Introduction by Director Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD
Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD
Director, Biomedical Graduate Studies
Welcome to the Fall 2021 issue of The Dish. As we move through the autumn months, it has been wonderful to once again see a populated campus. While we must continue to take precautions and remain vigilant through these uncertain times, as researchers and educators we are excited to once again bring students and faculty together to learn in the lab and in the classroom. I want to personally thank our leadership, faculty, staff, and students for their continued support and perseverance in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Penn BGS is what it is because of your efforts, and I am grateful.
Before I introduce the contents of this issue, I’d like to briefly discuss our student population — specifically our incoming class, which is the largest and most diverse Penn BGS has ever seen. This year, we welcomed 150 incoming PhD students and 19 combined degree students to BGS. 67 percent of our incoming students identified as female, which is similar to trends at the national level. Among the US citizens of the incoming class, 33% identified as underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine. International students made up 7% of our incoming class and come from 12 countries. Diversity and representation are the beating heart of Penn’s excellence, and it is a privilege to oversee such a talented group of students.
A note before we proceed: In our Fall 2020 issue, we asked your assistance in the effort to provide computers to all BGS students who needed them, as the move to virtual learning left some students at a disadvantage. I am delighted to inform you that, thanks to your generosity, Penn BGS was able to provide computers to every incoming student, free of charge. Efforts like this ensure our incoming students begin their academic careers here on level footing, and I speak for every one of them when I say thank you for your support.
We have a lovely issue for you this time around, featuring the nine 2021-2022 recipients of the Blavatnik Family Fellowship in Biomedical Research. This highly competitive fellowship is focused on bolstering the next generation of scientific leaders, and as you read their research summaries and personal statements, I suspect you will be every bit as proud of them as we are. The future of medical research is in good hands.
We also provide a glimpse of the scientific community’s recognition of Drs. Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó, the two Penn researchers behind the development of the mRNA vaccine platform that is saving lives around the world — and poised to change vaccine development forever.
As always, it is an honor to communicate with the remarkable Penn BGS community. Thank you once again for everything you have done to represent the research training you received at Penn and for your support of our current students. If you are looking to support the efforts of our brilliant researchers and students, I ask that you please consider making a gift. And, as always, feel free to reach out to me at jordank@upenn.edu to discuss the work and direction of Penn BGS — and any stories you’d like to see us cover in The Dish.
Please enjoy our Fall 2021 issue.
Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD
Chair and Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Director, Biomedical Graduate Studies, Perelman School of Medicine
Presenting the 2021-2022 Blavatnik Family Fellows
Please join The Dish and all of Penn BGS in congratulating the 2021 recipients of the Blavatnik Family Fellowship in Biomedical Research!
Under the leadership of industrialist and philanthropist Len Blavatnik, the Blavatnik Family Foundation has an established record of supporting talented young scientists at premier institutions around the globe. In 2018, the Foundation donated $2 million to Penn BGS and created the Blavatnik Family Fellowship in Medical Research, a competitive award geared toward helping transform the education and training of the next generation of scientific leaders.
This is the fourth and final year in which the Fellowship will be awarded. In sum, the fund has supported 27 students. The final nine are as follows:
Amy Campbell
Graduate Group: Genomics and Computational Biology
Thesis Mentor: Elizabeth Grice, PhD
Amy studies the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus to understand how it causes chronic wound infections. Using information gleaned from patient-derived S. aureus genetic sequences, clinical patient outcome data, and laboratory measures of each strain’s infectiousness, she utilizes machine learning methods to develop biomarkers for infection risk and uncover novel genetic targets for antimicrobial drugs. The goal of Amy’s project is to better equip health care providers to fight chronic infections that frequently lead to amputations and deaths.
“I feel so grateful to have received the Blavatnik Family Fellowship and to share the honor with other early career scientists at Penn. COVID-19 has changed so much about how we do research and how we communicate about it, but its impact is as important and as urgent as ever.”
Peter Carman
Graduate Group: Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Thesis Mentor: Roberto Dominguez, PhD
Peter’s research focuses on multiple aspects of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and regulation. Using a range of experimental methods, including structural biology, biochemistry, and proteomics, he has developed novel human-cell expression methods to obtain fully native proteins — such as tropomyosin, a major target in the fight against cancer — for biochemical studies. His ability to express fully native tropomyosin isoforms represents a major advance that facilitates the in vitro study of anti-cancer drugs targeting the protein. He is also exploring the use of cryo-electron microscopy to learn more about protein complexes that play central roles in neuronal function.
