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Members of the LBMS
Dr Spector is the principle investigator and founder of the
LBMS. He completed medical school, general surgery
and plastic surgery residency, and microsurgical
fellowship at New York University Medical Center. A
member of Alpha Omega Alpha, he is the recipient of the
Valentine Mott Award, the Northeastern Society of Plastic
Surgeons Resident Competition, and New York Regional
Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Presentation awards.
He is author or co-author of 55 peer-reviewed
publications, and has received funding from the Plastic
Surgery Education Foundation, the Morgan Seed Grant
for Collaborative Multidisciplinary Research in Tissue
Engineering, and the Weill Cornell Medical College
Department of Surgery-Ithaca Biomedical Engineering
College Collaborative Grant.
LBMS. He completed medical school, general surgery
and plastic surgery residency, and microsurgical
fellowship at New York University Medical Center. A
member of Alpha Omega Alpha, he is the recipient of the
Valentine Mott Award, the Northeastern Society of Plastic
Surgeons Resident Competition, and New York Regional
Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Presentation awards.
He is author or co-author of 55 peer-reviewed
publications, and has received funding from the Plastic
Surgery Education Foundation, the Morgan Seed Grant
for Collaborative Multidisciplinary Research in Tissue
Engineering, and the Weill Cornell Medical College
Department of Surgery-Ithaca Biomedical Engineering
College Collaborative Grant.
Jason A. Spector, MD
Peter W. Henderson, MD
Dr Henderson is the chief research fellow. Originally from
Seattle, he graduated from Harvard University, and
received his MD from Weill Cornell Medical College. He
has completed two years of general surgery residency at
New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical
Center, and is currently on sabbatical in order to pursue
his research interests. He is author or co-author of 31 peer-
reviewed papers and abstracts and 3 book chapters, and
he was the 2006 recipient of the Harry L Bush Award for
Excellence in Vascular Biology. He is a member of the
American College of Surgeons and the Tissue
Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International
Society, and is a medical advisory board member of New
Wave Surgical, Inc. In addition to his clinical practice
and scientific research, he is currently studying for his
MBA at New York University.
Seattle, he graduated from Harvard University, and
received his MD from Weill Cornell Medical College. He
has completed two years of general surgery residency at
New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical
Center, and is currently on sabbatical in order to pursue
his research interests. He is author or co-author of 31 peer-
reviewed papers and abstracts and 3 book chapters, and
he was the 2006 recipient of the Harry L Bush Award for
Excellence in Vascular Biology. He is a member of the
American College of Surgeons and the Tissue
Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International
Society, and is a medical advisory board member of New
Wave Surgical, Inc. In addition to his clinical practice
and scientific research, he is currently studying for his
MBA at New York University.
Sunil P. Singh, MD
Dr. Singh received his MD from New York University
School of Medicine with Honors in Cellular Biology, He is
currently an Internal Medicine resident at Beth Israel
Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine. Raised in upstate New York, he graduated
Summa Cum Laude from New York University with a
degree in Economics and Chemistry as well as election to
the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. His research career
began during his undergraduate years under Dr. Neil
Harrison at Weill Cornell Medical College where he
studied the structure and function of the GABA-A receptor
as well as made significant contributions to scientific data
analysis with the design of several electrophysiology
software packages. He continued his research pursuits
upon matriculating at NYU School Medicine in the
Laboratory for Microvascular Research and Vascular
Tissue Engineering under the direction of several faculty
members of the NYU Institute of Reconstructive Plastic
Surgery where he studied the angiogenic effects of
hypoxia and low dose radiation. Between his 3rd and 4th
year of medical school, he helped found the LBMS under
the direction of Dr. Jason Spector where he studied the
cytoprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide against
ischemia reperfusion injury, the efficacy of novel
anti-seroma and anti-hemostatic agents as well as the
construction of artificial vascularized tissue constructs.
He is an author or co-author on over 45 peer reviewed
papers and abstracts and was the recipient of the 2008
NIH Mentored Medical Student Research Grant as well as
the 2007 Glorney Raisbeck Medical Student Grant for
Cardiovascular Research for his work. In addition, Sunil is
responsible for the design and maintenance of the LBMS
website. After his internal medicine training, he plans to
apply for a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease.
