Ellen Sidransky, MD
Chief, Section on Molecular Neurogenetics MGB,
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health Bld
35 Room 1E–623 35 Convent Drive, MSC 3708
Bethesda, MD 20894-3708
Phone: (301) 451-0901 or (301) 496-0373
Fax: (301) 402-6438
Email: sidranse@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Sidransky’s Early Career
Dr. Ellen Sidransky received her BA in biology from Brandeis University and MD from Tulane University. She then trained in pediatrics at Children’s Memorial Hospital/Northwestern University, later working for several years as a pediatrician in Israel. She received her fellowship training in clinical genetics at the Medical Genetics Training Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Sidransky’s Professional Roles
Dr. Sidransky has been a tenured investigator at NIH since 2000 and holds positions that include:
- Captain in the research officers group of the U.S. Public Health Service
- Chief of the section of molecular neurogenetics
- Pediatrician and clinical geneticist in the medical genetics branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute
- Adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
- Medical director of the John Hopkins/NIH Genetic Counseling Training Program
Dr. Sidransky’s Research
Dr. Sidransky’s research encompasses clinical and basic research aspects of Gaucher disease. Her research includes studies of the genetic role in Gaucher disease as well as the development of new treatment strategies for lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs).
She recognized the association between Gaucher disease and Parkinson disease, organizing three NIH conferences on the topic. She spearheaded studies on Gaucher mutations in patients with Parkinson disease and in patients with Lewy body dementia. Her work resulted in widespread recognition of these associations.
Dr. Sidransky’s current work focuses on what drives the association between Gaucher disease and Parkinson. She also investigates the development of small molecule chaperones as a therapy for Gaucher disease and related disorders. Dr. Sidransky has authored more than 200 publications and directs 2 NIH programs. These programs focus on patients with LSDs as well as patients and relatives with Parkinson disease who have Gaucher gene mutations.
