The partnership merges clinical expertise with genetic discoveries to tackle aggressive brain cancer with new therapeutic strategies
Northwell Health today announced that Ethan Ertel, an MD/PhD student from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, will join Northwell and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) teams to conduct pivotal glioblastoma research. Mr. Ertel will contribute to the collaborative laboratory overseen by Northwell’s John Boockvar, MD, and CSHL’s Alea Mills, PhD, to investigate novel therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. This unique opportunity is made possible through generous annual funding from the Head for the Cure Foundation, underscoring a shared commitment to accelerating breakthroughs in neuro-oncology.
Integrating top-tier programs and collaboration for glioblastoma innovation
The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is recognized among the nation’s top medical schools for research by U.S. News & World Report. Contributing to its robust research environment and overall success are its distinctive MD/PhD and PhD programs, specifically designed to immerse students in the study of human disease, translational research and the direct application of scientific discoveries to clinical practice. This unique approach is made possible by the school’s exclusive partnership with Northwell, the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, offering students access to a vast clinical and research environment, diverse patient populations and state-of-the-art facilities.
“We are incredibly proud of Ethan’s achievement in being selected to collaborate with Northwell Health and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, with funding from the Head for the Cure Foundation for critical glioblastoma research,” said David L. Battinelli, MD, the Deborah and Lawrence Smith Dean of the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and executive vice president and physician-in-chief of Northwell. “This recognition highlights not only his great potential as a future physician-scientist leader, but also our institution’s commitment to impactful research that improves health care worldwide.”
Mr. Ertel’s appointment strengthens the powerful affiliation between Northwell and CSHL, which unites clinical expertise with cutting-edge biomedical research to deliver new hope for patients with complex neurological conditions. His work will delve into understanding the genetic pathways crucial in cancer and identifying aberrations that drive human disease. Dr. Boockvar, a neurosurgeon and innovator in therapeutic delivery, has pioneered advanced techniques to disrupt the blood-brain barrier, enhancing the delivery of life-saving treatments to malignant brain tumors and spinal cancers.
Dr. Mills, an expert in genetic pathways, has recently uncovered critical insights into glioblastoma, including how a protein called BRD8 can block the tumor-suppressing function of P53 – a discovery that marks a monumental step in identifying potential targets for therapy.
“The collaboration between Northwell and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is designed to foster these types of groundbreaking opportunities,” said John Boockvar, MD, vice chair of neurosurgery at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, professor of neurosurgery at the Zucker School of Medicine, and an investigator at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. “Ethan’s placement on our teams to explore new glioblastoma therapeutics gives us the potential to bring sophisticated new treatments from the lab bench to the patients who desperately need them.”
Fostering the next generation of physician-scientists
This initiative highlights the growing collaboration between researchers and clinicians, a bridge essential for transforming fundamental biology breakthroughs into medical procedures. With millions affected by brain cancer and other neurological diseases, the pursuit of novel therapeutic options is paramount.
“We are excited to welcome Ethan Ertel, an aspiring physician-scientist, to our lab, knowing his unique MD/PhD perspective will be invaluable in propelling our glioblastoma research forward,” said Dr. Mills. “The investment and exceptional Northwell partnership, underscores what’s possible in the pursuit of cutting-edge genetic discoveries and translating them into novel therapeutic avenues for patients battling such aggressive cancers.”
The funding from the Head for the Cure Foundation is instrumental in empowering the next generation of scientific leaders like Mr. Ertel to advance this critical work.
“It is an immense privilege to join Drs. Boockvar and Mills and contribute to the vital research aimed at combating glioblastoma,” said Mr. Ertel. “This opportunity represents the very essence of translational science – bridging the gap between fundamental discoveries and life-changing treatments for patients. As an MD/PhD student, I am dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in neuro-oncology, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to make a tangible impact.”