Mara Schvarzstein
Assistant Professor
Biology
Location: 508 Ingersoll Hall Extension
Phone: 718.951.5000 x3582
Fax: 718.951.4659
Email:
Mara Schvarzstein's Web site
Mara Schvarzstein obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in the Department of Molecular Genetics, where she investigated mechanisms of sexual fate specification and gonadogenesis using the C. elegans model organism. She continued her interest in sexual reproduction during her postdoctorate at Stanford University in the Department of Developmental Biology. At Stanford, she used C. elegans to investigate the regulation of several key steps in meiosis that are critical for accurate chromosome inheritance in oocytes, spermatocytes and the zygote. Schvarzstein arrived at Brooklyn College in 2014. The Schvarzstein lab focuses on uncovering mechanisms promoting accurate chromosome and centrosome inheritance in meiosis, and importantly, the consequences when errors in these mechanisms arise.
Education:
Postoctoral Fellow, Stanford University - 2013 (Developmental biology & Genetics)
Ph.D., University of Toronto - 2005 (Molecular and Medical Genetics)
M.Sc., University of Toronto - 1997 (Botany)
B.Sc., University of Toronto - 1995 (Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Pathology)
Areas of Expertise:
Mechanisms of chromosome inheritance in reproduction, development, and disease.
The laboratory aims to understand how chromosomes are inherited accurately from one generation to the next and to determine the consequences of cells getting abnormal number of chromosomes during division. Errors in chromosome number are a major cause of miscarriages and a driver of cancer. We utilize tinny laboratory model organism that recapitulates the basic function and dynamics seen in human cells.
Books and Publications
Murph, M., S. Singh, Schvarazstein M. "A combined in silico and in vivo approach to the structure-function annotation of SPD-2 provides mechanistic insight into its functional diversity." Cell Cycle (forthcoming, in press). (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2022
Clarke, E.K., K.A. Rivera-Gomez, Z. Mustachi, M.C. Murph, M. Schvarzstein. "Manipulation of Ploidy in Caenorhabditis Elegans." JoVe. 133. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018
Rivera Gomez, K.A., M. Schvarzstein. "Immobilization of Nematodes for Live Imaging Using an Agarose Pad Poduced with a Vinyl Record." microPublication Biology. 10.17912/QG0J-VT85. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018
Rivera-Gomez, K. A. and M. Schvarzstein*. "Immobilizing Nematodes for Live Imaging Using an Agarose Pad Generated With a Vinyl Record." The Worm Breeder's Gazette. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2017
Roelens B, M. Schvarzstein, A.M. Villeneuve "Manipulation of Karyotype in Caenorhabditis Elegans Reveals Multiple Inputs Driving Pairwise Chromosome Synapsis During Meiosis." Genetics . 201.4: 1363-79 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
Schvarzstein, M., D. Pattabiraman, D.E. Libuda, A. Ramadugu, A. Tam, E. Martinez-Perez, B. Rolelens, K.A. Zawadzki, R. Yokoo, S. Rosu, A.F. Severson, B.J. Meyer, K. Nabeshima and A.M. Villeneuve. "DNA Helicase HIM-6/BLM Both Promotes MutSγ-Dependent Crossovers and Antagonizes MutSγ-Independent Inter-Homolog Associations During Caenorhabditis elegans Meiosis." Genetics 114: 161513. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
Schvarzstein, M., D. Pattabiraman, J. Bembenek and A.M. Villeneuve. "Meiotic HORMA Domain Proteins Prevent Untimely Centriole Disengagement During C. Elegans Spermatocyte Meiosis." PNAS 110.10: E898-907. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2013
Henzel, J.V., K. Nabeshima, M. Schvarzstein, B.E. Turner, A.M. Villeneuve and K.J. Hillers. "Meiotic Behavior of an Asymetric Neo-Sex Bivalent in Caenorhabditis elegans." Genetics 187.3: 685-99. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2011
Schvarzstein, M., S.M. Wignall and A.M. Villeneuve. "Coordinating Cohesion, Coorientation and Congression During Meiosis: Lessons from Holocentric Chromosomes." Genes & Development 24.3: 219-28. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010
Gent, J.I., M. Schvarzstein, A.M. Villeneuve, Gu.S. Guoping, V. Jantsch, A.Z. Fire and A. Baudrimont. "A C. elegans RNA-directed RNA polymerase in sperm development and endogenous RNAi." Genetics 183.4: 1297-314. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
Martinez-Perez, E., M. Schvarzstein, C. Barroso, J. Lightfoot, A.F. Dernburg and A.M. Villeneuve. "Crossovers trigger a remodelling of meiotic chromosome axis composition that is linked to two-step loss of sister chromatid cohesion." Genes & Development 22.20: 2886-901. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2008