School of Medicine with Honors in Cellular Biology, He is
currently an Internal Medicine resident at Beth Israel
Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine. Raised in upstate New York, he graduated
Summa Cum Laude from New York University with a
degree in Economics and Chemistry as well as election to
the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. His research career
began during his undergraduate years under Dr. Neil
Harrison at Weill Cornell Medical College where he
studied the structure and function of the GABA-A receptor
as well as made significant contributions to scientific data
analysis with the design of several electrophysiology
software packages. He continued his research pursuits
upon matriculating at NYU School Medicine in the
Laboratory for Microvascular Research and Vascular
Tissue Engineering under the direction of several faculty
members of the NYU Institute of Reconstructive Plastic
Surgery where he studied the angiogenic effects of
hypoxia and low dose radiation. Between his 3rd and 4th
year of medical school, he helped found the LBMS under
the direction of Dr. Jason Spector where he studied the
cytoprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide against
ischemia reperfusion injury, the efficacy of novel
anti-seroma and anti-hemostatic agents as well as the
construction of artificial vascularized tissue constructs.
He is an author or co-author on over 45 peer reviewed
papers and abstracts and was the recipient of the 2008
NIH Mentored Medical Student Research Grant as well as
the 2007 Glorney Raisbeck Medical Student Grant for
Cardiovascular Research for his work. In addition, Sunil is
responsible for the design and maintenance of the LBMS
website. After his internal medicine training, he plans to
apply for a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease.
Vijay Nagineni, MBBS
Vijay was born and raised in India in the town of Kurnool,
AP where he attended Montessori School. He graduated
with Rajiv Gandhi University in Bengalore, India. After
completing two years of surgical residency in India, he
has worked as a research assistant in Houston, as well as
joining the LBMS. He is both USMLE and ECFMG
certified. His parents’ names are Jaya and Shankar, and
he has one sister, Sirisha. His hobbies include cricket,
chess, and going to the gym.
AP where he attended Montessori School. He graduated
with Rajiv Gandhi University in Bengalore, India. After
completing two years of surgical residency in India, he
has worked as a research assistant in Houston, as well as
joining the LBMS. He is both USMLE and ECFMG
certified. His parents’ names are Jaya and Shankar, and
he has one sister, Sirisha. His hobbies include cricket,
chess, and going to the gym.
Andrew L. Weinstein, BS
Esther Teo is from Salem, OR and a graduate of the
University of Southern California in Los Angeles with a
major in Biological Sciences and minors in Urban
Neighborhood Studies and Bioethics. She is currently a
medical student at Weill Medical College of Cornell
University in New York City and plans to apply for
residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her
research interests include wound healing, virology, and
gene therapy in which she has contributed to several
publications and scientific presentations. Esther is also
dedicated to service work with in urban communities
through her involvement with the USC Volunteer Center,
Camp Phoenix pediatric burn camp, and the Weill
Cornell Community Clinic.
University of Southern California in Los Angeles with a
major in Biological Sciences and minors in Urban
Neighborhood Studies and Bioethics. She is currently a
medical student at Weill Medical College of Cornell
University in New York City and plans to apply for
residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her
research interests include wound healing, virology, and
gene therapy in which she has contributed to several
publications and scientific presentations. Esther is also
dedicated to service work with in urban communities
through her involvement with the USC Volunteer Center,
Camp Phoenix pediatric burn camp, and the Weill
Cornell Community Clinic.
