معرفی
Peter A. Goldstein, M.D. is a distinguished academic physician-scientist holding multiple professorial appointments at Weill Cornell Medical College. He currently serves as Professor of Medical Ethics in Medicine (2024), Professor of Anesthesiology in Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute (2019), and Professor of Anesthesiology (2012). His work bridges clinical anesthesia practice with fundamental neuroscience research, focusing on mechanisms of anesthetic action and novel pain therapeutics.
His educational background includes:
- M.D., Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1989)
- A.B., Cornell University (1985)
Dr. Goldstein's research has centered on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of general anesthetic action, with recent expansion into developing novel, non-opiate-based antihyperalgesics for neuropathic pain treatment. His laboratory employs diverse techniques including molecular biology, protein chemistry, in silico modeling, and electrophysiology (two-electrode voltage clamp and whole-cell patch clamp). His work particularly focuses on hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, especially HCN1, and their role in anesthetic mechanisms and pain pathways. This research has significant implications for understanding anesthetic-induced unconsciousness and developing new pain treatments that avoid opioid-related complications.
Dr. Goldstein's recent publications demonstrate an evolving research trajectory that maintains his foundational work on anesthetic mechanisms while expanding into related areas of neuroscience, pain management, and medical ethics. His most recent work continues to explore HCN channel modulation but also addresses critical issues in EEG monitoring during anesthesia, neuropathic pain treatment alternatives, and ethical considerations in modern medical practice. The research shows increasing translational focus, moving from basic mechanisms toward clinical applications for conditions like neuropathic pain and perioperative cognitive disorders.
Dr. Goldstein has received numerous prestigious awards and grants throughout his career:
- 1987 Mt. Sinai School of Medicine Research Award
- 1993 Recipient, Foundation for Anesthesia Education & Research Starter Grant
- 1997 Recipient, NIH Mentored Clinical-Scientist Development Grant (K08)
- 2004 NIH RO1 Grant - Anesthetic effects on thalamic synaptic transmission
- 2005 Elected Member, Association of University Anesthesiologists
- 2014 Recipient, Daedalus Fund for Innovation Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
- 2015 Recipient, US Dept. of Defense Grant - Novel non-anesthetic alkylphenols for the treatment of neuropathic pain
As a Principal Investigator in the C.V. Starr Laboratory for Molecular Neuropharmacology, Dr. Goldstein has secured significant research funding including NIH grants (K08, RO1), Department of Defense funding, and industry partnerships. His work with Akelos, Inc. (where he serves on the Scientific Advisory Board and holds ownership/proprietary interests) focuses on developing HCN1-selective inverse agonists for neuropathic pain treatment. This translational research exemplifies his commitment to bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications.
Dr. Goldstein leads research in the C.V. Starr Laboratory for Molecular Neuropharmacology within the Department of Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College. His team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, electrophysiology, and computational modeling to investigate ion channel function in anesthesia and pain pathways. The laboratory has established expertise in thalamic physiology and HCN channel research, contributing significantly to understanding how anesthetics produce unconsciousness and how novel compounds might treat neuropathic pain.
