NYCOM Faculty: Current Research Projects and Interests

Kurt Amsler, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:        NYCOM I Room 314 F
Phone Number:    (516) 686-3716
Email Address:    kamsler@nyit.edu
Our lab focuses on the control of renal development and disease, in particular, polycystic kidney disease. We are examining the roles of specific receptors, the erbB receptor tyrosine kinase family, and downstream signaling molecules, the src family tyrosine kinases, in these developmental and pathological processes.

Brian Beatty, Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:                 NYCOM II Room 367
Phone Number        (516)686-7435
Email Address:        bbeatty@nyit.edu
My research interests focus on the evolution of aquatic amniotes, especially otters, Sirenia, Desmostylia and Odontoceti, and how their anatomy and physiology accommodate feeding on aquatic foods. A major focus is on dental microwear, occlusal geometry, oral histology, the material properties of food items, as well as dental pathologies and variation. View the research HERE.

Jack Conrad, Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:                   NYCOM II Room 321                  
Phone Number:         (516) 686-3909
Email Address:          jconra01@nyit.edu
I am a paleontologist and herpetologist most interested in the anatomy and evolutionary history of Squamata (lizards and snakes). With nearly 9000 living species and a fossil record spanning more than 200 million years, squamates are an important group for study and offer a unique opportunity for asking questions about anatomy, ecology, biogeography, and micro- and macro-evolutionary processes. My current research includes descriptions of fossil squamates from Africa, East Asia, Europe, and North America, as well as evolutionary studies about the squamate tree as a whole.  As part of this research, I am investigating new areas of squamate morphology. This Spring and Summer, I will continue my work documenting variation within snakes species locally and abroad (Guatemala and Kenya).

Eduard Dedkov, M.D., Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                   NYCOM I Room 215E
Phone Number:         (516) 686-3814
Email Address:          ededkov@nyit.edu
The overall goal of my current research is to understand the mechanisms involved in growth and adaptation of cardiac coronary vessels in health and disease.  One area of my investigation concerns angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in developing hearts.  A second area of investigation concerns the coronary vessel growth and remodeling in adult hearts subjected to experimental myocardial infarction.

Donna Dixon, Ph.D (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                     NYCOM I Room 207
Phone Number:           (516) 686-3769
Email Address:            ddixon@nyit.edu
My current research is investigating the predictive value of premedical academic
performance and other premedical student variables in order to develop a predictive formula to aid in evaluating candidates for admission to NYCOM.  I am also working on another project to determine the relationship of all medical school academic measures to COMLEX board scores in individual classes.

Linda Friedman, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Location:                        NYCOM II Room 022
Phone Number:              (516) 686-3829
Email Address:               lfriedma@nyit.edu  
My research objective is to understand mechanisms that are responsible for the susceptibility of specific neuronal populations to excitotoxic damage as a function of age and seizure history. Anatomical, molecular, cellular, electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques are used to study hippocampal and cortical neurons in intact tissue and in cell culture. A particular interest are glutamate receptors that play a pivotal role in epileptic phenomena and other neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.

Bennett Futterman, M.D. (Anatomy/Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                       NYCOM I Room 211
Phone Number:             (516) 686-3867
Email Address:              bfutterm@nyit.edu
My current research involves determining the detailed motion of the radial head (elbow motion) with an emphasis on a correlation with osteopathic manipulation principles. This involves cadaveric elbow dissection and radial head measurements at varying degrees of rotation. This will be followed by CT generated "wire frame" 3-D models of the proximal radius with analyses of function based upon anatomic form. Clinical correlation with radial head prosthetic design.

Jonathan Geisler, Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:        NYCOM II Room 367
Phone Number:    (516) 686-7552
Email Address:    jgeisler@nyit.edu
My research focuses on the evolutionary relationships of mammals, with particular emphasis on the unique perspectives obtained when data from living and fossil species are integrated. One aspect of my mammal research is an ongoing field project in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, with Associate Professor of Anatomy Matthew Mihlbachler. There we are investigating how past climate changes (55 to 35 million years ago) affected the community of mammal species. Most of my research on mammals is concentrated on the evolution of Cetacea, the group that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. A website for a project on cetacean evolution that is funded by the National Science Foundation can be viewed HERE.

Norman Gevitz, Ph.D (Department of Family Medicine)
Location: NYCOM III Room 119
Phone Number: (516) 686-1334
Email Address:  ngevitz@nyit.edu
I am a medical historian and sociologist whose current research covers two broad areas. The first research area is osteopathic medicine. I am presently at work on two projects: the first examining the development of new and emerging osteopathic medical schools and the second on a history of the DO designation, all of which will contribute to my writing of a third edition of my book on the past, present, and future of the osteopathic profession. My second research area is 17th and 18th century medicine where I am currently at work on two articles which will be ultimately be part of my forthcoming contracted book on health and healing in early New England.

