Research
Science has always been my passion, focusing on innovative and creative methodologies. My research involves the emerging field of translational genomics, taking the application of big data and genetic underpinnings of complex disorders like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease to find novel clinical targets, therapies, and biomarkers.
I want to pursue translational genomics, using pharmacogenetic and environmental interactions to create personalized medicine-based therapies and treatments to combat and prevent disease.
Turning basic research into actual improvements in public health care is central to my goal; to take basic research findings to early clinical investigation with an eye towards public health and disease through team leadership and scientific communication.
My previous work was with the International Age-related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium and involved pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine studies. I’m also involved, under Prof. Haines, in CADRE, as well as the ADGC and ADSP for Alzheimer Disease research.
I continue to mentor women and others from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve academic and personal successes.
Feel free to contact me at michelle.grunin@gmail.com.
Position
I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the lab of Prof. Shai Carmi, associate professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. I am also a current collaborator with the Haines Lab at Case Western Reserve University. I am a current BrightFocus Postdoctoral Fellow in Macular Degeneration Research.
I was formerly a Postdoctoral Researcher at Case Western Reserve University, in the laboratory of Prof. Jonathan L. Haines, PhD, Director of the Institute for Computational Biology of Cleveland, Chair of the PQHS Dept, Mary W. Sheldon MD Professor of Genomic Sciences.
I performed my PhD via Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in the laboratory of Prof. Itay Chowers, MD, Chairman of Ophthalmology at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center.
Publications
In the News
“Prof. Itay Chowers, head of Hadassah’s Department of Ophthalmology, and Michelle Grunin… identified genetic factors that are associated with variability in response to a particular type of therapy for patients with nAMD.”
- Article on Hadassah International
“In the battle against the medical condition known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Dr. Michelle Grunin, a graduate of Lander College for Arts and Sciences (LAS) in Flatbush, is busy fighting in the trenches.”
- Article on Touro LAS Website Featured
- Ten Years of Baroness Ariane de Rothschild Women Doctoral Students Feature
-Article featured in the Daily at CWRU on the paper co-first authored with Andrea Waksmunski
- Bright Focus Fellowship Biography
- Unorthoboxed Cover Feature
Baroness Ariane de Rothschild Woman Doctoral Fellow Recipient : minute 3:40