Anni, Ph.D., Eleni 
Phone: 215-503-5064
Email: eleni.anni@jefferson.edu

University of Patras, Greece, 1984. Biomarkers of alcoholism, anti-alcoholism drugs and proteomics.

Aplin, Ph.D., Andrew E.
Phone: 215-503-7296
Email: Andrew.Aplin@KimmelCancerCenter.Org

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It arises from epidermal melanocytes, the pigment producing cells in the skin, or their progenitors. Currently, the treatment options for melanoma are ineffective; hence, there is an immediate need to understand the mechanisms underlying melanocyte transformation. We utilize molecular biology and clinical grade inhibitor approaches to alter key signaling pathways in primary human melanocytes and a panel of melanoma cells characterizing different stages of melanoma progression. In order to closely mimic the in vivo microenvironment, we test the role of target proteins in a 3-D skin reconstruct model. Ultimately, we expect to identify the mechanisms underlying invasive growth of melanomas and, in doing so, identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Arafat,, Hwyda 
Phone: (215) 955-6383
Email: HWYDA.ARAFAT@jefferson.edu

M.D., Ain Shams Medical School, Cairo, Egypt M.S., Ain Shams Medical School, Cairo, Egypt: Anatomy Ph.D., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Ain Shams Medical School: Cell Biology/Immunology. My laboratory is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation signaling in two pancreatic diseases, type 1diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Astrof, Ph.D., Sophie 
Phone: 215-955-9992
Email: sophie.astrof@jefferson.edu

The main focus of my lab is to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development in vertebrates. Heart is the first organ to form during embryogenesis. It's a complex and obviously, a very important organ. Congenital heart defects are among the most common and most severe birth defects in humans, and therefore, understanding basic details about how the heart and the vasculature form would undoubtedly lead to the design of more effective therapies to treat congenital heart defects in the future.

Brody, Jonathan R
Phone: 215-955-2693
Email: Jonathan.Brody@jefferson.edu

Covarrubias, M.D., Ph.D., Manuel L.
Phone: (215) 503-4341
Email: Manuel.Covarrubias@jefferson.edu

The structure, function and regulation of voltage-gated potassium channels

The long-term goal of our research is to gain mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of electrical signaling in neuronal and cardiac tissues. To reach this goal, we investigate two separate aspects: 1) the molecular physiology of somatodendritic potassium channels, and 2) the molecular architecture of a general anesthetic site in potassium channels.

Curtis, M.D., Ph.D., Mark T.
Phone: 215-955-6206
Email: Mark.Curtis@jefferson.edu

Dimuzio, Paul J.
Phone: 215-955-8304
Email: Paul.Dimuzio@jefferson.edu

Eisenman, Ph.D., Leonard M.
Phone: (215) 503-1686
Email: Leonard.Eisenman@jefferson.edu

Duke, 1974. Neuroscience: anatomical, developmental, and functional studies of the organization of the cerebellum with the use of rodents and neurologically mutant mice, with an emphasis on development of the topographic and synaptic organization of afferent systems to the cerebellum.

Enomoto-Iwamoto, Ph.D, D.D.S, Motomi 
Email: Motomi.Iwamoto@jefferson.edu

(Osaka University, Japan, 1987) Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Research Interests: Wnt Signaling in chondrocytes during embryonic skeletogenesis and degradation.
Funding Support: National Institutes of Health (NIAMS).

Fenderson, Ph.D., Bruce A.
Phone: 215-503-2256
Email: Bruce.Fenderson@jefferson.edu

Johns Hopkins, 1980. Mechanisms of morphogenesis and malignancy; role of cell-surface carbohydrates in mediation of cell recognition during development; use of monoclonal anticarbohydrate antibodies to study lineage formation, cell differentiation, and neoplastic transformation.

Fertala, Ph.D., Andrzej 
Phone: 215-503-0113
Email: Andrzej.Fertala@jefferson.edu

(University of Silesia, Poland, 1982), Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Medicine
Research Interests: Mechanism of self assembly of fibrillar collagen; use of "smart collagen" for tissue engineering; skeletal regeneration.
Funding Support: National Institute of Health (NIAMS, NASA).

Freeman, PHD, Theresa  A.
Phone: 215-955-1068
Email: theresa.freeman@jefferson.edu

Initiating pathology of osteoarthritis; early factors involving vascular invasion of articular cartilage and subchondral bone remodeling in osteoarthritic progression. Molecular mechanisms of Arthrofibrosis, an aberrant fibrotic response to total knee replacement surgery.

