Cancer & Immunobiology

Research Summary

Investigators in the Division of Cancer and Immunobiology focus on both basic and translational issues related to these subject areas. Studies range across a wide breadth covering events at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels using the most recent cutting-edge techniques. Faculty maintain leadership roles in the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC), the Institute for Immunology (IFI), and the Epigenetics Institute, as well as play important roles in School of Medicine Cores and in leading efforts on the new Immune Health Initiative. Division faculty also have important roles in medical and graduate student teaching, including holding leadership positions in several biomedical graduate programs and directing the Medical School Immunology course. These wide-ranging activities ensure that members are enmeshed in the breadth of activities across campus, and in doing so, raise the visibility of the Department. Immunobiology at Penn is regarded as a national leader, and is one of the preeminent immunology divisions within an academic pathology department globally.

This Division works in conjunction with the IFI to organize a weekly colloquium seminar series with renowned speakers invited from around the world; lead two different T32 grants, one focused on cancer immunobiology and the other on immune development, which together currently support eight postdoctoral and six pre-doctoral positions and lead the Department’s physician-scientist residency training program (PSP) and a mentoring program for all Penn/CHOP residents interested in immunobiology. Faculty within this Division also have an impressive number of highly cited publications in prestigious journals and hold editorial board positions, serve in national committees, and have a substantial research portfolio with grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Allergy and Immunology and other agencies.