Dr. Lorraine Gudas
Dr. Gudas is Chairman and Revlon Pharmaceutical Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Pharmacology Department. She is a member of the American society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the major organization of scientists doing research in pharmacology. She recently finished a term as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Cancer Research, the largest organization of cancer researchers in the United States. Dr. Gudas also recently finished a term as chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. She is a member of the external advisory boards of three Cancer Centers: The Vermont Cancer Center, The Lineberger Cancer Center of U.N.C. Chapel Hill, and the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. Of note, in 1999, she received the 2nd Annual "Woman in Cancer Research" award from the American Association of Cancer Research. She is on the Editorial Boards of a number of journals, including Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular Cancer Research and the Journal of Biomedical Chemistry. She has had a long-standing research interest in vitamin A and its derivatives and metabolites, a group of compounds called retinoids. She and her laboratory members have studied the pharmacology and molecular actions of retinoids with respect to cancer treatment and cancer prevention for approximately twenty years, during which time her research has been continuously supported by NIH and other agencies.  Dr. Gudas is also focused on the molecular mechanisms by which embryonic stem cells differentiate and on limb regeneration in mice.
"I've been chairman of the Pharmacology Department at Weill Cornell for about 19 years. It's a wonderful job in a terrific department with smart, collegial, and interactive faculty, motivated students, and great postdoctoral fellows and technicians. My partner, John, and I have a son who is working at Morgan Stanley in New York City. When we're not working check out what our lab does for fun!!"

http://www.cornellpharmacology.org/Lorraine_Gudas_Cancer_Research/Welcome.html

http://www.cornellpharmacology.org/Lorraine_Gudas_Laboratory/Welcome.html

Dr. Yannick Benoit - Postdoctoral Fellow

I am from Shawinigan, a small and quiet town in Quebec (Canada). I graduated from the Biochemistry Program at the Université de Sherbrooke in 2003. Since then, I also received a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the same university. Besides my passions for playing rock alternative music and soccer, I am fascinated by adult and embryonic stem cell biology as well as the involvement of Polycomb groups in the developmental gene regulation. I have joined Dr. Gudas team in August, 2010, and I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to investigate many thrilling new aspects of cell biology. Let’s state also that I am one of those crazy fans of the Montreal Canadian hockey club!!"

Thomas Bruno- Research Technician I

I graduated from Gettysburg College in May 2010, where I majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I started working in the Gudas lab in October 2010.

Dr. Leiping Fu - Postdoctoral Fellow

I received my Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. I joined the laboratory of Dr. Lorraine Gudas in August 2007. My projects are: 1) To characterize the role of HIF1a and HIF2a in kidney cancer, using stabilized mutant HIF1a and/or HIF2a. 2) To study the role of fibroblasts in tissue regeneration in mice.

Dr. Frances M. Gratacos- Postdoctoral Associate

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, also known as "The Island of Enchantment". I obtained a B.S. degree in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez in 2003. I recently obtained a PhD from UMDNJ in the Department of Molecular Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology. My doctoral research focused on the description of a multiprotein complex responsible for the degradation of unstable cytokine mRNAs. I joined the lab of Dr. Gudas in December 2010 and I am interested in understanding how are embryonic stem cells re-programmed in response to retinoids. Being the youngest of four girls, I am all about family and friends. I enjoy organizing gatherings with friends, traveling, card making and folkloric dances from Puerto Rico.

Abby Horstmann- PhD Student

Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, I attended Pennsylvania State University (WE ARE!!!!!!!) where I received my B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2010. I then returned back to my home state for graduate school here at Weill Cornell, and became a member of the Gudas Laboratory in the fall of 2011. I am excited to be here earning my Ph.D. in Pharmacology, while also learning my way around the city and searching for the best falafel NYC has to offer. When I'm not labbing it up, I enjoy family vacations, yoga, reading (novels, not scientific journals!), rooting for the Nittany Lions and using Groupon deals with friends.

Dr. Eric Kauffman - Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow

I was a clinical fellow in the Weill Cornell Urology Department.  I am working on finishing a manuscript on a research project with Drs. Mongan and Gudas.

Dr. Kristian Laursen - Postdoctoral Fellow

In 2002 I was awarded a Masters in Biology from the University of Aarhus, Denmark. Yet, with my interests being focused more on the developmental aspects of biology, I started doing molecular biology and in 2005 I obtained a PhD in transcriptional regulation. In December 2007 I joined Dr. Gudas’ group, where I am now working on elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which the different Retinoic Acid Receptors integrate environmental signal into a transcriptional response. The project is expected not only to increase our knowledge on developmental processes of the embryo, but also to identify protein domains which may serve as specific targets for anti-tumorigenic agents.

Kasia Marcinkiewicz - Ph.D. Student

I was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland. I received an M.S. degree from the Department of Pharmacy, Medical University in Warsaw, Poland in fall, 2003. I have work experience as an interpreter, a guide and as a pharmacist, but my true vocation is the lab work. I have been a graduate student in Dr. Gudas' lab since November 2007. I am studying the genes which in murine ES cells and in the oral cavity are regulated by the retinoid acid receptor beta. In my free time, I study early childhood development.

