Dr. Christie Passos
Christie Passos, PhD, is a postdoctoral research assistant at the Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, where she is actively engaged in clinical and translational research focused on surgical outcomes and musculoskeletal health. Her current work includes investigations into total joint arthroplasty outcomes, post-surgical effects in GLP-1 patients, mast cell-related conditions, and post-operative knee pain, with the goal of improving recovery outcomes and advancing evidence-based surgical care.
She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, following a Master of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with Honors from New York University. Her academic background is rooted in chemical biology, molecular research, and interdisciplinary biomedical science, providing a strong foundation in both fundamental and applied research.
Her doctoral research focused on bacterial biomolecular condensates and phase separation mechanisms, particularly their role in antibiotic resistance and cellular stress responses. She has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications, including work in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the New England Journal of Medicine, and has presented her research at national and international scientific conferences. Her expertise includes protein expression and purification, fluorescence microscopy, and quantitative biochemical analysis.
In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Passos has extensive teaching and mentorship experience, serving as a teaching assistant and fellow in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry courses. She has mentored undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory research, experimental design, and scientific communication, while also contributing to curriculum development and academic instruction in chemistry.
Dr. Passos is recognized for her strong academic performance, leadership in research, and commitment to advancing biomedical science through interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work bridges chemical biology and clinical research, with a focus on translating laboratory discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care and surgical outcomes.
• 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)
• NOBCChE Poster Competition Award (2nd Place, 2023)
• Regeneron Poster Presentation Award (2022)
• University of Pittsburgh Excellence Award (2020)
• Chair’s Scholar Fellowship (2020)
• NYU Honors Scholar Award (2020)
• Multiple academic and language excellence awards
• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• American Chemical Society
• Medical Science Liaison Society
• Hellenic Medical Society of New York
• New York Junior League
Passos, C. et al. (2025). BR-Bodies Facilitate Adaptive Responses and Survival During Copper Stress in Caulobacter crescentus. Journal of Biological Chemistry
Seethapathy, H. et al. (2023). Severe Hyponatremia Correction, Mortality, and Central Pontine Myelinolysis. New England Journal of Medicine
Ongoing clinical and translational research at Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, focusing on total joint arthroplasty outcomes, GLP-1 post-surgical effects, mast cell-related conditions, and post-surgical knee pain, aimed at improving patient recovery and advancing evidence-based surgical care.
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Research
- Pathological Crystal Formation
- Oncology
- Biological Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Arthroplasty
- Surgical Outcomes
- Immunology
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing medicine is the ability to see a direct and immediate impact on patients. I value being able to help people in the short term through clinical care, while also contributing to long-term improvements in healthcare through research. What drew me to both medicine and research is the constant opportunity to learn and develop new skills. I thrive in environments where I am continuously challenged and growing, and where each new role requires me to expand my knowledge and abilities. I am also inspired by the way research directly translates into patient care over time. From advances like vaccines to new therapeutic developments created in laboratories and industry, I find it meaningful that today’s scientific work becomes tomorrow’s standard of care. That connection between discovery and patient impact is what motivates me in research, while the immediate patient outcomes are what I value most in clinical settings.
Locations
Hospital for Special Surgery / Weill Cornell Medicine
USA, New York, NY 10021