomarkers, that may pinpoint individuals at special risk for disease. Dr. Spivack is associate professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health at Einstein. During the first week of February, the College of Medicine welcomed Tom H. Karson, M.D. as Director of Research Computing. In this new role, Dr. Karson will oversee the research informatics and computational needs of Einstein faculty. He also will direct the information technology functions that support research efforts at Yeshiva. Dr. Karson’s recruitment completes the leadership management group of our new Information Technology Services (ITS) organization. In addition to playing this key role in the ITS administrative structure, Dr. Karson will have an appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology. Dr. Victoria Freedman was promoted to Director of the Graduate Programs at Einstein and will now oversee operations and planning for the Ph.D. program of the Sue Golding Division of Biomedical Sciences, which encompasses the graduate portion of the Medical Scientist Training Program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. In addition to directing the Graduate School Office and its administrator and staff, overseeing recruitment of new students and the administration of the graduate program and its funds, Dr. Freedman will serve as program advisor to each student until the student has a thesis or dissertation director. In November, Gordon Earle was named the first Associate Dean for Public Affairs and Communications at Einstein. In his newly established role, Mr. Earle will oversee all aspects of communications, including media relations, branding, marketing, publications, and community and governmental relations, and the Einstein website. Early in his career, Mr. Earle was senior producer of the MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour on PBS for which he won numerous awards, including a Peabody. He previously served as vice president of public affairs and communications at Stanford University. In January, Yvonne M. Ramirez arrived at the Einstein campus to fill the newly defined role of Chief Human Resources Officer for Yeshiva University. In that position, Ms. Ramirez will provide leadership in developing HR policies and programs that will help Yeshiva achieve its long-term strategic plans and position the University as an employer of choice among universities in the metro NY area. Although serving all of Yeshiva, Ms. Ramirez’s main office will be located at Einstein. Among her other responsibilities will be recruitment and compensation strategies, organizational and staff development, health and pension programs, and helping to implement new financial and administrative systems for the University, while also working closely with Diane Fogarty, Michael Sica and Einstein’s other HR staff to oversee and deliver HR services to our community. Salvatore Ciampo was appointed new Senior Director of Facilities Management. Mr. Ciampo comes to Einstein from St. John’s University, where he served as Vice President for Facilities Construction. He brings more than 20 years experience leading the capital construction programs and the operations side of facilities management to his new role at Einstein. Mr. Ciampo will be a valuable contributor as we begin implementation our Strategic Research Plan. Following a national search, Einstein has appointed one of its own, David Kallus, to serve as Director of Finance. In this role, Mr. Kallus will oversee the planning and management of Einstein’s financial resources, in support of the College of Medicine’s mission. As a member of the Einstein community since 1978, Mr. Kallus brings tremendous perspective and understanding to the future growth and development of the medical school. HOME

November 2007-March 2008

New Faces & Faculty

Dr. Jonathan Backer has been appointed the next Director of the Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies. He succeeds Dr. Allan Wolkoff, who is stepping down after his five-year term as director. Dr. Backer, who also is professor of molecular pharmacology at Einstein, studies a family of enzymes, known as the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases), which regulate key cellular activities. These enzymes are vital for normal insulin action, and inappropriate activation of PI 3-kinase signaling is strongly implicated in human cancer. His research has earned him an international reputation in molecular pharmacology, as well as the role of sought-after mentor to many promising young scientists here at Einstein. He has trained some 20 individuals in his own lab and has served on the Belfer Institute Advisory Committee for nine years. As the Belfer Institute's director, Dr. Backer's focus will be on enhancing opportunities for postdoctoral investigators to take part in ground-breaking research by improving the mentoring, career development and quality of life assistance that Einstein provides to them.

Dr. Aviv Bergman has been named Founding Professor and University Chairman of Einstein’s newly created Department of Systems and Computational Biology. The new department was created as a direct outgrowth of Einstein’s strategic research plan, which recognized the need for a new approach for dealing with newly emerging 21^st century challenges in medical research. Dr. Bergman’s research focuses on the evolution of complex biological systems and networks, such as the interactions that occur among genes or proteins. Dr. Bergman is a strong proponent of interdisciplinary collaborations in which theoreticians and laboratory scientists work together to advance scientific knowledge. With the help of numerous faculty recruits that he plans to hire within the next five years, Dr. Bergman will expand such collaborations into other areas of biomedical research. He will also be working to educate students, researchers and faculty throughout the medical school regarding the role that systems-level research, modeling, and computation will play in many research projects over the next decade.

