Penn Vet Scientists Earn National Honors for Breakthrough Research in Virology and Cancer Innovation

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is celebrating two faculty members whose work is advancing the frontiers of infectious disease and cancer research.

Louise Moncla, PhD, has been recognized by the American Society for Virology for her contributions to understanding viral evolution and transmission, while Timour Baslan, PhD, has received support from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation for pioneering innovative approaches to discover novel cancer therapies. Together, these honors underscore Penn Vet’s leadership in accelerating discoveries across the biomedical sciences.

Louise Moncla, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathobiology
2026 Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award

Dr. Moncla leads a research program focused on how zoonotic viruses emerge and spread at the animal–human interface, with a current emphasis on highly pathogenic H5Nx avian influenza viruses. These avian viruses circulate naturally in wild migratory birds but are establishing persistent circulation in domestic poultry, increasing the risk of sporadic, potentially severe human infections. By combining computational analyses with genomic data and virologic validation, her lab seeks to uncover the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms driving viral emergence and transmission, aiming to improve surveillance, predictive modeling, and outbreak prevention strategies.

Moncla’s 2026 Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award recognizes her scholarship and growing influence in the field of virology. She is also the recipient of the 2025 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. In 2024, the Pew Charitable Trusts named Moncla a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.

Timour Baslan, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
2026 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award

Dr. Baslan investigates the genetic and biological underpinnings of cancer with a focus on a class of mutations known as copy number alterations. By integrating advanced sequencing technologies, computational analytics, and experimental cancer models, Baslan seeks to develop new strategies for early detection and therapeutic targeting. In his previous work, Baslan identified surprisingly predictable patterns by which the most aggressive cancers develop. His current work seeks to further expand an understanding of how cancer genomes evolve in breast and pancreatic cancers, as well as in acute leukemias and sarcomas.

In 2024, the Forbeck Foundation named Baslan a Forbeck Scholar, a cohort of exceptionally accomplished, early-career cancer researchers. He is also the recipient of the 2023 Tri-Institutional Prize for Junior Investigators, awarded by faculty from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine as well as the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) NEXTGEN Star award.

The Damon Runyon–Rachleff Innovation Award supports early-career scientists pursuing high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential to transform the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer. The award is intended for projects in the early stages of investigation with the potential for significant impact in the cancer field.