Einstein Experts

Professor, Medicine (Endocrinology)

Director, Institute for Aging Research

Director, Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging

Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research

Dr. Barzilai discovered the first “longevity gene” in humans. His research established that the gene variant that leads to high HDL, or “good cholesterol,” is linked to healthy aging and extreme longevity. Dr. Barzilai has been profiled by major outlets, including The New York Times and PBS’ “NOVA scienceNow.” read more...

Vice Chair and Professor, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Einstein

Director, Montefiore Headache Center

Director, Einstein Aging Study, Einstein

Edwin S. Lowe Chair in Neurology, Einstein

A noted authority on headaches and migraine, Dr. Lipton is director of the Montefiore Headache Center, recognized internationally for its leadership in the diagnosis, classification and treatment of headache disorders. Dr. Lipton is also director of the Einstein Aging Study, which has been examining both normal brain aging and the special challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias since 1980.  read more...

Professor, Developmental and Molecular Biology

Professor, Anatomy and Structural Biology

Co-Director, Institute for Aging Research

Robert and Renee Belfer Chair for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dr. Cuervo is considered a leader in the field of autophagy – the process by which cells recycle their waste. The Barcelona native is also an expert on the molecular biology of aging. Dr. Cuervo has been quoted in numerous publications, including The New York Times and the Scientist. She is co-editor-in-chief of Aging Cell and associate editor of Autophagy and has served on various NIH advisory panels and study sections. read more...

Professor and Chair, Genetics

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Lola and Saul Kramer Chair in Molecular Genetics

Dr. Vijg studies the molecular genetic changes associated with aging. Instability of genome and epigenome – the entire set of an organism’s genes and the switches that control their activity –  has long been implicated as the main cause of cancer and of the loss of organ and tissue function associated with aging. read more...

Professor, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Einstein

Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology, Einstein

Director, Division of Cognitive & Motor Aging, Department of Neurology, Einstein

Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center

Dr. Verghese is an expert on aging who assesses how diseases and aging affect cognitive ability and mobility in older adults. Among his current projects, he is studying whether brain stimulating activities can reduce the risk of dementia. He is also studying if divided attention tasks, such as walking while talking, can predict outcomes such as disability and cognitive decline. read more...

Professor and Co-Chair, Anatomy and Structural Biology

Judith and Burton P. Resnick Chair in Translational Research

Co-Director, Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center

Scientific Director, Analytical Imaging Facility

Dr. Condeelis is a pioneer in developing microscope techniques for use in “intravital imaging” – observing the behavior of cells in living animals. His work has led to a clinical test of biopsy tissue to determine whether a woman’s breast cancer will spread (metastasize), which could help determine treatment. Because of the test’s success, Dr. Condeelis and colleagues have licensed the patent rights to a biotech firm, which is developing the tissue test into a commercial product. read more...

Professor, Anatomy and Structural Biology

Betty and Sheldon Feinberg Senior Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research

Dr. Segall studies how tumor cells invade tissues and spread through the body. He has developed sophisticated imaging methods for following individual tumor cells moving in living animals. For example, one of his techniques involves a tiny glass window implanted in the skin of a mouse that allows scientists to track individual cancer cells as they spread a tumor site and attack other parts of the body. This technique could one day be used for assessing the effectiveness of specific drugs in preventing cancer from metastasizing. read more...

Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics

Director, Infant and Toddler Services, Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC)

Director, Rehabilitation, Evaluation and Learning for Autistic Infants and Toddlers at Einstein Program (RELATE), CERC

Attending Physician, Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore

Dr. Shulman is a developmental pediatrician with special expertise in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early identification of autism, healthcare disparity in autism diagnosis and management, and complementary and alternative medicine usage in autism. read more...

Associate Professor, Radiology

Associate Professor, Physiology & Biophysics

Director, Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center

Dr. Branch directs Einstein’s Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, which supports a wide variety of MRI studies of brain injury and disease, liver disease, cancer and other disorders. Dr. Branch specializes in the use of MRI to study both animal and human diseases. He was also one of the first to use MRI to measure blood flow in the brain and employs the technology to assess brain function and structure in a wide variety of disorders, including stroke, concussion and schizophrenia. read more...

Professor and Founding Chair, Systems & Computational Biology

Professor, Pathology

Professor, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience

Dr. Bergman combines data from basic and clinical research to create computer models of complex biological systems. As these models evolve, his work could contribute to calculating individualized medical outcomes and guiding treatment for patients based on their personal genetic make-up. Dr. Bergman has teamed with colleagues to study a variety of complex conditions, including aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. read more...

Professor, Clinical Medicine (Endocrinology), Einstein

Director, Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit, Einstein

Attending Physician, Montefiore Medical Center

An expert in diabetes prevention, Dr. Crandall is a principal investigator in the NIH-funded Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study, which showed that sustaining weight loss or taking an anti-diabetic drug can stave off type 2 diabetes in people at high risk for the disease. The American Diabetes Association recently funded Dr. Crandall to study whether the wine ingredient resveratrol can prevent diabetes in patients with prediabetes. read more...