Dean of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
The Hempstead lab studies the role of secreted and cell-tethered ligands to induce neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, processes which are relevant in Alzheimer’s disease and acute neuronal injury.
The Hempstead lab identifies the actions of locally synthesized ligands to activate receptors on neurons that regulate neuronal survival, synaptic activity, synaptic structure and even neuronal apoptosis. Using neurotrophin receptors as a model system, the laboratory has focused on identifying how the specificity and fidelity of receptor action is encoded.
A fascinating aspect is that different classes of neurotrophin receptors (Trk receptor tyrosine kinases, a TNF receptor superfamily member-p75, and sortilin family members) can be activated by more than a half dozen ligands (mature neurotrophins, proneurotrophins, immunomodulatory proteins), to maintain neuronal function, and to induce pathological changes in the setting of neurodegenerative disease and acute injury. Where possible, we integrate studies using preclinical murine models with published pathophysiological data to design new therapeutics to block receptor activation.
Biography
Dr. Hempstead received her bachelor's degree in biology from Tufts University, and her medical degree and doctorate in cellular biology from Washington University School of Medicine in the Medical Scientist Training Program.
She completed her residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Before her tenure as dean, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Dr Hempstead served as co-chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, associate dean for faculty development and senior associate dean for education, all at Weill Cornell Medicine.
