Dr. Ronald Gordon

Dr. Ronald E. Gordon is a globally recognized pathologist and pioneer in electron microscopy, with over 44 years of service at the Mount Sinai Hospital and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He holds a Ph.D. in Pathology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he also completed all requirements for an M.D. before beginning his lifelong journey in medical research and education.

At Mount Sinai, Dr. Gordon rose from Assistant Professor to Professor of Pathology, specializing in the study of lung diseases, tumors, vascular disorders, and respiratory conditions. He is especially renowned for his work on emphysema, lung fibrosis, and asbestos-related diseases.

His groundbreaking use of analytical electron microscopy led to the detection of asbestos contaminants in cosmetic talcum powders—a discovery that revealed a hidden link between talc use and serious illnesses such as mesotheliomas and gynecologic cancers in women. This research has been published in over 230 peer-reviewed papers, 16 book chapters, and now a full-length book aimed at raising awareness about these health risks.

Dr. Gordon’s expert testimony has played a pivotal role in asbestos litigation cases, and his findings have challenged previously misunderstood sources of asbestos exposure, shifting the scientific and legal understanding of talc-related illnesses.

A devoted family man, Dr. Gordon is married with three children and four grandchildren. His passion for science is matched by his deep commitment to protecting public health and educating others—especially women—on the unseen dangers of everyday products.

Meet the Author

Author's Background

Dr. Ronald E. Gordon is a distinguished pathologist, scientist, and educator with over four decades of groundbreaking work in the field of electron microscopy and pathology. He began his academic journey at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, earning his B.S. in 1971 and his Ph.D. in 1976, after completing the full requirements for an M.D. He continued his research at Stony Brook as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor of Pathology, focusing on the mechanisms of respiratory lining repair.

In 1977, Dr. Gordon was recruited by the Department of Pathology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical School (now the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) to lead their Electron Microscopy division and serve as a Principal Investigator on lung disease research. Over his 44-year career at Mount Sinai, he advanced from Assistant Professor to Professor of Pathology, contributing significantly to both research and education.

Scientific Contributions

Dr. Gordon is internationally recognized for his pioneering use of electron microscopy to study everything from nanoparticles to tissues and cells. His work has supported diagnostic accuracy in:

• Tumor pathology

• Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

• Vascular and respiratory diseases

• Lung fibrosis and emphysema

His research led him to study asbestos exposure, where he analyzed human tissues to detect fibers using advanced microscopic techniques. His findings directly linked asbestos-contaminated talcum powder to serious illnesses such as mesotheliomas and gynecologic cancers—findings that have had profound implications in both science and law.

Scientific Contributions

Since 2008, Dr. Gordon has served as an expert witness in litigation against asbestos manufacturers. His studies revealed the presence of asbestos fibers (anthophyllite, tremolite, chrysotile) in commercial talcum powders and confirmed their correlation with tissue samples from women diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancers.

He has published extensively on this subject, contributing to peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and now, a comprehensive book to raise awareness and advocate for early medical monitoring for women exposed to these products.

peer-reviewed manuscripts

book chapters

ground-breaking book on talcum powder & cancer risks

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16

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