David L. Spector

David L. Spector is Professor and Director of Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he holds the Robert B. Gardner Jr. endowed chair. He earned his PhD from Rutgers University (1980) and leads the Gene Regulation and Cell Proliferation program in the CSHL Cancer Center.

Research investigates nuclear organization mechanisms, lncRNA functions in breast cancer metastasis, and embryonic stem cell differentiation using advanced imaging and organoid models. His lab identified MALAT1 lncRNA as a key metastasis regulator.

Publications demonstrate innovations in cancer organoid modeling and lncRNA functional characterization. Recent work establishes patient-derived breast tumor organoids for precision oncology applications.

Honors include American Academy of Arts & Sciences membership and ASCB Fellowship recognizing contributions to nuclear biology and imaging technologies.