Dr. Cesarman is a Hematopathologist and Molecular Pathologist. She serves as Assistant Director of the Molecular Immunopathology Laboratory of the New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weil Cornell. Dr. Cesarman's research focuses on malignancies associated with AIDS and other immunodeficiencies.
Dr. Cesarmans laboratory studies the process of viral oncogenesis in human cancer, focusing on the molecular characterization of immunodeficiency-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including those associated with AIDS, as well as those presenting in solid organ transplant recipients, many of which are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Much of the recent research is focused on the characterization of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), especially as it relates to cellular transformation and oncogenesis. The laboratory was involved in the identification of this infectious agent which is etiologically linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, the most common malignancy in patients with AIDS. We have also identified its consistent presence in a rare subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas called primary effusion (or body cavity-based) lymphomas. These lymphomas have been used by us and others to establish cell lines, which are still the only efficient system to grow and produce KSHV in vitro, and represent the most widely used substrate for serologic analysis for assessment of KSHV infection.
Our ongoing research is aimed at characterizing the oncogenes encoded by KSHV and EBV, with the goal of dissecting the mechanism of transformation by these viruses and understanding their role in the development of malignant lymphoma or Kaposi's sarcoma. By characterizing the viral proteins that provide survival signals to the tumor cells, we hope to inhibit these viral proteins as a novel approach for the treatment of EBV- and KSHV-related malignancies.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
MD-1981 Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico.
MS-1984 Department of Pathology, New York University, New York.
Ph.D.-1990 Department of Pathology, New York University, New York.
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS HELD:
1998-1991 Anatomic Pathology Resident- College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University, New York.
1991-1992 Hematopathology Fellow- College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University, New York.
1992-1993 Instructor of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University, New York.
1993-1994 Assistant Professor of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University, New York.
1994-1999 Assistant Professor of Pathology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York.
1994-1999 Assistant Attending Pathologist, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
1999-2007 Associate Professor of Pathology (Tenured), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York.
1999-Present Associate Attending Pathologist, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
2007-Present Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Tenured), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York.
PROFESSIONAL & LICENSURE:
1981 Licensed in Medicine, Mexico.
1982 ECFMG Certification.
1983 Federal Licensing Examination, Massachusetts.
1991 Medical License, New York State.
1991 Anatomic Pathology National Boards.
2007 Molecular Genetic Pathology National Boards
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
1. American Society for Clinical Investigation
2. The American Society of Hematology
3. Association for Molecular Pathology
4. American Society for Microbiology
5. Henry Kunkel Society
6. National Institutes of Health- Office of AIDS Research Grant study section AARR-4 on AIDS Malignancies and Opportunistic Infections (1999-2004)
7. College of CSR Reviewers