Jacob Weissich, BA
Josephine Sung, BS
Esther Teo, BS
Josephine is keenly interested in helping advance the
field of abnormal wound healing and hopes to use her
research experience to resolve pressing dermatological
concerns. She attended MIT as an undergrad and
graduated with a B.S. in Biology. While there, she worked
for Dr. Langer's renowned chemical engineering lab and
published a paper on the use of nanomaterials for drug
distribution. Thereafter, she worked as a lab manager for
Biomodels, LLC, for one year before leaving for medical
school. She acquired experience on animal husbandry
and preclinical research. She presently attends the
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where she is
currently starting her second year after spending the
summer at NYPH. When she is not studying, she enjoys
seeing family, visiting NYC and Boston, and keeping as
busy as possible.
field of abnormal wound healing and hopes to use her
research experience to resolve pressing dermatological
concerns. She attended MIT as an undergrad and
graduated with a B.S. in Biology. While there, she worked
for Dr. Langer's renowned chemical engineering lab and
published a paper on the use of nanomaterials for drug
distribution. Thereafter, she worked as a lab manager for
Biomodels, LLC, for one year before leaving for medical
school. She acquired experience on animal husbandry
and preclinical research. She presently attends the
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where she is
currently starting her second year after spending the
summer at NYPH. When she is not studying, she enjoys
seeing family, visiting NYC and Boston, and keeping as
busy as possible.
Daniel J. M. Kadouch, MSc
A native of France, Daniel is currently a medical student
at the Vrije Universiteit Medical Center in Amsterdam,
The Netherlands. Before starting medical school, he
obtained a BSc of Biomedical Sciences. His research
interests include wound healing and ischaemia
reperfusion injury, and his work at the Laboratory for
Bioregenerative Medicine and Surgery involved several
projects including seroma prevention, hemostasis and
ischemia-reperfusion injury. For his work in New York, he
received a national Research Award. His hobby's include
kite surfing, traveling, indoor soccer and photography.
at the Vrije Universiteit Medical Center in Amsterdam,
The Netherlands. Before starting medical school, he
obtained a BSc of Biomedical Sciences. His research
interests include wound healing and ischaemia
reperfusion injury, and his work at the Laboratory for
Bioregenerative Medicine and Surgery involved several
projects including seroma prevention, hemostasis and
ischemia-reperfusion injury. For his work in New York, he
received a national Research Award. His hobby's include
kite surfing, traveling, indoor soccer and photography.
Alice Harper, BA
Alice Harper grew up in Seattle, WA, and attended Vassar
College. Upon graduation, she moved to San Francisco
and worked for Dr Alexander Nicholas Contopoulos in the
Anatomy Department of UCSF, and attended San
Francisco State University. After moving to New York, she
worked in the Plastic Surgery Department of NYU Hospital
where she remained for 20 years, resigning just before the
birth of her son, Harper Buonanno. Those were years of
great advances in the field of microsurgery and the
department began to offer a course of instruction in the
techniques of microsurgery using animal practice models.
As a current part-time employee in the LBMS at Weill
Cornell Medical College she continues to offer a similar
course.
College. Upon graduation, she moved to San Francisco
and worked for Dr Alexander Nicholas Contopoulos in the
Anatomy Department of UCSF, and attended San
Francisco State University. After moving to New York, she
worked in the Plastic Surgery Department of NYU Hospital
where she remained for 20 years, resigning just before the
birth of her son, Harper Buonanno. Those were years of
great advances in the field of microsurgery and the
department began to offer a course of instruction in the
techniques of microsurgery using animal practice models.
As a current part-time employee in the LBMS at Weill
Cornell Medical College she continues to offer a similar
course.
Daniel Belkin, BA
Dan is originally from the New York area and is currently a
second year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical
College. In 2006, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Amherst College with a degree in Philosophy. While
there, he researched an animal model for schizophrenia
with Professor Sarah Turgeon through a Howard Hughes
Medical Institute fellowship. After graduation, he became
an associate with a small healthcare consulting and
media firm in San Francisco, Close Concerns, which
focuses on expertise in diabetes and obesity. Dan began
working with LBMS in March 2008 as a first year medical
student and continues to do research on ischemia
reperfusion injury in various cell models. Other activities
include doing clinical research in the Department of
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and acting as the
fundraising chair for the Weill Cornell Community Clinic.