Wolfgang Gilliar, D.O. (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine)
Location:                         NYCOM III Room 127
Phone Number:               (516) 686-3824
Email Address:                wgilliar@nyit.edu
My research examines the efficacy and mechanism of action of Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques (OMT) in treatment of multiple pathologic states including Parkinson’s disease, pulmonary function, and pain perception. I am also interested in examining new ways of teaching OMT to medical students and in health policy issues related to OMT.

Leonard Goldstein, D.D.S., Ph.D (Clinical Education)
Location:            NYCOM III, Room 236A
Phone Number:        (516) 686-1408
Email Address:        goldst@nyit.edu
Development and assessment of tools for medical educational are critical needs to determine the most effective educational approaches. This project will develop educational tools for further the education of osteopathic medical students throughout their medical education.

Edward Gotfried, D.O. (Global Health and Surgery)
Location:                           NYCOM III Room 129
Phone Number:                 (516) 686-1456
Email Address:                  egotfrie@nyit.edu
We are developing a Problem-Based Learning and Virtual Medicine Curriculum in collaboration with Jordan University of Science and Technology in order to transfer this learning modality to Jordan University.

Robert V. Hill,  Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:                            NYCOM II Room 368
Phone Number:                  (516) 686-3807
Email Address:                   rhill01@nyit.edu
My main research focus is the comparative morphology and histology of the
integument (skin and associated structures) in living and fossil vertebrates.  I am also interested in the comparative anatomy and evolution of extinct crocodiles and
dinosaurs, as well as the progression of osteoarthritis, the histology of muscles and arteries, and new methods in anatomy

Patricia Kooyman, D.O. (Osteopathic Medicne)
Location:                      NYCOM III Room 134
Phone Number:            (516) 686-1309
Email Address:             pkooyman@nyit.edu
My current clinical research interest focuses on the question of the combined enhanced efficacy of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) treatment with phototherapy in the context of chronic lower back pain of greater than three months duration. The New York Institute of Technology’s (NYIT’s) School of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy (Fulop, D.P.T., Andras M., et. al.)  has performed two meta-analyses regarding the efficacy of phototherapy, one with regard to tissue repair and one with regard to pain relief. Yet, this modality of physical therapy has little clinical research looking at the efficacy of phototherapy in combination with the hands-on treatment of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). This research project is an inter-departmental research project, with Dr. Patricia Kooyman of the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Department of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) of NYIT and Dr. Peter Douris of the Physical Therapy Department of the School of Health Professions of NYIT.

Chellappa Kumar, Ph.D. (CIO Office/Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                  NYCOM I Room 301
Phone Number:        (516) 686-3732
Email Address:         ckumar@nyit.edu
The health of many immigrant communities is strongly impacted by their inability to understand medical information being conveyed to them by doctors. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of developing bilingual web-based modules containing relevant health information for specific diseases, e.g., diabetes. The initial portion of the study will develop English/Spanish bilingual modules. Further modules can be developed in a variety of languages, e.g., Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, etc. 

Isaac Kurtzer, Ph.D. (Neuroscience and Histology)
Location:                 NYCOM II Room 19A
Phone Number:       (516) 686-3913
Email Address:         ikurtzer@nyit.edu
The morning routine of rising out of bed, brushing our teeth, and reaching into the refrigerator exemplifies that a large part of daily living hinges on coordinated actions of the upper limb.  My contribution to this important topic explores how our nervous system accounts for the biomechanical complexities in controlling the multiple joints and muscles of the arm, how actions are sculpted by task goals and prior experience, and how primary motor cortex supports these capabilities.  My recent work has determined that stretch reflexes to a sudden perturbation of the arm, like catching a ball, integrate information across multiple joints and provide fast and cohesive reactions nearly comparable to prepared voluntary actions.  Future studies will examine how stretch reflexes and voluntary control of the arm are altered in Parkinson’s disease.

Deborah Lardner, D.O. (Emergency Medicine and Global Health)
Location:                      NYCOM III Room 107
Phone Number:            (516) 686-3989
Email Address:             dlardner@nyit.edu
Global Health policy and practice; Healthcare in Ghana project

Joerg Leheste, Ph.D (Neuroscience)
Location:                         NYCOM II Room 024
Phone Number:               (516) 686-3764
Email Address:                jleheste@nyit.edu
Research in my lab is focused on the intricate molecular mechanisms maintaining neuronal health over the course of a lifetime. Current investigations are conducted in human cells (in vitro) as well as in vertebrate animal models (in vivo), including zebrafish (D. rerio), mice, and rats. Collaborative efforts are aimed to take our benchtop findings into the clinic to develop powerful treatment options for age-related neurodegeneration, such as Parkinson ’s disease (PD).

