Dr. Ira Tabas is a distinguished molecular biologist and leading authority in cardiovascular metabolism research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He currently serves as the Richard J. Stock Professor and Vice-Chair of Research in the Department of Medicine while also holding professorships in Pathology & Cell Biology and Physiology and Cellular Biophysics. After earning both his medical degree and doctorate in biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, he completed his clinical training in internal medicine and endocrinology at Columbia University Medical Center where he concurrently pursued postdoctoral research in Alan Tall's laboratory. Dr. Tabas began his independent scientific career at Columbia in 1985 and has since established himself as a prominent figure in the field of molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Dr. Tabas's pioneering research has significantly advanced understanding of the cellular biology of advanced atherosclerotic plaque progression, particularly focusing on the molecular mechanisms and consequences of macrophage apoptosis and phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells in advanced lesions. His laboratory made the notable discovery of a critical link between the PERK/CHOP branch of the unfolded protein response and a calcium-induced apoptosis pathway involving the ER calcium-release channel IP3R, the calcium-sensitive protein kinase CaMKII, and the oxidative stress-generating enzyme NADPH. He has also identified how a calcium-IP3R-CaMKII pathway plays a key role in glucagon-mediated excessive hepatic glucose production, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and dyslipidemia in obesity and type 2 diabetes. To translate these discoveries into potential therapies, Dr. Tabas developed innovative nanoparticles that encapsulate and release inflammation-resolving peptide drugs, which can selectively target tissue injury sites and release therapeutics in a controlled manner over time.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Tabas has held significant leadership positions including his current role as Vice-Chair of Research in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University, where he shapes the institution's research direction. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award, the Columbia University Doctor Harold and Golden Lamport Research Award, and the American Heart Association/ATVB Council Special Recognition Award. As a Harrington Scholar-Innovator in 2015, he has advanced a promising therapeutic approach targeting a pathway common to both diabetes and atherosclerosis, demonstrating his commitment to translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications. Dr. Tabas continues to lead a vibrant research program focused on developing novel treatments for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, maintaining his position at the forefront of molecular medicine while mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists.
