Dr. Christie Passos

Dr. Christie Passos is a research associate at the Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, where she is engaged in clinical and translational research focused on surgical outcomes and musculoskeletal health. Her current work includes studies on total joint arthroplasty outcomes, post-surgical effects in GLP-1 patients, mast cell-related conditions, and knee pain, all aimed at improving patient recovery and advancing evidence-based surgical care. Dr. Passos completed her undergraduate studies at New York University from 2015 to 2020, where she became involved in research early in her academic career. From 2016 to 2020, she worked with the Ward Group investigating pathological crystal formation, developing a strong foundation in experimental research and molecular science. This early experience shaped her long-term interest in disease mechanisms and translational biomedical research. She went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned both her master’s degree and PhD in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology. During her doctoral research, she studied phase-separating membraneless organelles in bacteria and explored the use of small molecules to disrupt phase separation as a potential strategy for developing a novel class of antibiotics. Her work contributed to innovative approaches in understanding bacterial biology and antibiotic development.

Dr. Passos has published two peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Her publication “BR-Bodies Facilitate Adaptive Responses and Survival During Copper Stress in Caulobacter crescentis” in the Journal of Biological Chemistry was selected as an Editor’s Pick, highlighting its significance in the field. She also authored “Severe Hyponatremia Corrections, Mortality, and Central Pontine Myelinolysis,” published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In addition, she is currently working on four active research projects that are not yet published manuscripts, including studies on total joint arthroplasty outcomes, post-operative effects in GLP-1 patients, mast cell biology, and post-surgical knee pain outcomes. With a strong foundation in both basic science and clinical research, Dr. Passos is currently serving as a research associate prior to beginning medical school. Her ultimate goal is to become a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric surgery, integrating clinical practice with translational research to improve patient outcomes and advance medical knowledge.

• University of Pittsburgh - Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology
• University of Pittsburgh - M.S. in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology
• New York University - B.S., 2015–2020

• Research Scientist (PhD)

• Publication selected as Editor’s Pick (Journal of Biological Chemistry)

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• American Chemical Society

Journal of Biological Chemistry (Editor’s Pick publication)
New England Journal of Medicine (published research article)
Additional four research projects currently in progress