Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., professor of medicine and of pathology at Einstein, has been named the Eleazar and Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine at the College of Medicine. 

Sanjeev Gupta, M.D.The awarding of Dr. Gupta with the Reicher Chair recognizes his innovative cell-therapy research.  A pioneer in translational technologies, Dr. Gupta is developing cell transplantation strategies that include stem cells, which requires turning such cells into cells with appropriate functions. By analyzing the activities of cells transplanted into the liver, Dr. Gupta and his team gain insights into the molecular interactions that affect the replacement of diseased cells; these studies will ultimately reveal which liver cell types and the kinds of  manipulations that would most likely repopulate a damaged liver.

"Sanjeev's innovative approach, utilizing technologies from the laboratory to develop therapies for patients, holds great promise for individuals with liver disorders and other diseases," says Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein. "As a physician-scientist, he represents the excellence we seek in both basic and clinical explorations that are the foundation of our translational medicine program at Einstein."

While part of Dr. Gupta's research is also aimed at developing animal models of human disease, he seeks to translate basic research findings into applications for humans.  The goal of his work is to develop new therapies for treating a variety of liver and other disorders, including hepatitis, as well as metabolic and genetic diseases.

The Reicher Chair is named for the parents of the late Dr. Jacob Reicher, who was interested in medical research. The establishment of the Reicher Chair is part of a larger bequest to Einstein for medical research from the Jacob and Gertrude Reicher Family Estate; other uses of this investment will be announced at a later date.

On being named the first holder of the Reicher Chair, Dr. Gupta remarked, "This gift truly represents the generosity of the American spirit, and will reinvigorate our efforts in translating research findings for people with various diseases. I couldn't be more excited, and am most grateful to the Reichers for their foresight in providing funding for research through their estate, as well as to the College of Medicine for recognizing my work with this honor."

A native of India, Dr. Gupta arrived at Einstein in 1987 as a senior fellow in the hepatology unit.  He was named assistant professor of medicine just two years later, and was promoted to professor of medicine in 1998 and of pathology in 2000.  Dr. Gupta also is currently director of translational technologies in the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center. He has served on a number of editorial boards as well as numerous committees and panels of NIH and international scientific bodies, and has lectured widely throughout the world.

Dr. Gupta received his medical degree from Sardar Patel Medical College of the University of Rajasthan, in India.  He completed his internal medicine residency training at the prestigious Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh, India, and trained in gastroenterology at Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, in London, after which he trained in hepatology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles.