David L. Spector is a cell and molecular biologist best recognized for his research on gene expression and nuclear dynamics.
Education
Spector received a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York in 1973, a Master"s degree from Herbert H. Lehman College in 1977, and a Doctor of Philosophy.in Cell Biology from Rutgers University in 1980. After completing his Doctor of Philosophy he accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Career
He is currently a professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and head of the Gene Regulation and Cell Proliferation program of the CSHL Cancer Center. Since 2007, he has also served as Director of Research of CSHL. In 1985 he relocated to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and has been promoted through the ranks to his current position of Professor. In 2007 he was appointed Director of Research.
Spector is a pioneer in unraveling our understanding of the inner workings of the cell nucleus.
His early investigations centered on the unusual chromosome structure of dinoflagellates. Recent studies in his laboratory are focused on examining the organization and regulation of gene expression in living mammalian cells.
His laboratory has developed approaches to elucidate the spatial and temporal aspects of gene expression and in identifying and characterizing the function of nuclear retained long non-coding RNAs. In addition, Spector has co-edited numerous microscopy techniques manuals (ie Basic Methods in Microscopy, Live Cell Imaging: A Laboratory Manual), and a treatise of The Nucleus, that are used in laboratories throughout the world.
2006: Winship Herr Award for Excellence in Teaching, Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.