Sandra K. Masur

Sandra Kazahn Masur is an American cell biologist and activist for women in academia. Masur is a professor of Ophthalmology as well as Pharmacological Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) in New York City. Her research focused on membrane transport and wound healing. As a leader in promoting gender equity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM), Masur is the founding Director of the Office for Women's Careers at ISMMS, the Chair of the Committee on Special Awards, and Title IX Coordinator. In recognition of her commitment to developing programs that mentor all scientists, the American Society for Cell Biology named the Senior Leadership Award of the Women in Cell Biology, the Sandra K. Masur Award in her honor.

Life and education Masur was born in The Bronx, New York City. To this day, Masur feels that for her, "art and science have always been intertwined" and that her artistic background influences her scientific acumen.

Masur established the first electron microscopy facility at CCNY when she returned as an Assistant Professor after earning a Masters in Zoology in 1963, followed by a PhD in Cell Biology in 1967 both from Columbia University. She studied cytochemistry as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Eric Holtzman at Columbia University.

In collaboration with Eric Holtzman she hypothesized that organelle membrane insertion and removal from the cell surface was the basis for hormone induced alteration in cell membrane permeability. Interest in cell-matrix interaction led her to the cornea where she studied the roles of the extracellular matrix, cell-cell interactions and soluble factors in the wound healing process using a corneal stroma model.

Advancing women in academia Masur aims to advance and increase the visibility of women in STEMM.

As the Director of the Office of Women's Careers, she advocates for women at ISMMS. Targeted programs and monthly events are hosted for women to discuss juggling career with family and to provides them with mentorship and leadership opportunities.

Masur held leadership roles including Chair of Diversity Issues Committee on Women and Minorities for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology from 1997 to 1999, co-director of the National Eye Institute's "Fundamental Issues in Vision Research" at the Marine Biological Laboratory from 2001 to 2010, and Chair of Women in Cell Biology for the American Society of Cell Biology from 2010 to 2016.

Awards and honors 2023- Women's Empowerment Influencer Award Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 2017 – Elected Fellow of the American Society for Cell Biology 2015 – Senior Leadership Award of the Women in Cell Biology of the American Society for Cell Biology, named the Sandra K. Masur Leadership Award 2007 – Rosalind Franklin Society Invited Member of Founding Board 2001 Women in Medicine Silver Achievement Award, Association of American Medical Colleges 1996 Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award . .