Center for Surgical & Transplant Applied Research Team
The Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research (CSTAR) at NYU Langone is a team of leading surgeons, clinicians, statisticians, and population health experts who collaborate to lead innovative research that advances the field of transplantation medicine. Their work has helped patients across the world and has had a significant impact on national policy, increasing access to organ transplants and improving patient outcomes.
NYU Langone faculty and staff can access a range of resources provided by the Office of Science and Research, including guidance for submitting grants and research contracts.
Leadership and Core Faculty
The Leadership and Core Faculty shape CSTAR’s vision, mentor faculty and trainees, and lead pioneering research to transform transplant care, policy, and the patient experience.
Dorry L. Segev, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Surgery and Population Health
Vice Chair, Department of Surgery and the Surgical Sciences
Director, Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research (CSTAR)
Sommer E. Gentry, PhD
Professor, Department of Surgery and Population Health
Co-Director, Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research (CSTAR)
Director, CSTAR Operations Research Core
Mara A. McAdams DeMarco, PhD
Professor, Department of Surgery and Population Health
Associate Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery
Director, CSTAR EASE Lab
Macey L. Levan, JD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery and Population Health
Director of Policy and External Affairs, Transplant Institute
Director, CSTAR Qualitative Core
Allan B. Massie, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Population Health
Director, CSTAR Quantitative Core
Sunjae Bae, MD, PhD
Karan Chhabra, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery and Population Health
Barbara E. Coons, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Syed A. Husain, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Brendan Keating, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Transplantation and Institute of Systems Genetics
Byoungjun Kim, MUP, PHD
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Bonnie E. Lonze, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
Director, Research, NYU Langone Transplant Institute
Director, Incompatible Kidney Transplant Program
Michal A. Mankowski, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Babak J. Orandi, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
Rhiannon D. Reed, DrPH, MPH
Research Assistant Professor
Manu Varma, D.O.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Carolyn Sidoti, BS
Operations Manager, Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research
Darren Stewart, MS
Associate Director, Registry Studies
Epidemiology of Aging Studies in End-Stage Kidney Disease Staff
Led by Dr. Mara McAdams DeMarco, the EASE Lab focuses on understanding the causes, patters, and effects of aging on the development and progression of end stage kidney disease (ESKD). They apply epidemiological methods to study these aspects, aiming to improve outcomes for individuals with ESKD.
Vanessa Cooper, BS
Research Associate
Chenxi Gao, MHS
Data Analyst
Nidhi Ghildayal, PhD, MPH
Senior Research Scientist
Martin I. Garcia Mayorga, BS
Research Associate
Tishmattie Gopal, BS
Research Associate
Jingyao Hong, MHS
Senior Data Analyst
Nancy (Nan-Su) Huang, MHS
Data Analyst
Gisela Ismaili, BA
Research Associate
Tecla Mafa, BS
Research Associate
Natalia Martinez-Lopez, MPA
Research Project Manager
Gayathri Menon, MHS
Senior Data Analyst
Ilana Mittleman, MPH
Research Program Manager
Hrishikesh Sathyamoorthy, ScM
Data Analyst
Emma Silvera, BA
Research Associate
Natalie Strohmayer, MPH
Data Analyst
Carly Weaver, CCRP
Research Program Manager
Quantitative Core Staff
Led by Dr. Allan Massie, The CSTAR Quantitative Core provides expertise in advanced statistical analysis, epidemiology, and data science to support rigorous transplantation research. The Core offers consultation on study design, analytic strategies, and the use of large national datasets to generate high-quality evidence. By applying innovative quantitative methods—ranging from survival analysis and risk modeling to causal inference and predictive analytics—the Core helps investigators answer critical questions about outcomes, access, and system performance. Its work ensures that CSTAR studies are methodologically sound, reproducible, and impactful in shaping clinical practice and policy.
Teresa Po-Yu Chiang, MD, MPH
Senior Data Analyst
Neha Dagaonkar, MS, MIDP
Research Project Manager
Tanveen Ishaque, ScM, MBBS
Senior Data Analyst
Yuki Low, MS
Data Analyst
Suhani Patel, MPH
Research Analyst
Kelly Terlizzi, MS
Data Analyst
Madhur Thakur, MS
Data Analyst
Alvin Thomas, PhD, MSPH
Senior Research Scientist
Ruiqi Xue, MS
Data Analyst
Leila Yan, BA
Data Analyst
Laura Zeiser, ScM
Data Analyst
Qualitative Core Staff
Under the direction of Dr. Macey Levan, The CSTAR Qualitative Core provides expert support in the design and execution of qualitative research to better understand the experiences, perspectives, and decision-making of patients, donors, families, and healthcare providers. The Core offers consultation on study design, development of interview and focus group guides, data collection, coding, and thematic analysis. By integrating rigorous qualitative methods into transplantation research, the Core helps investigators capture the human and organizational dimensions that quantitative data alone cannot provide, ultimately strengthening the relevance and impact of CSTAR’s work.
