About

Nice to meet you, I'm Dvir!

PhD Candidate at The Rockefeller University / Simon lab

I'm currently a PhD candidate in Biomedical Research
at The Rockefeller University in the Simon Lab.Previously, I was a Neuroscience Master's student working in the Pinar Ayata Lab at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC).
At the Ayata Lab, I led a research project studying how microglia respond to foreign aggregates during neurodegenerative diseases. To answer this question, I collaborated with nanoscientists at the ASRC NanoFabrication Core Facility to fabricate a novel model for measuring the ability of cells to sense aggregates.Before joining ASRC, I was awarded a full scholarship to conduct research at the Weizmann Institute on the function of the SLAMF9 immune receptor in plasmacytoid dendritic cells.I was also involved in a wide range of other research projects including the molecular underpinnings of traumatic brain injury in Alzheimer's disease (NYU) and the effects of learning on songbird neurogenesis (Queens College).

"In the Midst of an Experiment"
_{By Thi Ngo - Ayata Lab Manager}

I am fascinated by the prospect of translating science to solve real-world problems that affect human health.I have developed a spectroscopy-based biosensor concept that prevents food-borne illness as well as a prototype for a novel metal-nanoparticle air filter that removes particulate matter from polluted indoor spaces. I presented my prototypes and concepts at startup competitions and won several awards including at the JA Business Competition (first place), QC PitchFest (finalist), CLASH Startup Competition (finalist), and NSF/CUNY Innovation Corps Boot Camp (grant recipient).Finally, in striving to better communicate my science, I was a member of the CUNY SciCom Team and won the award for best general audience presentation at the CUNY Graduate Center SciCom Symposium.When I am not in the lab, you can find me on stage performing with my violin or in the classroom mentoring young scientists as a Teaching Fellow with The New York Academy of Science.

Teaching Fellow - New York Academy of Science

Designed and taught basic science workshops as a Science Teaching Fellow for the New York Academy of Sciences ASMP program (serving high-poverty public schools in New York City).Featured in the Academy Newsletter.

Best Presentation - CUNY SciComm Team

Worked with fellow graduate students to translate new research into digestible presentations. My presentation to a panel of judges at the CUNY Graduate Center Symposium was awarded best general audience presentation and a Feature Piece in the journal Matter.
_{(Cell Press)}

Student Researcher - Advanced Science Research Center

Leading a research project under the supervision
of Dr. Pinar Ayata on how microglia respond to foreign aggregates (paper in preparation). Collaborating with ASRC nanoscientists in designing and fabricating microparticles with varying physical properties as a novel model system for studying cellular mechanosensation.

Fellow - Weizmann Summer Research Institute

Awarded a full scholarship to research plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) at the Weizmann Institute (under the supervision of Dr. Lital Sever). My collaborators and I presented at the university symposium and published our research about the role of SLAMF9 in health and disease.
Press Release.

IRB Member - International Socioeconomic Laboratory

As a member of the Institutional Review Board, evaluated proposals of student teams to ensure research is conducted according to ethical principles. Our mission was to meet the increasing demand for non-partisan empirical information on international issues.

Other Projects:

Caltech Summer Research Fellowship (canceled due to Covid-19) - Marianne Bronner Lab

I wrote a research proposal on the role of the gene Nacc2 in the development of neural crest cells. I had planned to explore Nacc2 by identifying the time and spatial location at which it is expressed during the development of cardiac neural crest cells. Then, to establish its function, I planned to analyze transcriptome data from Nacc2-knockout neural crest cells isolated from chick embryos.

NYU Skirball Institute - Moses Chao Lab

I performed protein analyses of post-injury brain tissue to determine whether there was a link between BACE1, an enzyme upregulated following injury, and p75, a neurotrophin receptor. My protein analysis showed that BACE1 was not upregulated in p75 null mice that underwent cortical injury, suggesting that p75 was required for the upregulation of BACE1 (published in Mol Cell Neurosci).

CUNY Queens College - Carolyn Pytte Lab

It is thought that learning affects the survival of new neurons in adults, and the more difficult a learning task, the higher the rate of new neuron survival. To study this hypothesis, I used Zebra Finches as a model system due to key anatomical and behavioral similarities with humans including the NCM (Caudomedial Nidopallium), the songbird equivalent of the human auditory association cortex. I investigated whether the difficulty of an operant song discrimination task affects neurogenesis in the Zebra Finch NCM.

BACKGROUND

I studied violin at the Manhattan School of Music with preeminent pedagogues including Yonitte Ryger, Julie Kurtzman, Grigory Kalinovsky, Wu Jie, and Nicholas Mann (Chair of MSM Strings).Recently, I was selected as a fellow with the Carnegie Hall Future Music Project, composing original works and performing with the ensemble at Carnegie Hall.I have performed at many venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, National Arts Centre, Scandinavia House, Joe's Pub, and Colden Auditorium. I led my chamber ensemble to win first place at the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society Competition and the Chamber Music Competition of the Manhattan School of Music.Currently, I play with my folk ensemble The Chutzpah Caravan and perform at community centers with various non-profit organizations.

Performing Artist -
Various Non-profits

Performing weekly live music concerts for patients in hospitals/hospice facilities and for home-bound senior citizens, organized by non-profit organizations
including Music that Heals and Concerts in Motion.

Founder and Violinist -
The Chutzpah Caravan

Founded and led The Chutzpah Caravan Folk Ensemble in performance tours across the Northeast. Arranged new pieces for live performance and managed recording sessions.

Fellow - Carnegie Hall Future Music Project and NY Youth Symphony

Composed, arranged, and performed Original Scores at the NYYS Musical Theater Program and the Carnegie Hall Future Music Project.

Music Teacher

Taught weekly violin lessons to students (aged 7-18), maintaining a studio of 12 students over a 4 year period, and preparing students for major auditions/performances.

Arts Critic - The Theatre Times

Published Reviews of new music and theatre shows in New York City, covering the vibrant NYC arts scene.

Intern - Safar Partners Technology Venture Fund

Conducted a competitive analysis of a tissue replacement startup under consideration for investment, and presented analysis to Safar Venture Fund partners.

Grant Recipient - NSF I-Corps
Boot Camp

Conducted customer discovery to determine product-market fit for an original spectroscopy-based biosensor concept.
Received a seed grant following a final presentation to a panel of entrepreneurial mentors.

Finalist - CLASH Startup Competition

Developed hardware prototype & pitch deck for a low-cost air filter utilizing nanoparticle-coated face masks and presented to a panel of judges from Amazon and MUFG Bank.
See The Page.

First Place - JA New York Business Plan Competition

Developed a concept and business plan for a
spectroscopy-based biosensor that detects bacterial contamination in food products.
I led my team in pitching the plan to a panel of high-profile business judges at Ernst & Young.JA USAPress Release

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