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Vol. 07 Issue 4, Early Winter 2002

Professor Ron Gorewit Working in Affiliation with BCERF Translational Research Faculty
The Ribbon 

Ron Gorewit has been on the Cornell faculty since 1975. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Animal Science. Prior to coming on board at Cornell, he established a diversified background in Biological Sciences. After receiving his B.S. in Biology at the University of California, Irvine he found his way to Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan where he obtained his M.S. in Microbiology and Public Health. Dr. Gorewit's M.S. research project was in the area of cellular immunity, in which he worked on a project dealing with the human blood-born tropical parasite called Leishmania donavani. About the time he was about to receive his first graduate degree, his interests turned toward physiology (the study of organ systems). He was fortunate to receive a fellowship to study for his Ph.D. under the direction of H. Allen Tucker, a well-known and respected mammary gland biologist. Dr. Gorewit completed his Ph.D. on the physiological and biochemical role of adrenal gland hormones on mammary gland development, as well as the initiation and maintenance of lactation.

His research focus at Cornell has dealt with several aspects of mammary gland biology, ranging from hormonal control of mammary gland growth, development and function to the influence of stress on milk secretion and removal. Dr. Gorewit has been an author on over 100 scientific papers and is both nationally and internationally respected in the field of mammary gland biology. He is currently focusing his research efforts in the areas of biologically active/medicinal/anti-cancer components found in milk, and the influence of environmental chemicals on mammary gland growth, development, function and disease. In addition, he will be working in affiliation with BCERF developing critical evaluations on the cancer risk of two persistent, endocrine disrupting pesticides, hexachlorobenzene and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane. These cancer risk evaluations will be 'translated' into fact sheets for use by consumers and health educators.

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Last Update 01.16.03