Maria Plataki, M.D. Ph.D.

I am proud to be a member of the team of physicians in the Weill Cornell Medicine Pulmonary and Critical Care Division. I started participating in respiratory research projects on the pathophysiology of interstitial lung diseases as a medical student. My dissertation research examined the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. My interests evolved to focus on critical care as my clinical training in Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine progressed, primarily motivated by the profound impact critical illness has on individuals and their families. I completed two years of postdoctoral research training dedicated to Ventilator Induced Lung Injury and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

As an Assistant Attending in the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine Intensive Care Unit, I aspire to be part of a team effort that strives for excellence and to coordinate the input from many specialists to achieve the best possible outcome for critically ill patients. I am hoping to assist patients and their families with decision making based not only on what’s the matter with them, but also what matters to them. Acute lung injury remains my main interest with a particular focus on the effects of obesity on critical illness. My research efforts under the mentorship of Dr. Augustine MK Choi focus on understanding the impact of obesity, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction on critical illness and ARDS.