University Presidential Professorships held by PSOM faculty
Nduka M. Amankulor, MD
Presidential Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Nduka.Amankulor@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
800-789-7366
RESEARCH
In addition to his clinical practice focused on the surgical treatment of complex brain and spine tumors, Dr. Amankulor is a cancer biologist and immunologist engaged in developing new therapeutic strategies for primary (diffuse gliomas and GBM) and metastatic brain tumors.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Donita C. Brady, PhD
Harrison McCrea Dickson, MD & Clifford C. Baker, MD Presidential Associate Professor of Cancer Biology
bradyd@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-573-9705
RESEARCH
Dr. Brady's research program is founded in a new paradigm in nutrient sensing and protein regulation, termed metalloallostery, where redox-active metals control kinase activity, and is advancing our knowledge in basic science and disease-focused areas. Her focus lies at the intersection of kinase signaling and copper (Cu) homeostasis with the goal of defining the mechanistic features of Cu-dependent kinases to target them in cancer via drug repurposing or development.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Duke University
Sharlene M. Day, MD
Presidential Associate Professor of Medicine
sharlene.day@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
RESEARCH
Dr. Day's research focuses on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetic cardiovascular disease of Mendelian inheritance, and integrates basic, translational and clinical science. She has a strong interest in learning how genetic and non-genetic factors (particularly exercise) influence the cardiovascular phenotype and clinical outcomes in patients.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
University of Michigan
César de la Fuente, PhD
Presidential Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
cfuente@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-6083
RESEARCH
Dr. de la Fuente's research combines the power of machines and biology to study, detect, and treat infectious diseases. Current application areas include developing novel approaches for antibiotic discovery, building tools for microbiome engineering, and creating low-cost diagnostics.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Ramon R. Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD
John McCrea Dickson, MD Presidential Professor of Neurology
Ramon.Diaz-Arrastia@uphs.upenn.edu
RESEARCH
Dr. Diaz-Arrastia's research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal injury and neuroregeneration, with the goal of developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. He studies the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combines imaging, genomic, and tissue biomarkers to develop more targeted, personalized therapies.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Roberto Dominguez, PhD
William Maul Measey Presidential Professor in Physiology II
droberto@pennmedicine.upenn.ed
215-573-4559
RESEARCH
The main focus of Dr. Dominguez's research is to understand the molecular basis for how protein-protein interaction networks bring together cytoskeleton scaffolding, nucleation, elongation, and signaling proteins to accomplish specific cellular functions. He uses protein X-ray crystallography to create atomic “snapshots” resulting from the X-ray crystal structures of proteins and a host of other approaches, including mutagenesis, bio-informatics, biophysical and biochemical methods, to understand dynamic aspects of protein-protein interactions.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Boston Biomedical Research Institute
Oluwadamilola "Lola" Fayanju, MD, MA, MPHS
Helen O. Dickens, M.D. Presidential Associate Professor of Surgery
Oluwadamilola.Fayanju@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-4392
RESEARCH
Dr. Fayanju's research focuses on health disparities, aggressive breast cancer variants, and improving value in oncology, particularly through the collection and application of patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Duke University
Kellie Ann Jurado, PhD
Presidential Assistant Professor of Microbiology
kellie.jurado@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-573-6378
RESEARCH
Dr. Jurado's research focuses on delineating disease pathogenesis of emerging viruses in order to uncover mechanisms of immune control. She primarily focuses on emerging viral pathogens that present with unknown mechanisms of disease in the nervous system or placenta.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Yale University School of Medicine
Holly Fernandez Lynch, JD, MBe
John Russell Dickson, MD Presidential Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics & Health Policy
lynchhf@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-7327
RESEARCH
Dr. Fernandez Lynch's research focuses on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy, access to investigational medicines outside clinical trials, clinical research ethics, and the ethics of gatekeeping in health care. Her specific areas of expertise include Institutional Review Board (IRB) quality, payment to research participants, research prioritization, pre-approval access pathways (e.g., Expanded Access, Emergency Use Authorization, and Right to Try), and efforts to balance speed and certainty in drug approvals, including pathways that rely on post-approval trials such as accelerated approval.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Harvard University
Mitesh S. Patel, MD, MBA
Ralph Muller Presidential Associate Professor of Medicine
mpatel@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
RESEARCH
Dr. Patel’s research leverages concepts from behavioral economics to design connected health approaches to improve individual health behaviors. He has led several randomized, controlled trials that used wearable devices, smartphone applications, and workplace weight scales to track health behaviors. His work also evaluates how information technology-based interventions can be designed to use concepts from behavioral economics to change physician behaviors to reduce low-value services and increase the delivery of high-value care.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
University of Michigan
Richard Phillips, MD, PhD
Presidential Assistant Professor of Neurology
richard.phillips@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
RESEARCH
Dr. Phillips' research combines chromatin biology, neuroscience and cancer biology to understand how epigenetic mechanisms drive the development of brain cancer. Drawing from his focused investigations into epigenetic regulation, in addition to more unbiased approaches, his goal is to identify novel therapies for patients with brain cancer.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Natalí Chanaday Ricagni, PhD
Presidential Assistant Professor of Physiology
Natali.Chanaday@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-898-8725
RESEARCH
Dr. Chanaday uses molecular and pharmacological tools combined with live fluorescence imaging (microscopy) and electrophysiology of cultured neurons to investigate how neurotransmitter release is modulated and how synaptic vesicles are recycled. She is particularly interested in trafficking mechanisms of synaptic vesicle molecules and atypical calcium sources that have the potential to set basal neuron properties and shape the type of information neurons can transfer, as well as investigating novel forms of neuronal communication.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Christina Roberto, PhD
Mitchell J. Blutt & Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Associate Professor of Psychiatry
croberto@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-7064
RESEARCH
Dr. Roberto's research aims to identify and understand factors that promote unhealthy eating behaviors linked to obesity and eating disorders and design interventions to promote healthy eating. In her work, she draws upon the fields of psychology, marketing, behavioral economics, epidemiology, and public health to answer research questions that can provide policymakers and institutions with science-based guidance.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Harvard School of Public Health
Cornelius Y. Taabazuing, PhD
Voorhees Presidential Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics
cornelius.taabazuing@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
617-755-4838
RESEARCH
Dr. Taabazuing's research combines biochemistry and cell biology approaches to study the molecular regulation of cell death. Specifically, he is interested in pyroptotic and apoptotic cell death. His goal is to understand how cell death impacts the immune system and to leverage that to develop therapeutics for human diseases.
PREVIOUS INSTITUTION
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center