“This prestigious award is the highlight of my doctoral studies. It will allow me to focus on the science I’m most interested in and facilitate my interaction with current and previous awardees.”
Alexis Crockett
Graduate Group: Neuroscience
Thesis Mentor: Jorge Iván Alvarez, PhD
Alexis investigates how interactions between the brain and immune system potentially relate to neuropsychiatric disease. She hypothesizes the blood-brain barrier mediates the ability of inflammation to affect the brain and prompt neuropsychiatric symptoms. She studies 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a human condition with a profound increased risk for neuropsychiatric disease. Her work aims to identify key inflammatory molecules expressed by the blood-brain barrier in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients, with the hope that she can then inhibit these molecules, reduce inflammation, and restore brain function.
“The Blavatnik Family Fellowship is a huge honor, and it is incredible to have my hard work recognized in this way. The funding will give me the freedom to explore the behavioral implications of my neurobiological findings, which would not have been possible otherwise. Professionally, being recognized with a Blavatnik Family award will allow me to stand out in my future endeavors as a postdoctoral applicant and beyond.”
Matthew Gazzara
Graduate Group: Genomics and Computational Biology
Thesis Mentors: Yoseph Barash, PhD and Kristen Lynch, PhD
Matthew’s work focuses on the construction of computational tools that use thousands of patient samples to identify RNA processing patterns and find specific helper proteins and regulatory sequences that drive differences in disease. Typically, DNA provides instructions through RNA to get the cells to make proteins — but many of these instructions are long, complex, and contain extra non-coding information. By learning more about the specific RNA processing patterns behind protein production, Matthew hopes to uncover novel therapeutic targets in these helper proteins and the non-coding sequences to which they bind.
“I am honored to have been selected to receive the Blavatnik Family Fellowship. To be honored with many other of my amazing peers at Penn is truly a highlight of my scientific career thus far. Joining the larger Blavatnik scientific community will help me in sharing both my discoveries and the tools I help develop to empower other researchers in the study of RNA processing.”
Nitsan Goldstein
Graduate Group: Neuroscience
Thesis Mentor: Nick Betley, PhD
Nitsan’s research investigates the intricate web of neural networks through which the brain regulates food intake — and the variations within that web that lead to conditions like obesity. She is using model organisms to understand how a small population of neurons located in the hypothalamus, known as “hunger neurons,” are regulated. She has uncovered several key findings that illustrate how these neurons are regulated by signals that originate in the gut. Ultimately, she hopes these neurons can be targeted therapeutically to mitigate the health risks associated with excess weight and other metabolic disorders.
“It is an honor to receive the Blavatnik Family Fellowship and to join this vibrant scientific community. The fellowship will allow me to continue investigating the neural control of feeding behavior and launch me into the next phase of my academic career.”
Jamal Green
Graduate Group: Immunology
Thesis Mentor: Michael Silverman, MD, PhD
Jamal’s research is centered on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene, which is the strongest genetic contributor to type 1 diabetes in humans and mice. Specifically, he aims to understand how certain MHC genes interact with the gut microbiome to contribute to autoimmunity. To that end, he and his collaborators have developed a community of microbes to test MHC interaction through animal models. This work is helping to define which microbes are important for developing a healthy immune system and preventing type 1 diabetes. Ultimately, he hopes to define how protective microbes and genes work together to support a healthy immune system in children — and then apply these concepts to develop microbe-based treatments for children at risk for autoimmune diseases.
“The honor of being selected to become a Blavatnik Fellow is a meaningful milestone in my development as a physician scientist. In addition to providing extensive networking opportunities with the Blavatnik scientific community, the fellowship will allow me to focus on developing translational approaches to advance microbial based therapies and diagnostics.”
Daniel Park
Graduate Group: Cell and Molecular Biology
Thesis Mentor: Eric F. Joyce, PhD
Daniel is working to identify the genes that regulate chromosome folding in an effort to ultimately develop therapies that can correct the chromosome misfolding associated with several developmental disorders and cancers. His mentor’s lab has constructed a high-throughput imaging-based method to visualize chromosome folding which, when used in conjunction with computational image analysis, allows the team to screen the human genome and isolate genes involved in DNA folding. Several of these genes can be targeted by drugs, which provide exciting possibilities for the potential treatment of chromosome misfolding and gene misexpression.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected for the Blavatnik Family Fellowship. This award will provide crucial support in my efforts to identify novel genes involved in 3D genome organization. We hope that understanding the molecular factors involved in this process will accelerate our ability to pursue targeted therapeutic development for disorders associated with chromosome misfolding.”