Starostina, N.G., J. Lim, M. Schvarzstein, L. Wells, A.M. Spence and E.T. Kipreos. "A CUL-2 ubiquitin ligase containing three FEM proteins degrades TRA-1 to regulate C. elegans sex determination." Developmental Cell 13.1: 127-39. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007
Schvarzstein, M. and A.M. Spence. "The C. elegans sex-determining GLI protein TRA-1A is regulated by sex-specific proteolysis." Developmental Cell 11.5: 733-40. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2006
Mathies, L.D., M. Schvarzstein, K.M. Morphy, R. Blelloch, A.M. Spence and J. Kimble. "TRA-1/GLI controls development of somatic gonadal precursors in C. elegans." Development 131: 4333-43. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2004
Nishiwaki, K., Y. Kubota, Y. Chigira, S.K. Roy, M. Suzuki, M. Schvarzstein, Y. Jigami, N. Hisamoto and K. Matsumoto. "An NDPase links ADAM protease glycosylation with organ morphogenesis in C. elegans." Natural Cell Biology 6: 31-37. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2004
Schvarzstein, M., A. Kirn, P. Haffter and S.P. Cordes. "Expression of Zkrml2, a homologue of the Krml1/val segmentation gene during embryonic patterning of the zebrafish (Danio rerio)." Mechanisms of Development 80.2: 223-26. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1999
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
PSC-CUNY Award B (Grants and Fellowships) 2022
Student Technology Fee Award (Brooklyn College 2017) (Grants and Fellowships) 2017
NIH 1SC2GM118275-01. (2016 - 2019) (Grants and Fellowships) 2016
PSC-CUNY Award B (Grants and Fellowships) 2015
Faculty of 1000 Biology publication recommendations:
- Schvarzstein M. et. al. (2013). PNAS. 110(10): 898-907. (Awards and Honors) 2013
Canadian Institute of Health Research postdoctoral fellowship. (2008-2011) (Awards and Honors) 2008
Dean's Postdoctoral Award, Stanford University. (Awards and Honors) 2007
Faculty of 1000 Biology publication recommendations:
- Starostina, N.G., Lim JM, Schvarzstein M, et. al. (2007). Dev. Cell. 13(1): 127-139.
(Awards and Honors) 2007
Genetics Society of America DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development. (Awards and Honors) 2007
Dean's Postdoctoral Award, Stanford University. (Awards and Honors) 2006
Faculty of 1000 Biology publication recommendations:- Schvarzstein M. and Spence A.M., (2006). Dev. Cell. 11(5): 733-740. (Awards and Honors) 2006
Ontario Graduate Student Scholarship 1999/2001, provincial competitive graduate student award (Awards and Honors) 2001
Ontario Graduate Student Award in Science and Technology, awarded by provincial industries (Awards and Honors) 1999
Ontario Graduate Student Scholarship, provincial competitive graduate student award (Awards and Honors) 1999
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
"Effects of Polyploidization" Rowan University SOM, Stratford, N.J. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
"My Unique Career Path and Science Program" University of California Santa Cruz Women In Molecular Biology Coffee Hour Seminars. Santa-Cruz, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
"Polyploidy and Cancer: Can a Worm Help Find New Cancer Diagnosis or Treatment?" CUNY Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
"Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During Male Meiosis." University of Delaware, Newark, Del. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2020
"Effects of Polyploidy in C. Elegans" Society for Developmental Biology 79th Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2020
"Effects of Polyploidy in C. Elegans." The Allied Genetics Conference. Virtual Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2020
"Establishing C. Elegans as The First Laboratory Model for Whole Organism Polyploidization and its Consequences." 22nd International C. Elegans Conference. Los Angeles. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
"Mechanisms and Consequences of Inheritance of Uncommon Number of Chromosomes." Wesleyan University. Middletown, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
"Tales From an Animal Laboratory Model System for Polyploidy and Allometric Relationships." Society for Developmental Biology 78th Annual Meeting. Boston. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
"A Method to Generate Polyploid C. Elegans to Study the Effects of Polyploidization." The Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University. New York (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
"Role of Polyploidization in Cancer." CUNY Graduate Center. New York City (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
"Causes and Consequences of Inheriting Abnormal Numbers of Chromosomes." Marist College. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017
"Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During Meiosis." CUNY Graduate Center. New York City. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017
"Causes and Consequences of Inheriting Abnormal Numbers of Chromosomes." The Center for Genomic and Systems Biology, New York University. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
"Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During Meiosis." Pittsburgh Area C. Elegans Group Meeting. Pittsburgh. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
"Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During Meiosis." The Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University. New York (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
"Consequences of Inheriting Abnormal Number of Genomes Material." University of Pittsburgh Women's Research Institute. Pittsburgh. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
"Causes and Consequences of Aneuploidy" Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology 20th Anniversary Symposium. Toronto, Ontario. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
"Causes and Consequences of Aneuploidy." Rutgers University and Waksman Institute. Piscataway N.J. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
"Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During Meiosis and in the Early Embryo." Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology 20th Anniversary Symposium. Toronto, Ontario. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
"Causes and Consequences of Aneuploidy" CUNY Queens College.Queens, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
Schvarzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve."Meiotic HORMA Domain Proteins Prevent Untimely Centriole Disengagement During C. Elegans Spermatocyte Meiosis." Institute for Research in Biomedicine: The Microtubule Cytoskeleton in Development and Disease. Barcelona, Spain. (Talk) (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2013
Scharvzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve. "Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance In Meiosis." C. Elegans Development, Cell Biology & Gene Expression Meeting. Madison, Wis. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2012
Schvarzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve. "Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During C. Elegans Male Meiosis." Gordon Research Conference: Meiosis. New London, N.H. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2012
Schvarzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve. "Chromosome and Centrosome Inheritance During C. Elegans Male Meiosis." Gordon Research Seminars: Meiosis. New London, N.H. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2012
Meiotic chromosome structural proteins influence spindle organization during male meiosis. 20th International C. elegans Meeting. UCLA. Los Angeles. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2011
Schvarzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve. "A Novel Role For Meiotic HORMA Domain Proteins Regulating Centriole Dynamics During Male Meiosis in C. Elegans." Bay Area Worm Meeting. Berkeley, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2011
Schvrzstein, M., A.M. Villeneuve. "Meiotic Proteins Regulate Centriole Dynamics and Spindle Organization During the Spermatocyte Meiotic Divisions in C. Elegans." Gordon Research Conference: Motile and Contractile Systems. New London, N.H. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2011
A novel role for meiotic HORMA domain proteins regulating centriole dynamics during male meiosis in C. elegans. Gordon Research Conference: Meiosis. Colby-Sawyer College. New London, N.H. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010
"Regulation of Sister Chromatid Cohesion during C. elegans Meiosis." Gordon Research Conference: Meiosis. Colby-Sawyer College. New London, N.H., Aug. 2008. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
Regulation of sister chromatid cohesion loss during C. elegans meiosis. Stanford Genetics Annual Meeting. Monterey, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2008
"The C. elegans sex-determining GLI protein TRA-1 is regulated by sex-specific proteolysis." 15th International C. elegans Meeting. UCLA. Los Angeles, June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2005
"Regulation of TRA-1 by sex-specific processing and localization." East Coast C. elegans Meeting. Yale University. New Haven, Conn., June 13. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2004
"Regulation of TRA-1 by sex-specific processing and localization." 14th International C. elegans Meeting. UCLA. Los Angeles, July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2003
Professional Leadership
Evolution, Ecology and Germline Development Session Chair, 20th International C. elegans Meeting. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016
Faculty Council Honors, Citations and Awards Committee Chair (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2016
Society of Developmental Biology Annual Meeting Satellite Symposium Organizer. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016
