Molly C. Gale Hammell

Molly C. Gale Hammell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, affiliated with the Institute for Systems Genetics. She holds a PhD from Dartmouth College and completed postdoctoral training at UMASS Medical School in Victor Ambros Lab.

Her research focuses on transposable elements, neurodegenerative diseases (particularly ALS), RNA biology, and computational genomics. She investigates mechanisms underlying ALS pathogenesis, including TDP-43 protein dysfunction and genetic risk factors. Her work integrates multi-omic approaches and single-cell sequencing to study molecular subtypes of neurodegenerative disorders.

Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding TDP-43's role in neuronal and muscle disease, ALS-risk SNPs, and retrotransposon activation in ALS. She has also contributed to methodological advances in studying transposable elements and advocating for women in STEM through academic institutional programs.

Dr. Hammell collaborates across disciplines and leads projects funded by institutions like NYU Langone. Her lab engages in translational research bridging genetics, genomics, and neurobiology.