Camille Testard
Graduate Group: Neuroscience
Thesis Mentor: Michael L. Platt, PhD
Camille’s research focuses on the social environment’s impact on the health and vitality of social animals. Specifically, she investigates the “Social Buffering Hypothesis,” which posits social support promotes healthy outcomes by softening the impacts of stress — an important consideration in the face of climate change and the increase in destructive storm activity. She studies a population of monkeys living on an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Her team has found that the monkeys on the island became more tolerant of each other and made new friends in the storm’s aftermath, akin to human surges in solidarity after a disaster. Camille intends to next investigate the physiological impact of Hurricane Maria on the monkeys’ brain morphology, expanding our understanding of how natural disasters alter the brain and how social support can help individuals deal with disaster.
“It is a great honor to have received the Blavatnik Family Fellowship. This fellowship will allow me to focus on research that is relevant to understanding the roots of humans’ drive to connect with others, as well as meeting and learning from other passionate junior scientists from the Blavatnik scientific network.”
Yumi Yan
Graduate Group: Cell and Molecular Biology
Thesis Mentor: M. Andres Blancho, PhD
Yumi’s research looks at the mechanism through which acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells hijack our cells’ epigenetic regulators and force them to produce more oncogenes and oncoproteins. Her team has developed a high-throughput screening approach that evaluates thousands of genetic regulators at the same time. Through that screen, they have identified a “writer” enzyme that AML depends on (KAT6A) and an epigenetic “reader” (ENL) KAT6A works with. This pathway presents an attractive new therapeutic target, and Yumi’s team is currently developing next-generation KAT6A and ENL inhibitors.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Blavatnik Family Fellowship. Receiving the fellowship will encourage me to keep moving forward with my research, to uncover more therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients.”
Scientific Community Recognizes Accomplishments of Penn mRNA Pioneers
With billions of doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines being distributed and administered around the world — saving countless lives and pointing the way to end a global health crisis — the University of Pennsylvania scientists who laid the foundation for swift vaccine development have received recognition from the scientific community at large for their prescient work.
In September, Roberts Family Professor of Vaccine Research Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, and adjunct professor of Neurosurgery and BioNTech senior vice president Katalin Karikó, PhD, became the latest recipients of the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award — widely regarded as America’s top biomedical research prize — for the 2005 discovery of a therapeutic technology based on the modification of mRNA.
The Lasker-DeBakey announcement came on the heels of another significant award: the 2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the largest scientific prize in the world. Other national and international commendations have included the Princess of Asturias Award and the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research.
“As a physician-scientist, you hope your work will someday have a positive impact on real people, and it was beyond exciting to see that happen,” Weissman said in a Penn Medicine press release. “But now, I'm most excited to be teaming up with colleagues to explore all that mRNA vaccines can do. We're working on malaria with people across the U.S. and in Africa and on leptospirosis with people in Southeast Asia. We're working on vaccines for peanut allergies. All of this is through collaboration. We find the best people in the world and ask them, ‘Do you want to collaborate on making this vaccine?'”
“So many enigmatic things about RNA I find very, very exciting,” Karikó added. “And I am so glad that it eventually helped humanity.” On her collaborations with Weissman, she noted, “Sometimes, we asked a question and made an experiment. And of course, instead of the answer, we got 100 more questions. It was very enjoyable. I would like to emphasize that to be a scientist is a joy.”
To learn more about Drs. Weissman and Karikó and their groundbreaking work, please visit https://www.pennmedicine.org/mrna.
Make a Difference: Give to the BGS Fellowship Fund Today
As we welcome students back to campus and the return of in-person instruction, we are also navigating the complex and difficult realities of COVID-19. Through all of it, our students, faculty, and community have been tremendous in their patience and resilience.
They have done this hard work in the service of Penn BGS’s educational mission, knowing the opportunities available here are unlike those available anywhere else. If you would like to support their efforts and ensure future generations of medical scientists have similar opportunities, we ask that you consider making a gift to the BGS Fellowship Fund. With your support, we can continue providing our students and faculty with the resources they need to raise the bar and make the sorts of groundbreaking strides that have come to define our institution.
You can make a gift online or send a check payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” and include “Biomedical Graduate Studies Fellowship Fund” in the memo line. Please mail it to:
Penn Medicine Development
c/o Megan Osvath
3535 Market Street, Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thank you for your partnership.
If you would like to learn more about Penn Biomedical Graduate Studies, contact Torren Blair at torrenb@upenn.edu.