Marina Holz, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy
Shahrzad Soleymani Fard, Ph.D. Shahrzad obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Her past work has been firmly rooted in the field of molecular oncology and cancer genetics. During her graduate work, she Investigated signaling pathways implicated in gastric carcinogenesis, and gastric cancer progression. Her study revealed the higher expression levels of the androgen receptor in gastric cancer tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, and normal gastric specimens which was strongly correlated with unfavorable outcomes in gastric cancer patients. Her study also uncovered a complex interplay where AR interacts with cell cycle, apoptosis, and EMT-related pathways, ultimately promoting the progression and metastasis of gastric cancer. Beyond gastric cancer, her academic journey has led her to explore the realm of pediatric leukemia. During her postgraduate studies, she conducted extensive research into the effects of various anticancer agents on the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Shahrzad joined the Holz lab in New York Medical College to study mTOR signaling in breast cancer and LAM. In her free time, Shahrzad enjoys traveling, painting, listening to music, and watching movies.
Nandini Kundu, Ph.D., obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from Hunter College, City University of New York, where she studied mammary architecture and Mdm2 oncogenic pathway in breast cancer. She then joined Dr. Ratan’s group at Burke Neurological Institute of Weil Cornell Medicine to study the neurobiology of ischemic stroke and molecular mechanisms of Edaravone, an FDA-approved drug for ALS. She received her BSc with Honors from Presidency College, India. She joined Dr. Holz’s lab at New York Medical College to study crosstalk between mTOR and estrogen signaling in human cancers. Nandini likes to go out hiking and do photography, listen to music, and enjoy dancing.
Christina Faltas graduated from New Jersey City University with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She is currently in her second year of the Integrated Ph.D. Program (IPP) at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBMS). Christina loves to kickbox and play guitar in her free time and has an undeniable love for all things coffee.
Alek S. Torres graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a B.S. in biology with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology. He then earned his M.S. in Biochemistry from New York Medical College where he is now pursuing Ph.D. in Biochemistry. He is currently conducting research in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy with Dr. Marina Holz to elucidate the molecular pathways that govern the relationship between the extracellular signals and cell function, and of course where they can go wrong. In his free time, Alek enjoys staying fit, tapping into his creative side, traveling, cooking, and eating.