Our Team

 

Leigh Goedeke, PhD

Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator

Dr. Leigh Goedeke is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology and Endocrinology) and is a member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) and Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute (DOMI) at ISMMS. She received her B.S. in Biology from Gettysburg College in 2005 and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from NYU School of Medicine in 2009. Under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Fernández-Hernando, her graduate work focused on identifying and characterizing novel miRNAs and genes involved in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. In 2016, Dr. Goedeke joined the lab of Dr. Gerald Shulman at Yale School of Medicine, where she applied stable isotope tracer methodology to understand how alterations in substrate utilization contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes. She used similar approaches to determine the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial uncoupling agents to reverse metabolic syndrome in rodents and non-human primates, and now consults on their use for the treatment of cardiometabolic disease.

Dr. Goedeke joined the CVRI in April 2022. Her research focuses on understanding how altered mitochondrial metabolism contributes to residual cardiovascular disease risk. Using a combination of in vivo physiology, molecular biology, stable isotope tracer methodology and integrative multi-omics, her laboratory investigates the fundamental mechanisms by which metabolic changes influence gene expression, cell function, and disease outcomes.

Current Lab Members

  • Niki Brisnovali | Graduate Student

    Niki is originally from Queens, New York. She obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry from The City College of New York in 2021 and M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine from Imperial College London in 2022. Under the mentorship of Dr. Elina Akalestou at Imperial College, she investigated potential underlying mechanisms driving T2D remission post-bariatric surgery via a kidney-adipose tissue axis. Using human kidney cells, she investigated the effect of adipokines on renal glucose reabsorption. Niki joined the Goedeke Lab within the CVRI at Mount Sinai as a Research Associate in 2022 and later, as a graduate student in 2024. She is interested in using her background in molecular biology and in vivo experience to investigate novel metabolic hubs and their potential role in the development of atherosclerosis. In her free time, she enjoys long-distance cycling and traveling.

  • Myles Coven | Volunteer Research Assistant

    Myles is from Manhattan, New York and currently attends Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences. He is most interested in cardiovascular disease with a particular interest in atherosclerosis. Myles developed an interest in atherosclerosis after seeing a coronary angiogram in the catheterization laboratory and wondering why this disease could not be reversed or prevented. Myles joined the lab in January of 2023 as a high-school research volunteer and continues to volunteer as an undergraduate during winter and summer breaks. His favorite activities include playing the piano, playing tennis, and learning Latin.

  • Anastasia Brisnovali | Volunteer Research Assistant

    Anastasia is originally from Queens, New York. She is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences at Hunter College. Eager to deepen her understanding of animal physiology, she joined the Goedeke Lab in 2024 to gain hands-on research experience and expand her knowledge in the field. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering at animal shelters and traveling. 

  • Zoey Wang | Volunteer Research Assistant

    Zoey is from Scarsdale, New York, and currently attends Edgemont Junior/Senior High School. She has a strong interest in cardiology and hopes to pursue a career in cardiac pathology. Zoey joined the Goedeke Lab in 2025 to gain hands-on research experience and deepen her understanding of cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. She is interested in how molecular and metabolic pathways affect disease progression and hopes this experience will help her build a strong foundation to support her passions and future interests while contributing to ongoing research. Outside the lab, Zoey enjoys playing volleyball and running.

Past Lab Members

  • William Ephraim Hathaway | Volunteer Research Assistant 2022-2023

    • Current position: Medical Student, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra

  • Wiam Abdalla Mohamme Madani | Research Associate 2022-2023

    • Current position: Graduate Student, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences

  • Bernardo Gindri Dos Santos | Postdoctoral Fellow 2023-2025

    • Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

  • Connor Haney | Volunteer Research Assistant 2023-2025

    • Current position: Masters Student, Boston University

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

 

Mitochondria are dynamic and diverse.

And so are we.

Original photo by: Morven Graham

The Goedeke Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment in which all ideas and identities are valued. We welcome and respect members of any age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, religion, race/ethnicity, disability status, or socioeconomic status. Scientific discoveries come from the integration of diverse perspectives, discussions, and ideas and we are committed to nurturing this type of environment.