Denise Minton- PhD Student
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and received a B.A. in biology-chemistry from Scripps College, the women’s college of the Claremont Consortium. After a year of traveling in South East Asia and South America, I started the Ph.D program in pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medical College in the fall of 2010. I was excited to join the Gudas Lab in the fall of 2011 and look forward to doing my thesis research in cancer pharmacology. In my free time I enjoy running, snowboarding, cooking, and traveling.

Dr. Kwame Osei-Sarfo- Postdoctoral Fellow

I received my Ph.D. from New York University’s Molecular Oncology and Immunology program where I studied the role of Ras GTPases in the induction of T-cell malignancies. In September 2010, I joined Dr. Gudas’ group and I am very interested in observing the potential therapeutic roles of Retinoic Acid in head and neck cancers as well as in embryonic stem cell differentiation. When I am not reading or thinking about science, you can find me searching for new eateries (the spicier the food the better) in NYC, singing a few bad notes at a karaoke bar, or relaxing with family and friends.

Dr. Ronald Perez-Postdoctoral Associate

Originally from Lima, Peru, but migrated to Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the age of 12, therefore I consider myself a RED SOX, CELTICS and PATRIOTS fan. After high school, I attended Syracuse University to pursue a degree in Biochemistry. I then worked as technician at the Brigham & Women’s hospital in Boston and a couple of years later attended Northeastern University to pursue a Masters degree in Bioinformatics. I joined the lab of Dr. Gudas in June 2009 after receiving my Ph.D. from Rutgers University in Pharmacology. The lab was very appealing to me because of a mutual interest in the fields of stem cells and tissue engineering. My research focus is to understand and manipulate differentiation of embryonic stem cells. In my spare time I like to do many things, among them building desktops, playing basketball, bike riding, skiing, swimming at the ocean and dancing to latin music.

Naira Rezende - Ph.D. Student

I was born and raised in a lovely town in one of the most beautiful tropical countries in the world, namely Brazil. Somehow, great weather and Carnaval were not enough for me, and my vocation as a scientist got me to New York in the year 2000. I am mostly interested in stem cell biology, and I would particularly like to understand what defines the identity of an embryonic stem cell from an epigenetic point of view. When I am not in lab, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. I cook often, and I am always entertaining at my home.

Megan Ricard - Ph.D. Student

I grew up in Connecticut and received my BS in Chemistry from Fairfield University (Go Stags!). I joined the Gudas lab in January 2007 and I haven't looked back since. Our lab focuses on the pharmacology of retinoids, drugs used in cancer therapy and in dermatology.  In my spare time I enjoy working on fellowships and thinking about CYP26A1.

I am working on numerous projects in the Gudas lab.  I like wearing unusual T-shirts while working in the lab.

Sebastian Shaffer - Ph.D. Student

I am a graduate student in the Neuroscience Program here at Weill Cornell Medical College , and I joined the Gudas Lab in March 2007. I have always been interested in the major central nervous system (CNS) diseases like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, and my current research targets the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a prevalent developmental disorder that affects approximately 60 out of 10,000 children. ASD causes impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors, and current research suggests that developmental defects of the CNS lead to ASD.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to study the mechanisms of ASD in the Gudas Lab. I hope my research will significantly improve our understanding of ASD and make progress towards improving the quality of life of those with autism.

Dr. Xiao-Han Tang - Instructor
I obtained my Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have been working with Dr. Gudas since 2001. My work is on the role of RA in the prevention of carcinogenesis of the esophagus and oral cavity.

Dr. Steven Trasino- Postdoctoral Fellow

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I obtained my MSc in nutrition from Columbia University and my PhD in nutrition science from the University of Maryland. Since graduate school I have had a strong interest in the biology of retinoids and their role as differentiating agents. I joined the Gudas laboratory in October of 2011 to examine the epigenetic mechanisms driving retinoid mediated embryonic stem cell differentiation to insulin producing pancreatic βcells. This project is in line with my knowledge of nutritional and metabolic disorders and could lead to in vitro protocols for generation of renewable sources of βcells for treatment of type 1 diabetes. Outside of the lab I have many interests, including cinema, music, and traveling. I am excited to be back in NYC, and to be part of the Gudas lab.

Dr. Alison Urvalek-Postdoctoral Fellow

I'm originally from a town just north of Albany, and received a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Albany Medical College in 2010. During my time as a graduate student I was interested transcriptional regulation of the cell cycle and cancer progression. As an undergraduate, I attended Villanova University and received a B.S. in Biology in 2005. Besides being a Villanova Wildcat basketball fan, in my spare time I enjoy watching the Yankees, cooking, baking, and spending time with my friends and family. I joined the lab of Dr. Gudas in November, 2010 and look forward to the exciting research that I will be performing here.