Publications:52
Merina T Varghese, PhD
About Me
Dr. Merina Varghese is an Assistant Professor in the Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and the Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease. Her research seeks to reveal how the molecular and morphological features defining types, states, and microenvironment of cells drive regional vulnerability of neurons to aging and neuropsychiatric diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Her approach combines deep expertise in disease biology with novel tools for spatial imaging of proteins and metabolites to discover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Before joining the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she completed her postdoctoral training here in the Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, investigating metabolic and synaptic changes underlying regional vulnerability to disease in transgenic rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. During her Ph.D. training in Jadavpur University, India, she studied the role of mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease using an in vitro model. For more information, visit the Varghese lab website.
Language
English
Position
ADJUNCT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Research Topics
Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, Brain, Cell Biology, Cerebral Cortex, Morphometrics, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Synapses
Multi-Disciplinary Training Areas
Neuroscience [NEU]
Education
PhD, Jadavpur University
Research
Dr. Varghese's research aims to understand the pathological and morphological changes in cells of the brain in aging and in neuropsychiatric diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and epilepsy.
Publications
Selected Publications
- Basic Science and Pathogenesis. Alec K. McKendell, Elizabeth McDonough, Lisa Lowery, Samantha Abate, Daniel Meyer, Jennifer Luebke, Patrick R. Hof, Merina Varghese. Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Basic Science and Pathogenesis. Sam E. Gandy, Emilie L. Castranio, Merina Varghese, Elentina K. Argyrousi, Kuldeep Tripathi, Linda Söderberg, Erin Bresnahan, David Lerner, Francesca Garretti, Hong Zhang, Jonathan Van de Loo, Ronan Talty, Charles G. Glabe, Efrat Levy, Minghui Wang, Bin Zhang, Lars Lannfelt, William D. Lubell, Brigitte Guerin, Shai Rahimipour, Dara Dickstein, Ottavio Arancio, Michelle E. Ehrlich. Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Proteomic features of gray matter layers and superficial white matter of the rhesus monkey neocortex: comparison of prefrontal area 46 and occipital area 17. Paola B. Castro-Mendoza, Christina M. Weaver, Wayne Chang, Maria Medalla, Kathleen S. Rockland, Lisa Lowery, Elizabeth McDonough, Merina Varghese, Patrick R. Hof, Dan E. Meyer, Jennifer I. Luebke. Brain Structure and Function
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Varghese during 2024 and/or 2025. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Board Service
- Keystone for Incubating Innovation in Life sciences Network (KiiLN)
Editorial Services
- Elsevier
Founder/Co-Founder/Partner
- Keystone for Incubating Innovation in Life sciences Network (KiiLN)
Mount Sinai’s faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.