Dr. Hanss is currently an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Division of Nephrology) and Structural & Chemical Biology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. His research focuses primarily on delivery and uptake of nucleic acids and gene therapy constructs by cells. Dr. Hanss’ work has led to the discovery of a nucleic acid selective channel that conducts single stranded DNA and RNA molecules. Evidence indicates this channel is one of only two transporters known to deliver nucleic acids to the cytoplasm and, as such, it is likely to be a primary pathway by which bioactive nucleic acids enter cells. Additional lines of investigation have focused on delivery of lentiviral and adeno-associated viral vectors to the kidney. In addition to his research, Dr. Hanss is actively involved in education at all levels. He is course director of Medical Physiology, a required course for first year medical students; he teaches a number of graduate school courses; and he is a co-director of Mt. Sinai’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program. He has also mentored numerous high school, college, and graduate students in his laboratory. Dr. Hanss received his undergraduate degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, a PhD from the Department of Physiology at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana under the direction of Richard C. Vari, PhD, and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Paul E. Klotman, MD at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Hanss resides in Manhattan with his wife and two daughters.