Matthew Mihlbachler, Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:                           NYCOM II Room 321
Phone Number:                (516) 686-3808
Email Address:                 mmihlbac@nyit.edu           
My research is centered on mammalian morphology, evolution, diversity, paleoecology, and extinction and the role that climate change has played in these processes over the past 65 million years.  We currently are reconstructing the  phylogeny (evolutionary trees) of fossil ungulates based on anatomical data, as well as paleodietary reconstruction based on examination of dental microwear and other types of ecomorphological analysis. View the research HERE.

Charles Pavia, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                           NYCOM I Room 315B
Phone Number:                (516) 686-3778
Email Address:                 cpavia@nyit.edu
One research focus is the efficacy of antibiotics for treatment of Lyme’s disease in aging animals.  A second focus is the ability of E. coli and other enteric pathogens to colonize spinach and other vegetables, and procedures to purify these food products from such pathogens.

Maria Plummer, M.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:                          NYCOM I Room 304
Phone Number:               (516) 686-1327
Email Address:                 mplummer@nyit.edu
I have been doing research involving fibrosis in diverticulosis and occurrences of seborrheic keratosis in the elderly.

Ely Rabin, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Location:                        NYCOM II Room 028
Phone Number:             (516) 686-3941
Email Address:               erabin@nyit.edu
I study how sensory feedback from touch and proprioception is integrated to guide posture and gait.  I am also developing tools to optimize posture and gait control in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Raddy Ramos, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Location:                        NYCOM II Room 019B
Phone Number:              (516) 686-1318
Email Address:               rramos02@nyit.edu
The research project examines the basis for molecular layer heterotypia (MLH), a condition that has been observed in the brains of dyslexics. MLH are small malformations of the brain that contain both neurons and glia and are localized to specific brain areas. MLH have been observed in mouse brains. The proposed studies will use mouse model systems to study the mechanisms by which these areas form, why they exhibit a discrete brain localization, and how ubiquitous these MLH are among inbred mouse strains.

Nikos Solounias, Ph.D. (Anatomy)
Location:                       NYCOM II Room 367
Phone Number:            (516) 686-3766
Email Address:             nsolouni@nyit.edu
I am studying the evolution of diet for the forest and savanna mammalian herbivore species and the impact on tooth morphology – Tooth microwear and mesowear in extinct and living herbivores.  My second research interest is the evolution of the giraffe and horse heads from their fossil ancestors.
 
David Tegay, D.O. (Medicine)
Location:                      NYCOM II Room 030
Phone Number:            (516) 686-3897
Email Address:             dtegay@nyit.edu
The Tegay lab is focused on identifying the effects of rare mutations and common genetic variations on a number of common and rare heritable disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), Autism and Toriello-Carey syndrome (TCS).

Michael Terzella, D.O. (Osteopathic Medicne)
Location:                      NYCOM III Room 136
Phone Number:            (516) 686-1307
Email Address:             mterzell@nyit.edu
We are investigating whether or not osteopathic treatments will affect blood pressure.  Preliminary data of a small sample size of normal subjects has shown no significant difference in blood pressure measurements between sham and treatment groups.  This result was expected.  We are now recruiting for both hypertensive and normal subjects.  I am also interested in exploring osteopathic manipulative treatment and its effect on asthma and mastalgia as well as investigating inter-examiner reliability with regard to diagnosing somatic dysfunction. 

German Torres, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Location:                    NYCOM II Room 031
Phone Number:          (516) 686-3806
Email Address:           torresg@nyit.edu  
My specific research interests are centered on the biological basis of mental disorders. Research efforts have largely been directed toward the study of schizophrenia and endogenous depression using multidisciplinary approaches. Another focus of current research is related to understanding how certain brain proteins are modified by anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drug treatment. Finally, I am also studying the functional role of heat shock proteins in the neurovasculature network, particularly during episodes of cerebral ischemia.

Sheldon Yao, D.O. (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine)
Location:                 NYCOM III Room 136
Phone Number:       (516) 686-3754
Email Address:        syao@nyit.edu
Recent studies have demonstrated that osteopathic manipulative techniques (OMT) can alter chest excursion size and peak expiratory flow rates in adult and pediatric asthma patients, respectively. It is currently unclear, however, if these changes translate into improvement of pulmonary function. Recent work by us demonstrated that OMT did not affect pulmonary function of normal patients. We hypothesize that OMT improves pulmonary function specifically in patients in which this function is compromised. This project will test this hypothesis by completing our analysis of the effect of OMT on normal patients and then comparing these results to those obtained by performing OMT on patients with asthma and COPD.

Steve Youmans, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Location:               NYCOM II Room 215B
Phone Number:     (516) 686-3796
Email Address:      syoumans@nyit.edu
My research is focused on diseases of the kidneys and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and cell biology. Currently we are investigating the mechanism behind a clinically important, but poorly-understood, syndrome in which patients lose abnormal amounts of salt in the urine. Separately, we are evaluating the possibility that a cause of, or contributor to, progressive renal failure may be abnormally elevated levels of an enzyme found in blood.