The Wistar Institute

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Founded in 1892, The Wistar Institute is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute wit

Founded as the first institution of its kind devoted to medical research and training in the United States, The Wistar Institute has evolved from its beginnings as an anatomical teaching museum to its present-day status as an international leader in basic biomedical research.

10/16/2026

What does a future scientist look like? Meet Jenny Chen, a Philadelphia student gaining hands-on research experience at The Wistar Institute through a year-long extended lab experience.

Jenny first joined us through our Summer High School Program in Biomedical Research and now spends time each week in the lab of Qingshen Li at Wistar's HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center.

With guidance from her Central High School science teacher, Robert Herbstritt, and postdoctoral mentor Mia Zhao, Jenny is gaining hands-on experience in biomedical research and building skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

We're excited to follow Jenny's journey and see where her passion for science takes her next.

Learn more about Wistar's high school programs: https://bit.ly/456Ccky

10/15/2026

Philadelphia is at the forefront of mitochondrial research, and this November, leading scientists from around the world will gather here for the 2026 Translational Research in Mitochondria/Metabolism, Aging and Disease Conference (TRiMAD).

The two-day meeting will feature experts from across the mitochondrial research spectrum, from fundamental mitochondrial biology to cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disease, aging, metabolism and primary mitochondrial disease, including Wistar’s Dr. Dario Altieri.

Learn why Philadelphia has emerged as a global hub for mitochondrial research and hear from the conference organizers: https://bit.ly/4jtsyS5

2026

10/14/2026

A big thank you to The McLean Contributionship for investing in the future of the life sciences workforce through their generous support of Wistar's education and training initiatives. Their grant will help equip our training laboratories with essential tools that give participants hands-on experience and the skills needed to pursue high-demand careers in biomedical research.

Learn more about the Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center. https://bit.ly/44Q3U5d

10/12/2026

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize everyone impacted by the disease and the urgent need for research that can lead to better outcomes.

At The Wistar Institute, researchers are uncovering what drives breast cancer and using those insights to advance new approaches to detection, treatment, and prevention. Their work is helping move promising discoveries closer to the people who need them most.

Explore more about Wistar’s NCI-designated Cancer Center: https://bit.ly/4kjqJF0

10/09/2026

Did you know that every human cell carries an archive of ancient infections?

Recently, Wistar’s Assistant Professor Noam Auslander and colleagues were featured in ScienMag for their work on ERVmancer, a new software framework published in the Genome Biology Journal.

ERVmancer helps researchers study human endogenous retroviruses, or HERVs, by using evolutionary biology to organize and interpret their activity. This software gives researchers a clearer view of how these ancient viral sequences evolved and how they may influence immune responses and contribute to diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis to cancer.

To learn more about how ERVmancer is helping researchers explore human genetic evolution, read the ScienMag article:

https://bit.ly/4yFQCpv

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10/08/2026

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer in adults—and modern immunotherapies have largely failed against it. A new study from Wistar’s Veglia Lab, published in Neuro-Oncology, points to a promising way forward. Dr. Filippo Veglia and his team identified a two-pronged strategy designed to dismantle the tumor’s defenses and unleash the immune system to fight back.

Glioblastoma tumors defend themselves in two ways. First, low oxygen inside the tumor reprograms immune cells called myeloid cells, causing them to suppress the cancer-fighting T cells that would otherwise attack the tumor. Second, the few functional T cells that enter the tumor become exhausted and lose their ability to fight. The researchers addressed both barriers by pairing a low dose of axitinib—an existing medication that reduces oxygen starvation and limits the myeloid cells’ ability to suppress T cells—with a targeted immunotherapy that strengthens T cells before they burn out.

In preclinical models, the combination significantly extended survival and created lasting immune memory that helped prevent the cancer from returning. The researchers are now working toward testing the approach in clinical trials and exploring its potential against other hard-to-treat solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dV5WpO

10/07/2026

Most of us know the mitochondria as the powerhouse of the cell.

This November, Wistar’s President and CEO, Dr. Dario Altieri, a powerhouse of mitochondrial research, will speak at the 2026 TRiMAD conference in Philadelphia. Dr. Altieri has been a leader in exploring the connection between mitochondria and metastasis in cancer progression throughout his career.

Short for Translational Research in Mitochondria/Metabolism, Aging and Disease, TRiMAD has been bringing mitochondrial scientists together for over a decade. We’re excited to welcome TRiMAD to the City of Brotherly Love, which has become a major hub for mitochondrial science with a host of regional institutions advancing groundbreaking research.

This two-day event runs from Saturday, November 14th to Sunday, November 15th.

To learn more about TRiMAD 2026 or to register, visit: https://bit.ly/4zeYo9v

10/06/2026

The Wistar Institute is pleased to announce Ronny Drapkin, M.D., Ph.D., as our next president & CEO, effective Nov. 30.

An internationally recognized physician-scientist and leading ovarian cancer researcher, Dr. Drapkin brings extensive experience in discovery science, translational medicine and organizational leadership.

He also brings a longstanding connection to Wistar. Since 2016, Dr. Drapkin has been an affiliate of Wistar’s Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center and has collaborated with Wistar scientists on multiple publications and jointly funded research projects.

As Wistar president & CEO, Dr. Drapkin will build on the Institute’s momentum and help advance its mission of scientific discovery and impact on human health.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Drapkin to this new role.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4hAlbW4

10/05/2026

Great research takes more than scientific expertise and curiosity—it also takes strong mentors, supportive peers, and an environment where new ideas can thrive. In this video, postdoctoral fellow Erin Gibbons, Ph.D., shares how she found that community at Wistar and how it has helped shape her journey as a scientist.

Watch Erin’s story.

10/01/2026

Last week, two members of Wistar’s Education and Training team – Kristy Shuda McGuire, MS, Ph.D. and Jason Diaz, Ph.D. – attended the 2026 Pincus Partner Convening hosted by the Pincus Family Foundation.

This two-day event stood true to its theme “Rooted in Community, Powered by Partnership,” where we had the opportunity to meet and cultivate relationships with other organizations in the Philadelphia area dedicated to serving our youth across many sectors.

Thanks to the foundations’ continued support and generosity since 2019, our Institute has found creative ways to make sure research experiences are accessible to Philadelphia youth, including implementing classroom curriculum outreach, high school programming, and Wistars’ High School Program in Biomedical Research.

Thank you to the Pincus Family Foundation for having us!

Address

3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
19104

Telephone

+12158983700

Website

http://www.wistar.org/

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