Member SpotlightsFusing Genetics with Development Randy Levinson, Ph.D. A Member Since January 1998  In his study of embryonic kidney development at Columbia University in New York, Randy Levinson, Ph.D. employs innovative technologies such as DNA microarrays and molecular imaging in his quest to identify genetic factors important in kidney morphogenesis. As he finishes up his fellowship, Dr. Levinson has applied for a Research Career Award (K01) from the National Institutes of Health. If granted, this award will provide up to five years of support and help him transition into an academic, tenure-track position. Growing up in South Florida, Dr. Levinson’s natural proclivity for solving puzzles combined with his interest in technology propelled him to study both math and science during his formative years. He was fortunate to attend a summer science program at Harvard University for talented high school students and during this program he developed a keen appreciation for the discovery process. In a desire to experience living in a different part of the country, he left Florida for California to attend the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena where he earned an undergraduate degree in biology. Starting as a freshman at Caltech, Dr. Levinson was able to work in a laboratory where he was exposed to the scientific mindset and lifestyle. In addition to appreciating the thrill of experimentation, the collegiality he observed and the ability to travel to conferences were very appealing to him. He realized early on during his college years that he wanted to become a scientist. After graduating from Caltech, Dr. Levinson obtained his Ph.D from the University of California, San Francisco. He liked the culture aspects of living in a major city, and the graduate program itself had outstanding academic breadth. He did his graduate work in the lab of Dr. Keith Yamamoto, whose focus involves understanding the function of the glucocorticoid receptor and its role in regulated transcription. Using a yeast model system, he genetically identified and characterized a novel protein, Swp73p, that is part of a complex of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling during transcription. While exciting, Dr. Levinson thought that the transcription field was too crowded for him to make it the sole focus of his scientific career. Since he had become interested in conducting more physiological experiments and mammalian development was becoming a hot field, he decided to fuse his interest in genetics with development. He began his postdoctoral fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and is currently completing it at Columbia University. He has devoted his efforts to understanding the role renal stromal cells play in orchestrating kidney development and ultimately, function. Using the stromal-specific marker Brain Factor-2 (BF-2, but now known as Foxd1) Dr. Levinson is trying to identify the stromal-dependent signals that are important in directing proper kidney morphogenesis. When not conducting experiments, writing papers or applying for grants, Dr. Levinson and his wife pursue their love of food by trying out new recipes and exploring the culinary delights at New York’s and San Francisco’s finer restaurants. Dr. Levinson also enjoys playing softball and football in community leagues. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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