Englander Institute for Precision Medicine 

The Englander Institute for Precision Medicine (EIPM) is a translational research hub where we use precision medicine tools, such as genetics, genomic sequencing, and clinical data to improve patients’ healthcare. Precision medicine can be used as a modern tool to inform physicians of both the treatment and the prevention of genetic-related diseases. This information derives from both the individual genomic sequencing of the patient’s DNA and from the tumor’s cells sequencing. The insights we get can lead to specific genetic alterations that recur from patient to patient and that may be targetable with existing or new drugs. In growing number of cases, we can prognosticate how a patient might respond to a particular drug or drugs combination.

The Institute’s three main resources that enable the EIPM team to most efficiently match new, biologically-targeted therapies to patients who need it are next-generation genomics, biobanking, and computational biology. Our physician-scientists use the most advanced gene-sequencing technologies in our state-of-the-art laboratories to identify the genetic alterations that give rise to and drive each patient’s illness. As an Institute we have already sequenced the genomes of more than 2000 patients and we’re building a comprehensive biobank of tissue samples.

From basic science to drug discoveries and resolving healthcare, the researchers of our institute are working collaboratively across many disciplines with our physician-scientists to realize the full potential of genomic sequencing. This team science approach is critical to advancing treatment and speeding the handoff from discovery to clinical implementation. By linking cutting-edge research and next-generation sequencing in the laboratory to the patient’s bedside, the EIPM hopes to revolutionize the way we treat disease.

How does Precision Medicine work? 

Core Team 

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Theresa MacDonald
Theresa MacDonald
Director of Strategy
Theresa MacDonald is Director of Strategy at the Englander Institute. In this role, she is responsible for developing strategic plans and new...
Shauna L. Houlihan
Shauna L. Houlihan
Associate Director of Liver Research
Shauna L. Houlihan, Ph.D. is Associate Director of Liver Research at the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine...
Pinkal Desai
Pinkal Desai
EIPM Molecular Aging Institute's Clinical Director
Pinkal Desai, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the WCM Hematology and Medical Oncology Department and is the Charles, Lillian, and...
Pashtoon Kasi
Pashtoon Kasi
Director for Liquid Biopsy Research
Pashtoon Kasi, M.D. is the EIPM Director for Liquid Biopsy Research Dr. Kasi joined the Englander Institute as Director for Liquid Biopsy...
Omar Abdul-Rahman
Omar Abdul-Rahman
Director of Clinical Genetics
Dr. Abdul-Rahman is the Director of Clinical Genetics at the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. “I look forward ...
Olivier Elemento
Olivier Elemento
EIPM Director
Olivier Elemento, Ph.D., is the Director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine (EIPM). He is also a Tenured  Professor in the...
Melissa B. Davis
Melissa B. Davis
Director of Health Equity
Melissa B. Davis, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery, Scientific Director of the International ...
Massimo Cristofanilli
Massimo Cristofanilli
Scientific Director
Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D. is the Scientific Director of the EIPM. In early 2022, Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli joined the Englander Institute as...
M. Laura Martin
M. Laura Martin
Ex Vivo Models Director
M. Laura Martin, Ph.D., leads efforts in the utilization of patient-derived models of cancer, studying the functional impact of genetic and...
Laura Santambrogio
Laura Santambrogio
Associate Director for Precision Immunology
Laura Santambrogio, M.D., Ph.D., is the Associate Director for Precision Immunology at the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine. She also...
Juan Miguel Mosquera
Juan Miguel Mosquera
Director of Research Pathology
Juan Miguel Mosquera, M.D., MSc., is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, an Attending Pathologist at the...
Jeff Catalano
Jeff Catalano
Associate Director of IPM Administration
Jeff Catalano is the Associate Director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine for IPM Administration. Accomplished healthcare...
Cora Sternberg
Cora Sternberg
Clinical Director
Dr. Cora Sternberg is Professor of Medicine and the Clinical Director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine...
Bishoy Faltas
Bishoy Faltas
Director of Bladder Cancer Research
Bishoy Morris Faltas, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and an Assistant Attending in the Genitourinary...
Andrea Sboner
Andrea Sboner
Director of Informatics and Computational Biology
Andrea Sboner, Ph.D., is the Director of Informatics and Computational Biology and an Associate Professor of Computational Genomics in...
Alicia Alonso
Alicia Alonso
Director of Innovation
Alicia Alonso, Ph.D., MSc, is Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, and Scientific Director, Epigenetics Core, at the Joan and Sanford I...