Robert Michler, M.D. has been named university chair of the Department of Surgery of Einstein and of Montefiore Medical Center, as well as surgeon-in-chief at Montefiore. As chair of surgery, Dr. Michler succeeds Dr. Arnold Berlin, who served with great distinction as interim chair for the past several years. In his role as surgeon-in-chief, Dr. Michler will oversee all operating room activities in both the Medical Center and its Children's Hospital. In addition to these new roles, Dr. Michler will continue to serve as the Samuel Belkin professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, a position he has held since 2005. In leading the Department of Surgery, Dr. Michler's focus will include recruiting renowned and promising surgeons in the fields of surgical oncology, breast surgery and women's health, colorectal surgery, pancreatic surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

Jeffrey Pessin, Ph.D. is the new Director of the Diabetes Research Center at Einstein. A world-renowned scientist, Dr. Pessin’s research has encompassed several critical aspects of diabetes, including studying the role of insulin signaling in activating and controlling glucose uptake and metabolism, understanding adult stem cell development of adipose tissue and examining why newly developed fat cells persist despite weight loss. He is professor of medicine at Einstein and holds the Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Professorial Chair in Diabetes Research.

Simon D. Spivack, M.D., MPH, is the new division chief in pulmonary medicine at Einstein and its University Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center. He came to Einstein earlier this year from the Wadsworth Center for Laboratories & Research of the New York State Department of Health in Albany. A key goal of Dr. Spivack’s research is to develop noninvasive strategies for identifying people at especially high risk for lung cancer. One of his approaches involves analyzing DNA in exhaled breath, looking for modifications, known as biomarkers, that may pinpoint individuals at special risk for disease. Dr. Spivack is associate professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health at Einstein.

During the first week of February, the College of Medicine welcomed Tom H. Karson, M.D. as Director of Research Computing. In this new role, Dr. Karson will oversee the research informatics and computational needs of Einstein faculty. He also will direct the information technology functions that support research efforts at Yeshiva. Dr. Karson’s recruitment completes the leadership management group of our new Information Technology Services (ITS) organization. In addition to playing this key role in the ITS administrative structure, Dr. Karson will have an appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology.

Dr. Victoria Freedman was promoted to Director of the Graduate Programs at Einstein and will now oversee operations and planning for the Ph.D. program of the Sue Golding Division of Biomedical Sciences, which encompasses the graduate portion of the Medical Scientist Training Program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. In addition to directing the Graduate School Office and its administrator and staff, overseeing recruitment of new students and the administration of the graduate program and its funds, Dr. Freedman will serve as program advisor to each student until the student has a thesis or dissertation director.

In November, Gordon Earle was named the first Associate Dean for Public Affairs and Communications at Einstein. In his newly established role, Mr. Earle will oversee all aspects of communications, including media relations, branding, marketing, publications, and community and governmental relations, and the Einstein website. Early in his career, Mr. Earle was senior producer of the MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour on PBS for which he won numerous awards, including a Peabody. He previously served as vice president of public affairs and communications at Stanford University.

In January, Yvonne M. Ramirez arrived at the Einstein campus to fill the newly defined role of Chief Human Resources Officer for Yeshiva University. In that position, Ms. Ramirez will provide leadership in developing HR policies and programs that will help Yeshiva achieve its long-term strategic plans and position the University as an employer of choice among universities in the metro NY area. Although serving all of Yeshiva, Ms. Ramirez’s main office will be located at Einstein. Among her other responsibilities will be recruitment and compensation strategies, organizational and staff development, health and pension programs, and helping to implement new financial and administrative systems for the University, while also working closely with Diane Fogarty, Michael Sica and Einstein’s other HR staff to oversee and deliver HR services to our community.

Salvatore Ciampo was appointed new Senior Director of Facilities Management. Mr. Ciampo comes to Einstein from St. John’s University, where he served as Vice President for Facilities Construction. He brings more than 20 years experience leading the capital construction programs and the operations side of facilities management to his new role at Einstein. Mr. Ciampo will be a valuable contributor as we begin implementation our Strategic Research Plan.

Following a national search, Einstein has appointed one of its own, David Kallus, to serve as Director of Finance. In this role, Mr. Kallus will oversee the planning and management of Einstein’s financial resources, in support of the College of Medicine’s mission. As a member of the Einstein community since 1978, Mr. Kallus brings tremendous perspective and understanding to the future growth and development of the medical school.

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