David J. Simon, PhD

Overview

The Simon laboratory studies how individual neurons, unlike almost all other cell types in the body, survive for a lifetime. The lab asks how insults such as genetic mutation, injury or inflammation disrupt these survival programs to promote neurodegeneration. The lab also employs a range of molecular and biochemical techniques with the ultimate goals of understanding the molecular basis of neurodegeneration and identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Highlights

1
Cell reports · 2024
TLTingting LiuMIMichael IskolsDJDavid J. Simon
PMID: 38310514PMCID: PMC11463236DOISenior author10 citations
2
Neuron · 2026
TLTingting LiuEEEthan EarlieMIMichael IskolsSRShakti RamsamoojDJDavid J. Simon
PMID: 42061411PMCID: PMC13220253DOISenior author9 citations
3
Developmental cell · 2021
DJDavid J. Simon
PMID: 33823136PMCID: PMC8034543DOIFirst author9 citations

Publications

27

Funding

7 View NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

4 grants

PI
Axonal Control of Tumor Progression
National Cancer Institute · 2026–2031
R01CA311807-01
PI
The role of axon pruning in neurodevelopmental disorders
The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation · 2023–2026
HLMF 232106-03
PI
Neural regulation of tumorigenesis
Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance · 2023–2026
PPSSCRA 230281-03
MPI
Cross-talk between sarmoptosis and ferroptosis in hemorrhagic stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2025–2026 · via Winifred Masterson Burke Medical Research
R01NS140765-01A1

Completed grants (3)

PI
Role of Axon Remodeling in the Behavioral Response to Sensory Input
Whitehall Foundation, Inc. · 2020–2023
WF 204898-03
PI
Neural regulation of cancer
Feldstein Medical Foundation, Inc. · 2022–2023
FMF 223905-01
PI
Addgene 698859
Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
Addgene 698859

News mentions

3 View all WCM news ↗

Nerves in Skin Can Slow Melanoma Growth
April 29, 2026
Nerve fibers within melanomas can slow the growth of these tumors, according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
Dr. David Simon Wins Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research Studying Melanoma
May 16, 2023
Dr. David Simon, the Fernholz Foundation Research Scholar in Neuroscience and an assistant professor of biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medicine, was awarded the 2023 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research on May 16.
Weill Cornell Medicine Investigators Receive Awards from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
November 6, 2020
Five Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have received funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) for their research in inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders.

Mentoring

6 All publications with mentees →