Dr. Maya Frankfurt received her Ph.D. in neuroscience and has been teaching and doing research for over 30 years. She has taught neuroscience and physiology to medical students and allied health students. Her research interests are primarily related to understanding how the brain responds to alterations in hormones, drugs, and aging. Of particular importance is the understanding of the mechanisms involved in short- and long-term memory. Although these studies are done in animals the goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying learning and memory in humans and to provide potential directions for therapy in patients with dementia. Related to this, is the attempt to understand potential sex differences and the effects of estrogen in learning and memory because women have a greater incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease than do men. The initial hormone studies led to an interest on the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastics that has been shown to disrupt endocrine function, on both memory and brain structure. This research has been published in over 80 papers in peer referred journals.
Experience
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Teacher
Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies
Present
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Professor
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell School
2010 – 2022
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Research Associate
The City College of New York
2005 – 2010
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Associate Professor
Touro College in New York
1995 – 2005
Education
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Biomedical Science, City University of New York – MSSM
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Neuroscience
1979 – 1983
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Hampshire College
Bachelor of Arts
1974 – 197