Meet Our Exceptional Team!
George S. Karagiannis, DVM, PhD (Laboratory Head)
George S. Karagiannis is an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. He is also affiliated with the Albert Einstein Cancer Center (AECC). He holds a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from University of Toronto, Canada, and a degree in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. His scientific contributions (>45 peer-reviewed, primary research articles and review articles) have appeared in highly-esteemed journals and specialized society journals in the fields of cancer biology, molecular oncology, cancer proteomics, and translational medicine. His most prominent publications have appeared in Science Translational Medicine, Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Molecular Cancer Research, and Molecular Oncology. The most prestigious research-related award he has received to-date is the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00). Dr. Karagiannis and his creative team currently investigate the effects of chemotherapy on the primary tumor microenvironment, as well as chemotherapy-driven immunotoxicity on primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
Maria Lagou, DVM
Postdoctoral Fellow
Maria Lagou has been a post-doctoral fellow in our laboratory as of October of 2021. She holds an Honours degree in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) in Greece. She has also previously completed a one-year internship in the Laboratory of Pathology, at the School of Veterinary Medicine, AUTh. Passionate about pathology and microscopy, she now studies the effects of chemotherapy on thymic functions and its consequences on antitumor-immunity.
Dimitra Anastasiadou, DVM
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dimitra Anastasiadou joined our laboratory on December of 2021. She obtained a degree in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) in Greece. During her studies, she completed a traineeship in the Laboratory of Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. She enjoys working in multi-disciplinary research environments, and currently studies the response of the spleen to cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Dimitris Argyris
Visiting Scientist
Anastasia-Aristoteleia Chondronikola
Visiting Scientist
Dimitris Argyris and Anastasia-Aristoteleia Chondronikola are currently undergraduates in the School of Veterinary Medicine, in Thessaloniki, Greece and are expected to graduate by September of 2022. They have both been serving as active members of IVSA (Hellas) since 2021. They have performed work and presented about clinical applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in Medical Sciences. They have joined our research team as of April of 2021, working partially remotely and partially physically in our lab throughout the year, and wish to expand their experience and knowledge in translational oncology.
Natalie Eng
Summer Student
Natalie Eng is a rising junior at the Bronx High School of Science and is currently enrolled in its Biology Research program. She is actively involved in multiple High School organizations, primarily including the Science Olympiad and Pre-Medical Club. She has joined our team as a summer student and is enthusiastic to explore the application of advanced imaging techniques for spatial studies of cancer development and metastasis.
Conner Entenberg
Summer Student
Conner Entenberg is a Sophomore at Somers High School and is currently enrolled in a 3-year science research program. He is expected to graduate in 2024. Currently, he is interested in learning about and understanding the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the immune system and its ability to fight infection and cancer. Besides scientific research, his interests include music, acting, law, and history.