In addition to plastic surgery and research, he is interested
in holistic medicine, ethics, and global health.
second year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical
College. In 2006, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Amherst College with a degree in Philosophy. While
there, he researched an animal model for schizophrenia
with Professor Sarah Turgeon through a Howard Hughes
Medical Institute fellowship. After graduation, he became
an associate with a small healthcare consulting and
media firm in San Francisco, Close Concerns, which
focuses on expertise in diabetes and obesity. Dan began
working with LBMS in March 2008 as a first year medical
student and continues to do research on ischemia
reperfusion injury in various cell models. Other activities
include doing clinical research in the Department of
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and acting as the
fundraising chair for the Weill Cornell Community Clinic.
In addition to plastic surgery and research, he is interested
in holistic medicine, ethics, and global health.
Jake was born and raised in San Francisco,
California, where in high school and the beginning
of college music was his primary interest. He was the
lead singer of a blues/rock band that performed at
various venues throughout California. After
receiving EMT certification in 2004, Jake became
very interested in the sciences, and a job doing
wound care at New York Presbyterian Hospital’s
renowned Burn ICU spawned a fascination with
wounds and wound healing. It is this fascination that
led Jake to LBMS. His research there has
encompassed wound healing and prevention,
focusing on ischemia/reperfusion injury and
hemostasis. In addition to science, his interests
include fitness, sports, music, languages, etymology,
world history, and travel. Jake is newly married to his
best friend of 14 years, Diana Kloss, with whom he
plans on returning to the west coast. He will be
applying to dental school in June 2009.
California, where in high school and the beginning
of college music was his primary interest. He was the
lead singer of a blues/rock band that performed at
various venues throughout California. After
receiving EMT certification in 2004, Jake became
very interested in the sciences, and a job doing
wound care at New York Presbyterian Hospital’s
renowned Burn ICU spawned a fascination with
wounds and wound healing. It is this fascination that
led Jake to LBMS. His research there has
encompassed wound healing and prevention,
focusing on ischemia/reperfusion injury and
hemostasis. In addition to science, his interests
include fitness, sports, music, languages, etymology,
world history, and travel. Jake is newly married to his
best friend of 14 years, Diana Kloss, with whom he
plans on returning to the west coast. He will be
applying to dental school in June 2009.
Allie Sohn, BA
Interested in pursuing a career in plastic and
reconstructive surgery, Allie is taking a year off in between
MSIII and MSIV at Albert Einstein College of Medicine to
work full-time at LBMS. For the research year, she is
granted the Einstein Research Fellowship. Originally from
Marietta, Georgia, she attended Emory University, where
she worked under Dr. Arbiser in the Dept of Dermatology
investigating anti-cancer agents for endothelial tumors.
She is a co-author of 4 peer-reviewed publications.
Graduating in 2006 with a BS in biology, she moved up to
New York for medical school. Currently, her research
involves tissue engineering/cotton candy project,
hydrogen sulfide effects on radiated cells and intestinal
cells, therapeutic ultrasound application for varicose
veins. For hobbies, she enjoys doing yoga and craft
projects.
reconstructive surgery, Allie is taking a year off in between
MSIII and MSIV at Albert Einstein College of Medicine to
work full-time at LBMS. For the research year, she is
granted the Einstein Research Fellowship. Originally from
Marietta, Georgia, she attended Emory University, where
she worked under Dr. Arbiser in the Dept of Dermatology
investigating anti-cancer agents for endothelial tumors.
She is a co-author of 4 peer-reviewed publications.
Graduating in 2006 with a BS in biology, she moved up to
New York for medical school. Currently, her research
involves tissue engineering/cotton candy project,
hydrogen sulfide effects on radiated cells and intestinal
cells, therapeutic ultrasound application for varicose
veins. For hobbies, she enjoys doing yoga and craft
projects.
David Krijgh, MSc
David Krijgh started medical school in 2005 at the
Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is
born in October 1986 and is of Dutch, German and
American origin. He worked for 2 years in one of the
bigger hospitals of Rotterdam as an ER and OR assistant.
His research interests contain ischemia reperfusion injury,
tissue regeneration and wound healing. In February 2010
he will start his rotations in the Netherlands. His objective
after his rotations is to apply for residency in plastic and
reconstructive surgery. His hobbies are golf, field hockey,
soccer, skiing, sailing and music.
Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is
born in October 1986 and is of Dutch, German and
American origin. He worked for 2 years in one of the
bigger hospitals of Rotterdam as an ER and OR assistant.
His research interests contain ischemia reperfusion injury,
tissue regeneration and wound healing. In February 2010
he will start his rotations in the Netherlands. His objective
after his rotations is to apply for residency in plastic and
reconstructive surgery. His hobbies are golf, field hockey,
soccer, skiing, sailing and music.
Andrew is originally from New York City and attended the
Dalton School. He has two brothers, Bobby and David,
and his parents are Rose-Ann and Jeffrey. He graduated
Summa Cum Laude from Cornell University in May 2008
with a BS (major Biometry and Statistics) and is currently
an MSI at the NYU School of Medicine. His hobbies
include designing and building sculptures, golf, and
backgammon.
Dalton School. He has two brothers, Bobby and David,
and his parents are Rose-Ann and Jeffrey. He graduated
Summa Cum Laude from Cornell University in May 2008
with a BS (major Biometry and Statistics) and is currently
an MSI at the NYU School of Medicine. His hobbies
include designing and building sculptures, golf, and
backgammon.
Bennett Wechsler
Born and raised in New York City, Bennett is a current
Biology and Society major at Cornell University and an
alumnus of The Dalton School. His interest in medicine
led him to join LBMS for the summers of 2008 and 2009.
Working at LBMS generated in Bennett a newfound
interest in medical research and development.
Biology and Society major at Cornell University and an
alumnus of The Dalton School. His interest in medicine
led him to join LBMS for the summers of 2008 and 2009.
Working at LBMS generated in Bennett a newfound
interest in medical research and development.
Natalia Jimenez, BA
Natalia is taking time off between her 3rd and 4th year of
medical school to pursue her research interests. Born in
Colombia, Natalia lived in Florida for a large part of her
childhood. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University,
where she was accepted into the Golden Key
International Honour Society while majoring in
Psychological Brain Science and earning a minor in
Spanish for the Professional. As an undergraduate,
Natalia researched comparative neurobiology of the
avian song system in Dr. Gregory Ball’s lab at Johns
Hopkins. Her interests in international health lead her to
participate in medical missions to Jamaica with NOVA
Southeastern University and Kilimanjaro Christian
Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. While in Moshi, she
contributed to research characterizing pediatric
neurological defects among members of different tribes in
the area. In 2009, Natalia gratefully accepted the Clinical
and Translational Science Center TL1 Award, allowing
her to pursue a Masters in Clinical Investigations while
examining the effects of hydrogen sulfide on ischemia
reperfusion injury. Natalia is also an active member of
Camp Pheonix, an organization that helps pediatric burn
victims recover and regain self-confidence, and the
Latino Medical Student Association. In her spare time,
she enjoys bicycling, playing volleyball, and drawing.
medical school to pursue her research interests. Born in
Colombia, Natalia lived in Florida for a large part of her
childhood. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University,
where she was accepted into the Golden Key
International Honour Society while majoring in
Psychological Brain Science and earning a minor in
Spanish for the Professional. As an undergraduate,
Natalia researched comparative neurobiology of the
avian song system in Dr. Gregory Ball’s lab at Johns
Hopkins. Her interests in international health lead her to
participate in medical missions to Jamaica with NOVA
Southeastern University and Kilimanjaro Christian
Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. While in Moshi, she
contributed to research characterizing pediatric
neurological defects among members of different tribes in
the area. In 2009, Natalia gratefully accepted the Clinical
and Translational Science Center TL1 Award, allowing
her to pursue a Masters in Clinical Investigations while
examining the effects of hydrogen sulfide on ischemia
reperfusion injury. Natalia is also an active member of
Camp Pheonix, an organization that helps pediatric burn
victims recover and regain self-confidence, and the
Latino Medical Student Association. In her spare time,
she enjoys bicycling, playing volleyball, and drawing.
