Emily Bernstein

Emily Bernstein, PhD, is a Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is also Co-leader of the Cancer Mechanisms Research Program at The Tisch Cancer Institute, where she facilitates basic research on genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, and developmental pathways that drive cancer initiation and progression.

Dr. Bernstein's research focuses on epigenetic regulation of gene expression in cancer and development, with a particular emphasis on understanding chromatin changes during the transformation of normal cells to cancer cells. Her laboratory studies melanoma skin cancer and pediatric cancers such as neuroblastoma. Her team investigates histone variants, chromatin remodelers, and histone modifying enzymes, which are frequently altered in cancer.

Dr. Bernstein's research has significant implications for developing targeted therapies for cancer. Her work on epigenetic mechanisms has contributed to understanding how chromatin dynamics can be harnessed for cancer treatment. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding SWI/SNF complexes, ATRX mutations, histone variants like macroH2A1 and H2A.Z, and their roles in various cancers including melanoma and neuroblastoma.

• 2020 Faculty Council Award for Academic Excellence by a Senior Faculty member Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• 2019 4D Technology Development Program Mount Sinai Innovation Award
• 2017 Commencement Honoree, Graduate Student Marshal
• 2015 Established Investigator Award from Melanoma Research Alliance
• 2014 Young Investigators in Cancer Research Pershing Square Sohn Prize

Dr. Bernstein actively contributes to the academic community through teaching courses on cancer biology, serving on numerous PhD thesis committees, and as Associate Editor for Science Advances. She has also served on the Cancer Genetics Study Section of the NIH Center for Scientific Review and as a standing reviewer for multiple research grant foundations.

Her laboratory collaborates with numerous investigators at ISMMS and other institutes to translate basic mechanistic findings towards pre-clinical or clinical trials. They work closely with medicinal chemists, immunologists, and external partners to develop novel cancer therapies.