Grunwald, Ph.D., Gerald B.
Phone: (215) 503-4191
Email: Gerald.Grunwald@jefferson.edu

Professor; Ph.D., Wisconsin, 1981. Developmental biology and neuroscience; eye development and disease, analysis of the role of cadherin cell adhesion molecules in normal and abnormal embryonic development and in proliferative diseases of the nervous mechanisms of cadherin expression and function.

Hajnoczky, M.D., Ph.D., Gyorgy 
Phone: (215) 503-1427
Email: Gyorgy.Hajnoczky@jefferson.edu

Semmelweis, Budapest, 1987; Ph.D., National Academy of Sciences, Hungary, 1995. Intracellular calcium signaling; inositol trisphosphate-linked hormones; organization of calcium mobilization from endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum; mitochondrial calcium signaling; calcium-dependent control over life and death of cells; fluorometric, fluorescence microscope imaging and electrophysiological approaches.

Hickok, Ph.D., Noreen J.
Phone: (215) 955-6979
Email: Noreen.Hickok@jefferson.edu

(Brandeis University, 1981) Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.
Research Interests: Bone-biomaterial interaction and implant design; tissue engineering of bone and cartilage; mechanisms of chondrocyte hypertrophy; regulation of cell proliferation via cytoskeletal/oncogene interactions; confocal laser imaging of cells and extracellular matrix proteins.
Funding Support: National Institutes of Health (NIAMS), Dept. of Defense.

Hoek, Ph.D., Jan B.
Phone: (215) 503-5016
Email: Jan.Hoek@jefferson.edu

Amsterdam, 1972. Systems biology of intracellular signal transduction networks; deregulation of cytokine and growth factor signaling in the liver associated with chronic alcohol consumption; early signaling responses during liver regeneration; bioenergetics and mitochondrial metabolism and its role in intracellular signaling and apoptosis.

Iacovitti, Ph.D., Lorraine 
Phone: (215) 955-8118
Email: Lorraine.Iacovitti@jefferson.edu

Cornell, 1979. Developmental biology and neuroscience; mechanisms of neuronal cell differentiation and development of neurotransmitter class; application of immortalized stem cells to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Iozzo, M.D., Renato V.
Phone: 215-503-2208
Email: iozzo@kimmelcancercenter.org

Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology, and Director of the Extracellular Matrix Program at the Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University. After receiving an M.D. degree summa cum laude from the University of Florence, Italy, he moved to the Department of Pathology at the University of Washington, where he completed a five-year Residency/Fellowship. Following a six-year faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania, he moved to Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Iozzo has received many awards including the Benjamin Castleman Award from the International Academy of Pathology, the Junior Faculty Research Award from the American Cancer Society, the Burlington Resources Foundation Faculty Achievement Award, and the Faculty Research Award from the American Cancer Society. In 2008, Dr. Iozzo received an Honorary Professorship at the School of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. His research focuses on the biology of proteoglycans and their roles in cancer and angiogenesis.

Iwamoto, D.D.S., Ph.D, Masahiro 
Phone: 215-955-4076
Email: Masahiro.Iwamoto@jefferson.edu

(Osaka University, Japan, 1988) Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Research Interests: Determining the mechanism of specification of the phenotype of articular chondrocytes.
Funding Support: Yamanouchi USA Foundation.

Jasmin, Jean Francois 
Phone: 215-503-9288
Email: JeanFrancois.Jasmin@jefferson.edu

Jaynes, Ph.D., James B.
Phone: 215-503-4778
Email: jaynes@jci.tju.edu

Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, WA 1980. Developmental genetics and molecular biology of processes regulated by homeodomain transcription factors and higher order chromatin structure.

Jiang, Ph.D., Bing-Hua 
Phone: 215-503-6147
Email: bhjiang@jefferson.edu

Joseph, Ph.D., Suresh K.
Phone: (215) 503-1221
Email: Suresh.Joseph@jefferson.edu

Bristol (England). Structure, function, and regulation of the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R); biosynthesis and assembly of IP3R homo- and heteroligomers; mechanisms of proteosomal and lysosomal degradation of IP3R.

Kaji, Ph.D., Hideko 
Phone: 215-503-6547
Email: Hideko.Kaji@jefferson.edu

Ph.D., Purdue, Molecular mechanisms/function of A) prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosome recycling in protein synthesis B) protein modification by arginylation via arginyl tRNA protein transferase.

Knudsen, Ph.D., Erik 
Phone: 215-503-8578
Email: Erik.Knudsen@jefferson.edu

RB Tumor Suppressor Pathway Involvement in Cancer Etiology and Therapeutic Response
Research Foci: Research is focused on the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB). This tumor suppressor is lost or functionally inactivated in the majority of human cancers. The Knudsen laboratory takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding how RB functions to inhibit tumorigenesis and to devise new means to effectively target the RB-pathway in the treatment of cancer.

Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., Michael Phillip
Phone: 215-503-9295
Email: michael.lisanti@kimmelcancercenter.org

B.A., New York University, Chemistry, 1985 Ph.D., Cornell University Medical College, Cell Biology and Genetics, 1991 M.D., Cornell University Medical College, Medicine, 1992 Visiting Scientist, Rockefeller University, NY, 1991-1992 Fellow, Whitehead Institute/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, 1992-1997 The focus of my laboratory is to understand, at the molecular and cellular level, the role of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in i) normal signaling and ii) pathogenic signaling during the development of human cancers. Our work over the last decade directly demonstrates that Cav-1 functions as a brake during signal transduction, akin to the behavior of other tumor suppressor genes.

Mazo, Ph.D., Alexander M.
Phone: 215-503-4785
Email: mazo@mail.jci.tju.edu

Ph.D., Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia, 1976. Transcriptional regulation by epigenetic factors and nuclear hormone receptors.

McMahon, Ph.D., Steven 
Phone: 215-503-9064
Email: Steven.McMahon@jci.tju.edu

Dr. McMahon has identified 40 novel MYC targets, which include MTAI, BAG-1,POLRT and CD30, and current investigations seek to explore their biological significance during MYC-mediated transformation. Dr. McMahons lab is also focused on examining the regulation of p53 function by acetylation at lysine K120; Interested in exploring multiple aspects surrounding the ubiquitin hydrolase USP22.

Menko, Ph.D., A. Sue
Phone: (215) 503-2166
Email: sue.menko@jefferson.edu

Pennsylvania, 1978. Role of integrins in the regulation of cell differentiation: Integrin signalling of cell differentiation events, particularly integrin-growth factor receptor coordinated signalling.

Merry, Ph.D., Diane E.
Phone: (215) 503-4907
Email: Diane.Merry@jefferson.edu

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania. The research in my lab centers on understanding the molecular pathways by which motor neurons become dysfunctional in response to expression of polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor in the neurodegenerative disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. In a more general sense, these studies are designed to understand how neurons respond to the accumulation of misfolded proteins. Thus, much of the research in my lab is disease-driven basic research.

Pacifici, Ph.D., Maurizio 
Phone: 215-955-7352
Email: Maurizio.Pacifici@jefferson.edu

University of Rome, 1974 Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Director, Division of Orthopaedic Research

Dr. Pacifici's biomedical research work focuses on mechanisms controlling skeletal development and growth in fetal and postnatal life. Emphasis is on identification of molecular regulators acting at the nuclear level that direct commitment, determination and differentiation of progenitor skeletal cells. Overall goal is to target those regulators in gene- and drug-based therapies to repair and reconstruct skeletal tissues affected by pathologies, including osteoarthritis and congenital skeletal defects.

Parvizi, MD FRCS, Javad 

Paumet, Fabienne 
Phone: 215-503-8567
Email: Fabienne.Paumet@jefferson.edu

MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF PHAGOCYTOSIS: how do pathogens subvert this process? *Unraveling membrane trafficking involved in the phagocytic pathway and its regulation *How do bacteria interfere with the host phagocytic system to escape lysosomal degradation?
CHARACTERIZATION OF EUKARYOTIC MEMBRANE FUSION MACHINERY
*Identification and characterization of primitive membrane fusion machineries (similar to SNARE proteins?)
*Characterization of the specificity of fusion encoded in the SNARE proteins
*Characterization of intramolecular SNARE regulation

Peiper, M.D., Stephen C.
Phone: 215-955-5060
Email: stephen.peiper@jefferson.edu

Department Chair
279 Jefferson Alumni Hall
1020 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
19107
Phone: 215-955-5060

Peppel, Karsten 
Phone: 215-503-9428
Email: Karsten.Peppel@jefferson.edu

Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., Richard G
Phone: 215-503-5692
Email: director@kimmelcancercenter.org

Professor of Oncology and Medicine
Director, Kimmel Cancer Center

Dr. Pestell completed his M.D. (1981) and Ph.D. degrees in Australia. He undertook post doctoral and clinical training in Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology and continued research at Harvard University and served as Clinical fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Major contributions are to the area of cell-cycle control and targeted cancer therapies. These include the discovery that cyclins are direct transcriptional targets of oncogenic and tumor suppressor signals and that cyclin expression is rate-limiting for oncogene-induced tumor growth in vivo. His laboratory pioneered the application of tissue-specific inducible transgenics and the development of gene-targeted and transgenic mice providing superior model of human cancer. His patent of light activated gene therapy, which allows single cell targeting of a payload, is broad including all genes in the human genome.

Philp, Ph.D., Nancy J.
Phone: 215-503-7854
Email: Nancy.Philp@jefferson.edu

Research interest is a combianation of monocarboxylate transporters; CD147; retinal pigmment epithelium; retinal metabolism; glycolysis, and JAM-C

Radice, Ph.D., Glenn 
Phone: 215-503-5157
Email: Glenn.Radice@jefferson.edu

Abnormal tissue architecture is associated with many forms of disease including cardiomyopathy and cancer. The Radice lab investigates the function of cadherins, a family of cell adhesion molecules, responsible for maintaining cell-cell interactions and communication under normal and pathological conditions. Gene targeted mouse models are used to understand the relationship between adherens junctions and gap junctions and how malfunction of these junctional complexes leads to sudden arrhythmic death.

Riobo, Ph.D., Natalia A.
Phone: 215-503-8549
Email: natalia.riobo@jefferson.edu

Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires. Signal transduction mechanisms employed by mammalian Hedgehog proteins in stem cells, endothelium and stromal fibroblasts in the context of cardiovascular regenerative medicine and cancer biology.

Risbud, Ph.D., Makarand V.
Email: MAKARAND.RISBUD@jefferson.edu

Major research focus of my lab is to study the mechanisms by which nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc adapt to avascular (hypoxic) and osmotically compromising environment. In this regard, we are studying role of transciption factors HIFs and TonEBP and signaling events that control their function. Another major research interest is to device tissue-enginering based strategies for intervertebral disc regeneration. We are testing hypothesis that adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplanted into the disc will assume nucleus pulposus-like phenotype and achieve functional restoration of degenerate disc. Our recent work shows that MSC differentiate into nucleus pulposus-like cells when cultured under conditions similar to that exist in the disc in vivo. A whole disc organ culture is also under investigation to understand aspects of disc cell function in an ex vivo setting.

Root, M.D., Ph.D., Michael 
Phone: 215-503-4564
Email: mroot@mail.jci.tju.edu

M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 1997. Ph.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 1997. Structure and function of glycoproteins involved in viral and cell-cell membrane fusion; design of viral entry inhibitors and immunogens for vaccine development.

Rostami, Abdolmohamad 
Phone: 215-955-1234
Email: A.M.Rostami@jefferson.edu

My research focuses on...

1) The role of IL-12/IL-17/IL-23 axis in the pathogenesis of EAE and multiple sclerosis.

2) The effect of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor on the course of EAE. This study has the potential to provide a novel, safe, and effective therapy for multiple sclerosis.

3) Mechanisms of intravenous tolerance in EAE.

Rui, M.D., Ph.D., Hallgeir 
Phone: 215-503-9259
Email: Hallgeir.Rui@jefferson.edu

The Laboratory''s current research is focused on mechanistic identification of aberrant Jak-Stat signal transduction during human breast cancer progression that the laboratory has discovered. Recent progress includes recognition of the prolactin-induced Jak2-Stat5 pathway as a pro-differentiation pathway in human breast cancer, which during progression of human breast cancer is replaced by aberrant signaling through a Jak1-Stat3 pathway that may promote invasion and metastasis. Consistent with this notion, new data demonstrate that activation of Stat5 is a highly favorable prognostic marker in node-negative breast cancer. An invasion-suppressive role of Stat5 in human breast cancer may explain the mechanism of the favorable prognosis associated with active Stat5 in early stage breast cancer. A new technology for microarraying of tissue, cells, and other solid materials, cutting edge matrix assembly (CEMA), has been developed.

Schneider, Ph.D., Jay S.
Phone: (215) 503-0370
Email: Jay.Schneider@jefferson.edu

Focus: Basic, clinical and translational research on on cognitive and motor aspects of Parkinson's disease with focuses on both symptomatic and neuroprotective treatment strategies; basic and clinical research on developmental neurotoxicology with an emphasis on lead-induced damage to the brain.

Schwaber, Ph.D., James S.
Phone: 215-503-7823
Email: James.Schwaber@jefferson.edu

Director of Daniel Baugh Institute for Functional Genomics and Computational Biology; Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell Biology
Adjunct Professor Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware

Dr. Schwaber uses systems biology approaches in mammalian brain to study adaptive neuronal processes. Specifically his interests involve mechanisms by which hypertension arises in homeostatic cardiorespiratory regulatory circuits, by which the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are produced and by which phase shifting of light causes the brain''s master clock to reorganize circadian behavior.

