Marla Keller, M.D., a national leader in academic medicine and in clinical and translational research and training, has been appointed executive dean at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In this role, Dr. Keller will work closely with Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein, other executive leaders at the College of Medicine and Montefiore, and the Board of Trustees to achieve the vision for the institution. As Einstein’s second most senior officer, she will drive strategic planning for the College of Medicine and provide guidance across all academic and research programs.

La Dra. Keller ha prestado servicios a Einstein con gran distinción durante los últimos 17 años. Actualmente es directora del Instituto Harold y Muriel Block para la Investigación Clínica y Traslacional, financiado por los NIH, en Einstein y Montefiore, y decana adjunta interina de investigación clínica y traslacional. Anteriormente se desempeñó como vicepresidenta de investigación en el departamento de medicina.

“Dr. Keller’s accomplishments at Montefiore Einstein and on the national stage have clearly demonstrated her effective and collaborative leadership, research and administrative acumen and dedication to innovation,” said Dr. Tomer, who is also chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein. “Her appointment is a crucial step in moving Einstein forward into a new era of excellence and ensuring the ongoing success of our enterprise.”

El Dr. Keller fue seleccionado por un comité de búsqueda después de una exhaustiva búsqueda interna. Asumirá su nuevo cargo el 1 de julio de 2024, sucediendo al Dr. Edward R. Burns, quien ha brindado un liderazgo ejemplar y firme en este puesto desde 2000.

Como decana ejecutiva, la Dra. Keller será responsable de respaldar la investigación clínica, traslacional y básica, así como las operaciones educativas y académicas. También dirigirá la iniciativa de investigación, brindando orientación y recursos para la educación y la capacitación en investigación, fomentando nuevas iniciativas y colaboraciones de investigación interdisciplinarias e implementando todas las regulaciones y políticas. Trabajará en estrecha colaboración con los jefes de departamento y los directores de los centros para financiar e impulsar nuevas investigaciones, reclutar, retener y asesorar estratégicamente al personal docente, y ampliar las oportunidades de descubrimiento científico con la oficina de biotecnología y desarrollo comercial.

Dr. Keller’s accomplishments at Montefiore Einstein and on the national stage have clearly demonstrated her effective and collaborative leadership, research and administrative acumen.

Dean Yaron Tomer, MD

“Guided by Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s transformative gift and a new strategic plan, I will work tirelessly with Dean Tomer, his leadership team, department chairs, and center directors to enhance basic science and clinical research, improve research operations, integrate Einstein’s and Montefiore’s clinical and translational research programs, and bolster our education initiatives,” said Dr. Keller. 

As vice chair of research for the department of medicine, Dr. Keller oversaw a robust research portfolio of more than 100 principal investigators. NIH funding increased significantly and a formal research compensation plan was developed for the department. She streamlined research operations, increasing the number of clinical trials to more than 200 across 14 divisions. One of her most important initiatives was creating a physician-scientist pathway to support faculty in becoming independently funded investigators.

A nivel nacional, se desempeñó como miembro del panel de pautas de tratamiento del VIH del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de EE. UU. y del panel de pautas de tratamiento de COVID-19 de los NIH, ayudando a dar forma a los protocolos para el país. Es miembro de la Sociedad Estadounidense de Enfermedades Infecciosas y miembro de la Asociación Médica del VIH.

Dr. Keller’s research has focused on prevention of HIV using biomedical interventions, improving cervical cancer screening practices, and the treatment of COVID-19, resulting in nearly 100 publications.

After earning an M.D. from New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Keller completed an internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and an infectious diseases fellowship at Beth Israel/Brigham & Women’s Hospital combined program. She was recruited to Montefiore Einstein in 2007 after spending nine years on the faculty at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

“The executive dean position requires leadership, sensitivity, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and dedication and I am confident, given her abilities and experience, that Dr. Keller will excel in her new role,” said Dr. Tomer.