Research at NYITCOM
Mastalgia Treatment and The Role for OMT
Studies various aspects of breast health, including mastalgia, breast cancer genetics, and breast cancer screening. Also studies physician beliefs surrounding the conflicting recommendations for breast and cervical cancer screening.
Principal Investigator: Sharon Koehler, M.D.
Vascular Calcification and Atherosclerosis
Calcification is the pathological deposition of minerals in the form of calcium phosphate salts into the vascular tissues. This process, along with dyslipidemia, inflammation and thickening of the intimal layer, are the primary causes of the development of atherosclerotic plaques. While this can occur with normal aging, it is accelerated in certain pathological states, such as diabetes mellitus and various genetic disorders and is associated with significant increases in morbidity and mortality. The Savinova Lab utilizes various mouse models of atherosclerosis to elucidate and understand the interactions between vascular calcification and associated end-organ dysfunction.
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor, Olga V. Savinova, Ph.D.
Association Between Parkinson's Disease and Cancer
Studies risk factors for cancer in Parkinson's Disease patients.
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean, Bhuma Krishnamachari, Ph.D.
Histopathological Studies of Human Disease and Medical Education
Studies the chronic inflammatory changes and vessel density in sun exposed and non-sun exposed skin using cadaveric material. Studies the relationship between solar elastosis and chronic inflammation and vessel density in sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed cadavers. Studies the incidence of renal fibrosis in kidneys with other histopathological parameters of chronic renal injury in the elderly. Studies the possible link between primary care medicine choice for residency and mindfulness as a contributing factor.
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor, Maria Plummer, M.D.
Mindfulness in Medical Education and OMM and the Immune Response
Studies the impact of mindfulness on pre-clinical education as well as residency choice. Studies the anatomic variations and the impact of OMM on immunology.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor, Greg Saggio, D.O.
The Role of DNA Damage Response and DNA Repair in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Therapy
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. The Zhang Lab focuses on the role of Breast Cancer Gene 1 (BRCA1) in DNA damage response and DNA repair. We also investigate novel synthetic lethal strategies to target breast cancers and ovarian cancers bearing the BRCA1 mutations.
Primary investigator: Professor, Dong Zhang, Ph.D.
Genetic Variation in Hereditary Disorders
Studies genetic basis for hereditary conditions including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, Toriello-Carey syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Primary investigator: David Tegay, D.O.
Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias in Various Disease States
Despite the progression of novel diagnostic and treatment modalities, the estimated lifetime risk for premature death due to arrhythmogenic sudden cardiac death remains high, especially with acquired comorbidities such as heart failure and alcohol-induced cardiac arrhythmias. The Zhang Lab studies the role of the cardiac autonomic nervous system on cardiac arrhythmogenesis in heart failure and other co-morbidities in order to determine and improve potential treatment options.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor, Youhua Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Geriatric Falls and Polypharmacy
Examines association between falls in the elderly and use of multiple medications, particularly those considered dangerous by the American Geriatric Society.
Primary investigator: Assistant Professor, Eleanor Yusupov, D.O.
Aquatic Vertebrate Tissues and Their Interaction with the Environment
Studies convergence in the vertebrate transition from terrestrial to aquatic (especially with Desmostylia, Sirenia, and Cetacea), with emphasis on studies of tooth wear, comparative anatomy and histology, radiological methods, and materials science.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor, Brian L. Beatty, Ph.D.