Jasmine Akhtar, BS
Research Program Coordinator
Amanda Buster
Associate Research Coordinator
Tessa Flower, BS
Research Program Coordinator
Katya Kaplow, MPH
Senior Data Analyst
Samantha Klitenic, JD
Assistant Research Scientist
Jennifer Lau, MPH
Research Project Manager
Karen B. Vanterpool, PhD, MPH
Senior Research Scientist
Bola Yusuf, MBBS, MPH
Data Analyst
Operations Research Core Staff
Led by Dr. Sommer Gentry, The CSTAR Operations Research Core focuses on applying advanced quantitative, mathematical, and systems science approaches to study the performance, efficiency, and equity of the organ donation and transplantation system. This Core supports projects using simulation modeling, optimization, and data-driven decision analytics to evaluate allocation policies, logistical processes, and program-level strategies. By leveraging operations research, the Core generates insights that guide policy, improve system performance, and support evidence-based decision-making across the national transplant system.
Daniyar Akizhanov, BA
Data Analyst
Najiya Fatma, PhD
Assistant Research Scientist
Bayzhan Mukatay, BS
Data Analyst
Jasir Nawar
Research Data Associate
Trainees
Piyawat Kantagowit, MD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Meghan Meridith, PhD
Malika Wilson, MD MBA
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ashley Xu, PhD, BSN, RN
Conor Donnelly, MD
Surgical Resident
Vilcek MD/PhD Graduate Resident
Luckmini Liyanage, MD
Surgical Resident
Vilcek MD/PhD Graduate Resident
Jane Long
Surgical Resident
Vilcek MD/PhD Graduate Resident
Jennifer Motter, MHS
Senior Data Analyst
Vilcek MD/PhD Graduate Resident
Shivani Bisen, BA
Medical Student
Pedro Colon, BS
Medical Student
Ian S. Jaffe
Medical Student
Jonah Klapholz
Medical Student
Chelsea Cromwell
DURI Research Fellow
Sophia Gunawan
DURI Research Fellow
Steve Wall Lab
Under the direction and direct support of Dr. Stephen Wall, this team conducts research with a focus on critical organ donor shortages and improving resuscitation outcomes, enhancing resuscitation techniques and increasing organ donation opportunities.
Alexia Libretti, MPH
Associate Research Coordinator
Jan Osea, MPA-HPAM
Research Project Manager
Betania Ramirez, BS
Associate Research Coordinator
Ruth Remedios, BS
Associate Research Coordinator
Stephanie Spivak, BS
Associate Research Coordinator
Julia Villani, BS
Associate Research Coordinator
Collaborating Faculty
At NYU Langone Health, CSTAR collaborating faculty contribute their expertise across disciplines to strengthen the center’s research and training efforts in transplantation. These faculty members partner closely with CSTAR’s scientific cores, bringing additional perspectives in clinical care, health services research, biostatistics, qualitative methods, and policy. Their involvement expands the breadth of CSTAR’s work while fostering a collaborative environment within NYU that supports innovative studies, mentorship opportunities, and the development of future leaders in transplantation science.
Luis Angel, MD
Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Medical Director, Lung Transplantation
Justin Chan, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Surgical Director, ECMO Program
Stephanie Chang, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Surgical Director, Lung Transplantation Program
Josef Coresh, MD, PhD
Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health, Department of Population Health
Professor, Department of Medicine
Cristina Gonzalez, MD
Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Associate Director, Medical Education, Institute for Excellence in Health Equity (IEHE)
Co- Director, (Medical Education), Beyond Bridges
Morgan Grams, MD, PhD
Susan and Morris Mark Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine
Professor, Department of Population Health
Natasha Gupta, MD
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Urology
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Adam Griesemer, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Surgical Director, Pediatric Transplant
Surgical Director, Living Donor Liver Transplant Program
Surgical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program
Marlena Habal, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Karim Halazun, MD
Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Section Chief, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Surgical Director, Adult Liver Transplant Program
Brock Hewitt, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Laura L. Kimberly, PhD, MSW, MBE
Assistant Professor, Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Massimo Mangiola, PhD
Transplant Institute
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pathology
Ofole Mgbako, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Nader Moazami, MD
George E. Reed Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Associate Program Director, Thoracic Surgery - Integrated Residency Program and Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
Chief, Division of Heart and Lung Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support
Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil
H. Leon Pachter, MD Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Chair, Department of Surgery
Director, NYU Langone Transplant Institute
Jake Natalini, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Associate Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program
Brendan Parent, JD
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Director, Transplant Ethics and Policy Group
Greg Sacks, MD, PhD, MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Jeffrey Stern, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Associate Director, Comprehensive Transfer Center
Vasishta Tatapudi, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Medical Director, Immunogenetics Lab
Program Director, Transplant Nephrology Fellowship
Manu Varma, D.O.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Stephen Wall, MD
Associate Professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Population Health
Faculty Collaborator, Institute for Excellence in Health Equity
Brian Wayda, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Administration
CSTAR’s Administration team oversees daily operations, coordinating research staff, maintaining institutional compliance, and supporting large-scale registry studies. Their leadership is vital to keeping the center productive and efficient.
Nicholas Dibble, MBA
Administrator, Department of Surgery
Johanna Paguay, MA
Administrative Coordinator