Igor Brodsky, PhD, Named Chair of the Department of Pathobiology at Penn Vet

By: Hannah Kleckner Hall Date: Aug 31, 2021

August 31, 2021 | Philadelphia – Igor Brodsky, AB, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) effective October 1, 2021.

Brodsky joined the Penn Vet faculty in 2011 as an Assistant Professor of Pathobiology. Six years later in 2017, he was promoted to Associate Professor with a secondary appointment as Associate Professor of Microbiology in the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

In his lab, Brodsky’s research interests focus on the interplay of bacterial virulence mechanisms and host innate immune recognition strategies, including how bacterial pathogens are sensed by host cells, how this sensing contributes to antimicrobial immune defense, and how bacterial pathogens evade innate immune recognition. Brodsky also serves as a member of several graduate groups and interdisciplinary research groups at Penn including the Immunology Graduate Group (Executive Committee and Vice Chair from 2018-2021); Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group; Institute for Immunology (Executive Committee), and Penn Center for Genome Integrity (Core Leadership Council member).

“Igor is an eminent scientist, recognized around the world for his work,” said James Lok, MS, PhD, professor of parasitology and interim chair of pathobiology. “He is also a born mentor and educator who sincerely embraces all of the diverse missions of the department which span education, basic and applied research, and clinical service.”

Among his many awards and honors, Brodsky is a recipient of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease Award and the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. In addition, Brodsky provides extensive service to the community as a member of the Editorial Board for PLoS Pathogens and Infection and Immunity, and as a member of NIH study section panels. He is a past participant in the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Faculty Pathways Program, a leadership training program sponsored by the Provost’s Office.

“Dr. Brodsky’s accomplishments as a scientist, researcher, and mentor, and expertise in the fields of immunology and infectious disease make him an ideal fit to lead the department forward and serve as a key member of the school’s senior leadership team,” added Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine.

Brodsky received his AB from Princeton University in Molecular Biology and his PhD from Stanford University in Microbiology and Immunology. He completed his post-doctoral fellowships at both Stanford University and Yale University.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 34,600 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,200 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 18,700 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.