About Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dr. Avi Ma'ayan stands as a distinguished leader in bioinformatics, serving as Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Director of the Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics. As Principal Investigator of significant research initiatives funded by the National Institutes of Health, including the Data Coordination and Integration Center and the Mount Sinai Knowledge Management Center for Illuminating the Druggable Genome, he drives innovative research in computational biology. His expertise centers on applying sophisticated graph theory algorithms, machine learning techniques, dynamical modeling, and visualization methods to integrate complex omics datasets from mammalian sources. This comprehensive approach enables deeper understanding of biological regulation at a global scale. At the Ma'ayan Laboratory, his team develops cutting-edge bioinformatics tools and methodologies that help experimental biologists generate novel hypotheses from complex datasets. His work continues to bridge the gap between computational analysis and biological understanding, making significant contributions to our knowledge of cellular processes and regulatory networks in mammalian systems.

Dr. Bruce Darrow serves as the Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Associate Professor of Cardiology and Population Health Science and Policy at the Mount Sinai Health System. A Yale University graduate who earned both his MD and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Darrow exemplifies the intersection of medical expertise and technological innovation in healthcare. His career at Mount Sinai showcases exceptional achievements in both clinical practice and digital healthcare advancement. As an educator, he earned prestigious recognitions including the Solomon Berson Teaching Award and the Attending Physician of the Year Award from the Department of Nursing. His role as Chief Medical Information Officer has been marked by significant technological achievements, including Mount Sinai receiving the Davies Enterprise Award for excellence in health information technology. Board-certified in Cardiovascular Disease, General Internal Medicine, and Clinical Informatics, Dr. Darrow maintains an active cardiology practice while leading digital transformation initiatives. His clinical expertise spans a broad spectrum of cardiac conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and rhythm abnormalities, while simultaneously advancing the integration of technology in healthcare delivery. His leadership continues to shape both patient care standards and the future of digital healthcare innovation at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Eric M. Genden serves as a distinguished leader in head and neck surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he holds the position of Isidore Friesner Professor and Chairman of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His academic journey began at Columbia University, followed by medical training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a Masters in Healthcare Management from Harvard University. As Executive Vice President of Ambulatory Surgery and Director of the Head and Neck Institute, Dr. Genden has achieved international recognition for his groundbreaking work in oropharyngeal cancers and microvascular reconstruction. His pioneering achievements include performing the first jaw transplant using patient-derived tissues. Beyond his clinical excellence, he maintains an active research program studying transplantation immune biology and leads numerous clinical trials. His contributions to medical literature include six textbooks and over two hundred peer-reviewed articles, establishing him as a thought leader in his field. Dr. Genden's expertise spans complex procedures in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, head and neck cancer treatment, and airway reconstruction, while his leadership continues to advance surgical innovation and patient care standards at Mount Sinai Health System.

Dr. Eric Sobie combines experimental research with mathematical modeling to enhance our understanding of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, he leads innovative research that bridges the gap between computational and experimental approaches in cardiac science. His role as co-director of the PhD program in Systems Biology of Disease and Therapeutics has been instrumental in reshaping graduate education, particularly in integrating quantitative training into biomedical sciences curriculum. As a member of Systems Biology Center New York, Dr. Sobie's work exemplifies the modern intersection of mathematics and biology, using sophisticated modeling techniques to unravel complex cardiac mechanisms. His approach to cardiac research demonstrates the power of combining theoretical frameworks with experimental validation to advance our understanding of heart function and disease.

Dr. Joshua Safer serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, bringing extensive expertise in endocrinology and transgender healthcare. After completing his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin and training at prestigious institutions including Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, he has become a leading figure in transgender medicine. His leadership extends beyond Mount Sinai as president of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health and co-chair of TransNet, an international transgender research consortium. Dr. Safer played a crucial role in developing the Endocrine Society guidelines for transgender patient care and continues to shape the field through his involvement with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. His research focuses on demonstrating the positive impact of accessible transgender healthcare on patient outcomes and quality of life. Under his direction, the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery provides comprehensive care including primary care, hormone therapy, behavioral health support, and gender-affirming surgeries, while also training future healthcare providers through pioneering fellowship programs

Dr. Marc Birtwistle brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to cancer research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics. His distinctive background combines formal training in chemical engineering with extensive expertise in experimental cell and molecular biology, creating a powerful synthesis of quantitative and biological approaches. As a member of the Systems Biology Center New York, Dr. Birtwistle applies sophisticated mathematical modeling techniques to physiochemical processes, particularly in cancer research. His work exemplifies the modern intersection of engineering principles with biological systems, using advanced quantitative methods to understand complex cellular mechanisms. This innovative approach allows him to tackle cancer research challenges from multiple angles, merging rigorous mathematical analysis with experimental biological investigations to develop new insights into disease processes and potential treatments.

Dr. Mark S. Courey serves as Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Division Chief of Laryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he directs the prestigious Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center. His distinguished career began with medical training at SUNY Buffalo, followed by residencies at Beth Israel and specialized fellowship training at Vanderbilt University. As a leading authority in voice and airway disorders, Dr. Courey has pioneered multidisciplinary approaches to patient care, working closely with speech-language pathologists, vocal trainers, and various medical specialists. His expertise spans complex areas including paralyzed larynx rehabilitation, laryngeal cancer management, and voice disorders in professional performers. Before joining Mount Sinai, he held significant leadership positions at the University of California, San Francisco, and Vanderbilt Voice Center. His research contributions include groundbreaking work on neural activity in spasmodic dysphonia patients, supported by federal funding. As Vice Chair of Quality for the Department of Otolaryngology, he continues to advance patient care standards while maintaining an active clinical practice focused on voice, airway, and swallowing disorders.

