Nicholas H. Hampilos, M.D.

Nicholas graduated from Swarthmore College in 2013 with a B.A. and major in biology. While an undergraduate, he had his first experience in biomedical research in stem cell biology through two summer research internships at Columbia University. This was a formative experience for him as he gained an appreciation for the role of biomedical research in advancing medical care. After graduating from Swarthmore, Nicholas enrolled in medical school at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2020, during which he received a broad medical education and further exposure to biomedical research. Nicholas graduated from medical school with an M.D. degree in May of 2020. In July of 2020, Nicholas joined the Laboratory of Advanced MRS Research at Weill Cornell Medicine as a Fellow in Radiology under the guidance of his primary mentor Dikoma C. Shungu, Ph.D. The Shungu laboratory specializes in the use of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to investigate brain metabolism and its dysregulation in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. As a Fellow in Radiology, Nicholas’ research has primarily focused thus far on using 1H MRS to characterize the neurobiochemistry of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and other neurologic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In July of 2023, Nicholas joined the Ndhlovu lab while retaining a dual appointment in the Shungu laboratory. Nicholas is particularly interested in using advanced neuroimaging and immunological techniques to better understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying HIV associated neurocognitive disorder and geriatric NeuroHIV.

Research Interest: Neuroimaging, Neurobiochemistry, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H MRS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), geriatric NeuroHIV, HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), HIV, Long COVID

Awards/Accolades:

Recipient, Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical & Translation Science Center TL1 Training Award (01/2022 – 06/2023)

Mentors: Dikoma C Shungu, Ph.D. and Maureen R. Hanson, Ph.D.

Institution: Weill Cornell Medicine

Recipient, American Society of Hematology Minority Medical Student Award Program (2014)

Mentor: Alan W. Flake, M.D.

Institution: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Recipient, Phi Beta Kappa (2013), Swarthmore College

Recipient, NYSTEM Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Stem Cell Science (2011)

Mentor: Jung-Chi Liao, Ph.D.

Institution: Columbia University

Recipient, Clinton G. Shafer '51 Scholarship (2011), Swarthmore College

Fun Fact: Nicholas enjoys traveling to different places around the world and going to new restaurants in NYC with his wife Melina. He also enjoys spending time and playing with his 5 year old Yorkie named Scottie.

Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ

B.A., Biology – Swarthmore College (2013)

M.D., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (2020)

Publications

Matthews DC, Mao X, Dowd K, Tsakanikas D, Jiang CS, Meuser C, Andrews RD, Lukic AS, Lee J, Hampilos N, Shafiian N, Sano M, David Mozley P, Fillit H, McEwen BS, Shungu DC, Pereira AC. Riluzole, a glutamate modulator, slows cerebral glucose metabolism decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Brain. 2021 Dec 31;144(12):3742-3755. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab222. PubMed PMID: 34145880; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8719848.
Rausch ME, Hampilos N, McNeill W, Kaunitz AM, Barnhart K. Ectopic Pregnancy. In: Benrubi GI, editor. Handbook of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Emergencies 5th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2018. Chapter 3; p.40-59.
Kaplinsky NJ, Gilbert SF, Cebra-Thomas J, Lilleväli K, Saare M, Chang EY, Edelman HE, Frick MA, Guan Y, Hammond RM, Hampilos NH, Opoku DS, Sariahmed K, Sherman EA, Watson R. The Embryonic Transcriptome of the Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta). PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e66357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066357. Print 2013. PubMed PMID: 23840449; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3686863.