Nurit Ballas | Department of Neurobiology and Behavior

Erwin Cabrera

Profile Photo Erwin Cabrera

Research Professor & Simons STEM Scholars Executive Director
PhD, NYU School of Medicine

Training

Cabrera earned a PhD and MS in Neuropathology & Biomedical Sciences from New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He has taught and mentored innumerable students at SUNY Farmingdale, UMBC and NYU on everything from research methods to career opportunities through workshops, seminars and courses. He also has experience as a principal investigator on National Science Foundation (NSF) grants and has served as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Pathology at NYU. Cabrera has first-hand experience as a fellow/trainee in various programs- including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars Program, DAAD Germany Today Fellow and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Meyerhoff Scholars Program — a program that provided a model for the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program.

Research

Cabrera’s interests lie at the intersection of biomedical science and STEM education. His early work focused on the molecular underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly the role of amyloid-beta in disease progression. He used proteomics, spectroscopy, and biochemical methods to investigate the role of amyloid-beta peptides in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, aiming to better understand how protein aggregation and misfolding contribute to neuronal dysfunction. This foundational work not only provided insight into disease biology but also honed his expertise in experimental design and data-driven inquiry.

Building on this scientific foundation, his more recent work has shifted toward improving access, retention, and success for early career trainees in STEM. Cabrera has maintained a strong focus on educational equity, student success outcomes, and building inclusive research communities that foster long-term pathways into graduate education and STEM careers.

Publications

Anthonioz, A., Burchett, C. O., Peña, T., Cabrera, E., McCombs, N., Brick, B., ... & London, B. (2024). Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM: Lessons from Stony Brook's Simons STEM Scholars Program.

Cabrera, E., Cullington, L., Kahn, B., & Winter, K. (2022). Transformative learning through curriculum innovation, mentored research, and inclusive community-building at Farmingdale State College. Network.

Rostagno, A., Cabrera, E., Lashley, T., Ghiso, J., (2022) “N-terminally truncated Aβ4-x proteoforms and their relevance for Alzheimer’s pathophysiology.” Translational Neurodegeneration.

Cabrera, E., Sperzel, T., Francillion, W., White, K.,. (2021). Reflections on Challenge, Change and Transition: How relationship building supported change management, transitions and the unexpected in an interdisciplinary, multi- institutional AGEP alliance for Faculty Diversity. National Science Foundation ADVANCE Journal .

Cabrera, E., Mathews, P., Mezhericher, E., Beach, T. G., Deng, J., Neubert, T. A., ... & Ghiso, J. (2018). Aβ truncated species: Implications for brain clearance mechanisms and amyloid plaque deposition. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis of Disease, 1864(1), 208-225.

Fossati, S., Giannoni, P., Solesio, M. E., Cocklin, S. L., Cabrera, E., Ghiso, J., & Rostagno, A. (2016). The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide prevents amyloid beta-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation protecting neuronal and glial cells in vitro and in the mouse brain. Neurobiology of disease, 86, 29-40.

Erwin Cabrera's Google Scholar Link