Dr. Martine Sanon serves as an Associate Professor in the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she leads crucial initiatives in geriatric medicine. As Medical Director of Inpatient Geriatric Medicine Clinical Services and Geriatrics Lead Consultant to the Department of Emergency Medicine, she specializes in improving care transitions for older adults. Her expertise focuses particularly on managing patient transitions between emergency departments, hospital admissions, and community care. A respected clinician educator, Dr. Sanon dedicates herself to training physicians and interprofessional teams in specialized elder care practices. Her leadership extends beyond Mount Sinai as a past president and current board member of the Metropolitan Area Geriatrics Society, Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society, and recipient of the AGS/ADGAP Emerging Leaders in Aging Tideswell Scholar recognition. Her work continues to shape the future of geriatric medicine through innovative approaches to patient care and medical education.

Dr. Maura Cosetti serves as the Director of the Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai and leads the Cochlear Implant Program for the Mount Sinai Health System. Her distinguished expertise is reflected in dual board certifications in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Otology-Neurotology, complemented by specialized fellowship training in Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery from New York University. As a prominent figure in hearing healthcare, Dr. Cosetti oversees one of the nation's premier multi-disciplinary centers for hearing and balance disorders. Her clinical practice encompasses the full spectrum of pediatric and adult hearing conditions, with particular emphasis on complex cases including cochlear implantation, skull base surgery, and vestibular disorders. Beyond her clinical work, she chairs the William House Cochlear Implant Study Group and leads the Otology Neurotology Education Committee for the American Academy of Head and Neck Surgery, directing educational content for thousands of otolaryngology providers nationwide. Her academic contributions include authoring numerous articles and textbook chapters, while her leadership of the Otology-Neurotology Fellowship Program continues to shape the next generation of specialists.

Dr. Nicholas Genes serves as Associate Professor in both Emergency Medicine and Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, bringing a unique combination of clinical expertise and technological innovation to healthcare. After graduating from Brown University and earning his MD/PhD from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, he completed his emergency medicine residency and informatics fellowship at Mount Sinai. His groundbreaking work spans multiple areas of healthcare technology, including the development of clinical decision support tools and innovative applications of health information exchange systems. Dr. Genes has pioneered the use of social media in medical practice and research, particularly in biosurveillance and toxicovigilance. His research focuses on improving emergency department operations through technology, implementing EHR innovations for at-risk elderly patients, and developing decision support systems for pain management. As a leading voice in healthcare informatics, he has contributed significantly to understanding emergency department throughput and crowding issues through multi-site studies. His work on hospital committees continues to shape the evaluation and implementation of health IT innovations and distance learning technologies, benefiting patients, providers, and medical students alike.

Dr. Ravi Iyengar serves as the Dorothy H. and Lewis Rosenstiel Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As Director of the Systems Biology Center New York, he leads groundbreaking research in cellular signaling networks and systems biology. His expertise spans across complex cellular processes, with a particular focus on understanding how cells process information through intricate signaling networks. Under his leadership, the Systems Biology Center has become a hub for transdisciplinary research, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle complex biological questions. Dr. Iyengar's work has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of cell signaling pathways and their role in disease mechanisms. His research combines sophisticated computational approaches with experimental biology to unravel the complexities of cellular systems. As Principal Investigator of multiple major research initiatives, he continues to push the boundaries of systems biology while mentoring the next generation of scientists in this rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Satish Govindaraj serves as Associate Professor, Chief of the Division of Rhinology, and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Otolaryngology at Mount Sinai, where he brings extensive expertise in sinus and skull base surgery. Following his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Medical University and residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center, he completed specialized fellowship training in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic contributions include numerous publications in major medical journals, book chapters on sinus and skull base surgery, and co-editorship of the textbook "Anesthesia and Otolaryngology." As a member of prestigious professional societies including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Rhinologic Society, and the North American Skull Base Society, Dr. Govindaraj maintains active affiliations across multiple Mount Sinai facilities, ensuring widespread access to his expertise throughout the health system. His leadership in minimally invasive surgical techniques and commitment to advancing patient care has established him as a leading figure in rhinology and skull base surgery.

Dr. Sharon See serves as a Clinical Professor at both St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she brings extensive expertise in geriatric pharmacotherapy. After earning her BS and Pharm.D. from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy and completing her specialty residency at Deaconess Hospital, she has established herself as a leader in geriatric care, particularly through her role as clinical pharmacotherapy specialist for the Mobile Acute Care for the Elderly service at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her board certifications in pharmacotherapy and geriatrics, along with her fellowship in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, underscore her clinical excellence. As a member of the ACCP Board of Regents and former member of the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Pharmacotherapy Specialty Council, Dr. See continues to shape her field while pursuing research interests in evidence-based medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, and inpatient glycemic control, contributing regularly to peer-reviewed pharmacotherapy journals.

Dr. Susana Neves serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she conducts groundbreaking research on neural signaling mechanisms. Her work at the Systems Biology Center New York focuses on understanding the complex relationship between phosphodiesterases and synaptic responsiveness in the nervous system. Dr. Neves leads innovative investigations into four key areas: the physiological impact of PDE regulation on receptor trafficking, PDE's role in altering synaptic responsiveness, the complex interactions of multiple PDE activities affecting receptor movement and membrane excitability, and the spatial aspects of PDE-regulated receptor trafficking at synapses. Her research combines sophisticated molecular techniques with systems biology approaches to unravel the intricate mechanisms of neural communication, contributing significantly to our understanding of synaptic function and regulation.