Simon D. Spivack

Simon D. Spivack, MD, MPH, is a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, holding joint appointments in the Departments of Medicine (Pulmonary Medicine), Epidemiology & Population Health (Epidemiology), and Genetics. He serves as Chief Emeritus of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. His research focuses on developing non-invasive biomarkers for early lung cancer detection, leveraging epigenetic studies, gene-environment interactions, and airway biomarkers such as exhaled microRNAs. Clinically, he specializes in lung nodule evaluation, lung cancer screening, interstitial lung disease, and environmental lung disease.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology, McGill University (1980)
• Doctor of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University (1985)
• Master of Public Health, Harvard University (1989)
• Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship, University of Vermont (1992)

Research Interests: Dr. Spivack’s lab explores molecular mechanisms of lung carcinogenesis, including DNA methylation, microRNA regulation, and omics-based approaches. They pioneer non-invasive methods using exhaled breath condensate and buccal cell samples to assess lung cancer risk. Key projects include genome-wide epigenetic profiling and functional studies of promoter regions in carcinogenesis pathways.

Publications & Awards: Over 60 peer-reviewed publications, including landmark studies in Nature Genetics, Epigenetics, and Clinical Cancer Research. Recognized with the Excellence in Research Award (ALA) and sustained NIH funding for over 25 years. Holds patents on RNA quantitation, methylation analysis, and miRNA binding assays.

Grants & Labs: Continuously funded by NIH (R01 grants), Department of Defense, and private foundations. Collaborates with Einstein’s informatics and biostatistics cores for integrative ‘omics research. Leads translational efforts to bridge basic epigenetic discoveries with clinical lung cancer detection tools.