Alice Heicklen

Alice Heicklen serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, specializing in molecular and developmental biology with dual research focuses in cardiovascular development and plant genomics.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Transcriptional Regulation of the Microtubule Associated Protein Tau from Weizmann Institute of Science (2000), where she received the Outstanding Student Award
• MS in Intermodal Compensation in Neonatally Enucleated Syrian Hamster from Tel Aviv University (1991)
• BA from Penn State University (1988)

Dr. Heicklen's research integrates cardiovascular developmental biology using zebrafish models to study GATA transcription factors in heart formation, with plant molecular genetics focusing on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPC) evolution across diverse species. Her innovative work includes creating transgenic zebrafish lines for real-time visualization of cardiac development and extensive cloning of GAPC genes from over 20 plant species.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2010-2015) reveals consistent methodology in plant gene characterization, with research spanning agricultural crops, medicinal plants, and ornamental species. This body of work demonstrates technical expertise in gene cloning and sequencing while contributing to understanding metabolic pathway evolution.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Outstanding Student Award during doctoral studies
• NIH Cardiovascular Fellowship
• American Heart Association Scientific Development Fellowship

Her postdoctoral training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2000-2004) established her research trajectory through competitively funded fellowships. Current activities focus on molecular techniques development and collaborative projects across biological disciplines, with ongoing work in both animal developmental models and plant genomics.

Dr. Heicklen maintains active research collaborations evident in her co-authorship patterns, working with teams at Columbia University and leveraging institutional resources in biological sciences.