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Joy S Reidenberg, PhD
img_Joy S Reidenberg
PROFESSOR | Medical Education
212-241-7563
email
Research Topics
Aerodigestive Tract, Anatomy, Biomechanics/Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences, Bone Biology, Brain Imaging, Cartilage Biology, Comparative Anatomy, Computed Tomography, Computer Simulation, Developmental Biology, Education, Evolution, Imaging, Larynx, Lung, MRI, Neurobiology, Otolaryngology (ENT), Respiratory, Skeletal Biology, Speech, Systems Biology, Trauma, Vocal Tract
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Development Regeneration and Stem Cells [DRS]
Comparative anatomy of the upper respiratory tract in a wide range of mammals

Research in this laboratory examines the comparative anatomy, development, and evolution of the mammalian upper respiratory tract, particularly factors that may affect breathing, swallowing, and vocalizing abilities, or clinical disorders.

Our research focuses on upper respiratory tract anatomy in a wide range of mammals, with particular emphasis on cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). Cetaceans are studied as a "natural experiment" to understand the evolutionary forces selecting for a highly modified upper respiratory tract adapted for an aquatic existence. Our current project is developing an atlas of mysticete (baleen whale) anatomy. As an extension of this interest, investigations are in progress to examine the controversial role of the cetacean larynx in sound production for communication or echolocation. Techniques include comparative dissection (including fieldwork at site of beach-stranded whale), histology, and imaging by CT or MRI. Our important findings in comparative anatomy include:

  • discovery of a vocal fold homolog in whales previously thought to lack this,
  • identification of the lack of posterior protection of the human larynx compared with other mammals and resulting exposure of the airway to incursions from the digestive tract,
  • use of MRI and CT scans to appreciate hyo-laryngeal positional asymmetries in toothed whales that correlate with functional and behavioral asymmetries,
  • impact of slow vs. sudden pressure changes on tissues of the respiratory tract in diving mammals.
    • New insights into the origin of human clinico-pathologies related to the upper respiratory tract include defining the lack of posterior laryngeal protection from gastric juices as the major anatomical cause of respiratory tract insult secondary to Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

    Future directions we would like to take our research program include:

  • Comparative Anatomy: Investigate and compare respiratory tissue response to pressure change from natural (diving) and artificial (explosion) causes. Determine how diving marine mammals mitigate for decompression sickness. Understand how marine mammal lungs can vary compliance. Explore sound production/transfer mechanisms by aquatic mammals in air vs. water.
  • Development: Elucidate temporal/spatial relationships of branchial arches and normal and pathological development of skull/soft tissue relationships.
  • Human Clinico-Pathologies: Examine animals exhibiting posterior laryngeal protection (e.g., ruminants), create a similar artificial barrier (surgical or prosthesis), and develop an animal model of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in which to test this barrier. If model is successful, further develop in collaboration with surgeons for human patients with GERD.
  • Evolution: Reconstruct evolutionary trajectories of aerodigestive tract.

    • BA, Cornell University, College of Arts & Sciences,

    MPhil, PhD, Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Training Program

    2024

    Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Award

    American Association for Anatomy

    2024

    Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Award

    American Association for Anatomy

    2021

    Jacobi Medallion

    Mount Sinai Hospital and Alumni Association

    2018

    William Mills Prize for “Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend”

    William Mills Foundation

    2017

    Professor of the Year

    New York College of Podiatric Medicine

    2017

    The Mount Sinai Alumni Award for Achievement in Graduate Education

    Mount Sinai Alumni Association

    2016

    Lifetime Achievement Award

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    2016

    Jackson Hole Science Media Award: Big Blue Live

    Jackson Hole Film Festival Media Awards

    2016

    BAFTA Award: Best in Specialist Factual category for

    British Academy for Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award (equivalent of an Emmy Award in the US)

    2015

    Students' Choice Teaching Award

    New York College of Podiatric Medicine

    2014

    Science Hall of Fame

    Downers Grove North HS, IL

    2014

    Fellow

    American Association for Anatomy

    2012

    World Gold Medal TV & Film Award: Best Science/Nature Film category

    World Gold Medal, New York Television and Film Awards

    2010

    Highly Commended in the Best New Programme category

    The Broadcast Awards (London)

    2010

    RTS Award: Best in Science and Natural History category

    The Royal Television Society Awards (UK)

    2010

    BAFTA Award: Best in Specialist Factual category for

    British Academy for Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award (equivalent of an Emmy Award in the US)

    2010

    Thompson Reuters Zoological Record Award for Communicating Zoology

    Zoological Society of London

    2007

    Scholarly Achievement Award

    Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

    2007

    Scholarly Achievement Award

    Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

    2005

    Pre-Clinical Teaching Award

    Mount Sinai School of Medicine

    2003

    Excellence in Teaching Award

    Institute for Medical Education, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

    1999

    Basmajian/Williams and Wilkins Award

    American Association of Anatomists

    1998

    Recognition of Excellence in Science Communication

    World Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals

    1993

    Excellence in Science Communication Award

    Society for Marine Mammalogy

    1989

    Outstanding Doctorial Dissertation Award

    Mount Sinai Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences

    68
    Publications

    Selected Publications

    An innovative way for whales to sing. Joy S. Reidenberg. Nature

    Essential anatomy for core clerkships: A clinical perspective. Sarah A. Keim, Derek J. Harmon, James R. Martindale, Elisabeth N. Lopez, Charles Sanky, William S. Brooks, Meghan M. Cotter, David L. Davies, Majid Doroudi, Jeffrey C. Fahl, Anna Farias, Guinevere Granite, Kelly M. Harrell, Rekha Kar, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jon Jackson, Shiloh Jones, Wendy Lackey-Cornelison, Jeffrey T. Laitman, Kimberly Latacha, Steven R. Lewis, Amy Lovejoy Mork, Hassan Marzban, Thomas G. McNary, David L. McWhorter, Aftab Merchant, Jason C. Mussell, Melissa M. Quinn, Joy S. Reidenberg, Danielle Royer, Alan Sakaguchi, F. Kip Sawyer, Daniel B. Topping, Bruce Wainman, Lawrence E. Wineski, Ann C. Zumwalt, Mark H. Hankin. Anatomical Sciences Education

    Humpback whale suckling behavior: an insight into the mother-offspring strategy in mysticetes. Maevatiana Nokoloina Ratsimbazafindranahaka, Chloé Huetz, Joy S. Reidenberg, Anjara Saloma, Aristide Andrianarimisa, Isabelle Charrier, Olivier Adam. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

    View All Publications

    Annenberg Building Floor 12th Room 90

    1468 Madison Ave

    New York, NY 10029

    212-241-7563

    Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

    Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Reidenberg during 2023 and/or 2024. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

    Board Service

    • American Association for Anatomy
    • Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary

    Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

    • Windfall Films
    • InnerSprout, Inc.

    Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.