Seifert, Erin L
Phone: 215-503-5030
Email: erin.seifert@jefferson.edu

Shapiro, B.D.S., Ph.D., Irving M.
Phone: (215) 955-7217
Email: Irving.Shapiro@jefferson.edu

(University of London, 1969) Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Director, Division of Orthopaedic Research.
Research Interests: Cell and molecular biology of bone and cartilage formation; mechanisms of biological mineralization; analysis of energy metabolism in skeletal cells; mechanisms of apoptosis of chondrocytes and osteoblasts; design of implant materials; origin and function of cells of the intervertebral disc; effects of space flight on bone cell function.
Funding Support: National Institutes of Health (NIDCR, NIAMS); NASA; Dept. of Defense.

Siracusa, Ph.D., Linda D.
Phone: 215-503-4536
Email: Siracusa@mail.jci.tju.edu

Molecular genetics and biology of hair and skin development and disease processes; identification and characterization of cancer susceptibility genes.

Taraschi, Ph.D., Theodore F.
Phone: (215) 503-5020
Email: Theodore.Taraschi@jefferson.edu

Ph.D., Rutgers University, Chemistry, 1980. Vice Chair for Education, Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell Biology. Program Director, Cell & Developmental Biology Program

Areas of research include:
1) Elucidation of parasite protein trafficking pathways from intracellular parasites to the erythrocyte cytosol and host cell membrane.
2) Determinantion of the mechanism of hemoglobin uptake and transport by intraerythrocytic parasites.
3) Characterization of parasite DNA repair pathways (e.g. base excision and mismatch repair). Continued identification of the cellular components of these trafficking pathways to gain a better understanding of transport mechanisms in malaria-infected erythrocytes.

Uitto, M.D., Ph.D., Jouni J.
Phone: (215) 503-5785
Email: Jouni.Uitto@jefferson.edu

(University of Helsinki, 1970) Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology; Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; Director, Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine.
Research Interests: Molecular biology of the cutaneous basement membranes; genetic disorders of the skin; heritable connective tissue disorders.
Funding Support: National Institutes of Health (NIAMS); Dermatology Foundation.

Vadigepalli, Ph.D., Rajanikanth 
Phone: 215-955-0576
Email: raj@mail.dbi.tju.edu

Van Bockstaele, Ph.D., Elisabeth J.
Phone: 215-503-1245

B.A., Sarah Lawrence College, Biology, 1985 M.S., New York University, Neurobiology, 1988 Ph.D., New York University, Neurobiology, 1991 Dr. Van Bockstaele is an active faculty member in the education of medical students and residents at TJU. She coordinates basic science research activities focused in the neurosciences and assists residents in developing research projects during their research rotations. As a mentor for numerous graduate and medical students over the past ten years, Dr. Van Bockstaele has demonstrated expertise in training postgraduate students. Her participation on NIH study sections aimed at supporting research programs for PhD, MD and MD/PhD applicants will facilitate the submission of such proposals from current neuroscience graduate students and neurosurgical residents.

Waldman, M.D., Ph.D., Scott A.
Phone: (215) 955-6086
Email: Scott.Waldman@jefferson.edu

Professor; Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson, 1980; M.D., Stanford, 1987. Molecular mechanisms of signal transduction, with emphasis on receptor-effector coupling and post-receptor signaling mechanisms; molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific transcriptional regulation; translation of molecular signaling mechanisms to novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with cancer.

Wang, Zi-Xuan  (Zoe)
Phone: 215-955-0611
Email: Zi-Xuan.Wang@jefferson.edu

My research interests are concentrated on geonomic and personalized medicine. I recently established the Pathology Translational Genomics Laboratory and serve as Scientific Director of the facility. We have developed the capabilities for performing whole genome profiling for the analysis of microDNA expression, DNA methylation, and DNA copy number changes by array comparative genomic hybridization using current microarray technology. The laboratory also has developed next generation sequencing technology using Roche 454 FLEX sequencer. Applications that are in progress include RNA seq, ChIP seq, genome mutation detection, and verification of DNA methylation with bisulfite conversion. I collaborate with basic scientists and clinicians to study molecular mechanisms of human diseases with an emphasis on the changes at the genomic level.

Wedegaertner, Ph.D., Philip B.
Phone: 215-503-3137
Email: Philip.Wedegaertner@mail.jci.tju.edu

Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, CA. 1991. G-protein signal transduction; molecular mechanisms and functions of covalent modifications and regulated subcellular localization.

Winter, Ph.D., Edward 
Phone: (215) 503-4139
Email: Edward.Winter@jefferson.edu

Ph.D., SUNY at Stony Brook, 1984. Meiotic development; chromosome structure and function; MAP kinase signaling pathways in yeast.