Boris Striepen, PhD, Professor of Pathobiology, an internationally recognized parasitologist, has been named the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Striepen holds an extraordinary record of scholarly accomplishments. His research program focuses on Cryptosporidium parvum, which causes cryptosporidiosis, a zoonotic disease causing diarrhea in millions of children and adults each year, especially in low-resource countries with poor quality drinking water. Striepen seeks to understand the biology of Cryptosporidium and its interaction with the host immune system by using innovative strategies for genetic manipulation of both. He is currently a principal investigator (PI) on three NIH grants and co-PI on one. In addition, Dr. Striepen and Dr. Christopher Hunter are co-PIs on a NIH U01 grant entitled: The role of CD40L in resistance to enteric infection He has received funding through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 2015 to 2020.
Penn President Amy Gutmann has appointed De’Broski R. Herbert, PhD, in the Department of Pathobiology, as Presidential Associate Professor. Dr. Herbert joined the faculty in 2016 and his research portfolio is a substantial component to the School’s strength in neglected diseases of poverty. He is recognized for his formative work in Nigeria where he examined biological samples from children in the Hausa State. His studies discovered worm-like organisms, or helminths, that are endemic to that region. “As a parasitologist and immunologist, Dr. Herbert’s mission is to understand how parasites manipulate the host’s immune system to favor their survival,” said Andrew Hoffman, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “His work demonstrates clearly that an understanding of parasite-host interactions is key to unlocking the biology of the immune system itself, since disruption unmasks basic mechanisms that are relevant to a variety of diseases including Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.”
Penn Vet Will Announce Infectious Disease Institute in October—The new institute will innovate solutions, conduct research, and advance education in infectious diseasesSignaling the world’s vulnerability to zoonotic disease, Penn Vet will be announcing a new, game-changing infectious disease institute in late- October. With more than 60% of all known infectious diseases of humans originating in animals, and 75% of all newly emerging infectious diseases being zoonotic, there is an urgent need for improved detection, mitigation, and prevention of these threats. The institute will expand Penn Vet’s research on infectious agents and enhance the School’s ability to be proactive to new or re-emerging disease.
“We have one of the largest and most respected zoonotic disease programs in the country. Never has the need to broaden Penn Vet’s expertise on local and global infectious diseases been more evident than during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Christopher Hunter, PhD, Mindy Halikman Heyer Distinguished Professor of Pathobiology, who will serve as the inaugural director of the institute. “This institute represents a steadfast commitment to our faculty and to provide preparedness and an infrastructure to our public, agricultural and wildlife health partners. We want to identify the barriers to faculty research on zoonotic disease and help to develop the experts that will be critical for future challenges.”Representing diversity of thought, background, and expertise, the institute’s leadership team will provide direction, accountability, and operational philosophy that will guide the institute’s interdisciplinary agenda. Members of the leadership team also include: Associate Director De’Broski Herbert, PhD, Presidential Associate Professor and Associate Professor of Pathobiology; Associate Director Lisa Murphy, VMD, Associate Professor of Toxicology; Associate Director Dan Beiting, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathobiology; and Associate Director Julie Ellis, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Pathobiology. Penn Vet will formally launch the institute on October 26th at the Annual Faculty Research Retreat.
Climate Week at Penn—A Wet and Sweltering Spillover A webinar, moderated by De’Broski Herbert, PhD, is free and open to the public. Climate change is now, and it’s here. Join Penn Vet experts as they discuss how hot temperatures are accelerating vector-borne disease. Panelists Julie Ellis, PhD, Lisa Murphy, VMD and Michael Povelones, PhD will speak on Monday, September 20 at 4-5 pm. Register: https://bit.ly/3haPcxD Questions? Contact Brittany Tinsley, 215-746-2421; bscan@vet.upenn.edu