Internationally Recognized Parasitologist from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Named 2027 Recipient of Molecular Parasitology Award
Boris Striepen, PhD, Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, has received the Alice & C.C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The honor recognizes established investigators who are making seminal contributions to the field of molecular parasitology.
Striepen’s award was one of nine annual honors announced Tuesday by the ASBMB. Society members nominated the winners for their significant contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as for training and supporting emerging scientists.
“This year’s award recipients exemplify the breadth and impact of our scientific community,” said ASBMB President Edward Eisenstein. “Their discoveries are advancing molecular life science, from foundational understanding to translational development, while their leadership, teaching, and mentorship are helping shape the next generation of scientists. ASBMB is honored to recognize their extraordinary contributions.”
Striepen’s research program focuses on Cryptosporidium parvum, which causes cryptosporidiosis, a zoonotic disease that causes diarrhea in millions of children and adults each year, especially in low-resource countries with poor-quality drinking water. Striepen seeks to understand the interactions between Cryptosporidium and the host immune system by using innovative strategies to genetically manipulate both.
“Striepen’s work transformed the Cryptosporidium field by developing genetic tools and experimental models that enabled researchers to study the parasite’s biology, identify drug and vaccine targets, and advance treatment development,” said the ASBMB in its awards announcement.
His achievements have garnered him numerous awards, including the 2015 William Trager Award from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and a National Institutes of Health Method to Extend Research in Time, or MERIT, Award.
While pursuing his PhD, Striepen studied with Ralph Schwarz at Philipps Universität Marburg. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship with David Roos at the Department of Biology in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. Striepen’s career advanced at the University of Georgia to Professor, and then to endowed Distinguished Research Professor in the Departments of Cellular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology. He also served as a prominent faculty member in the University of Georgia’s Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases. Striepen joined Penn Vet’s Department of Pathobiology in 2017 as Professor of Pathobiology.
He will present his work at the 2027 ASBMB Annual Meeting, taking place in April 2027 in Boston.
Related News
Penn Vet Breaks Ground on State-Funded Laboratory to Speed Diagnoses and Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Animal and Public Health
New $94M state-funded facility will unite New Bolton Center’s animal diagnostic and equine toxicology labs to expand capacity for animal and public health across Pennsylvania.
Rare Russian Trotter Gets Relief Through a Pioneering Penn Vet Surgery
A filly from a rare Russian breed was born with a condition that seemed to pre-destine her to suffer. But then a determined equine advocate and a pioneering Penn Vet…
One Health, One Campus: Penn Faculty Bring Global Lessons Home from Lisbon
At the 9th World One Health Congress, more than 1,300 scientists, policymakers, and practitioners gathered to advance One Health collaboration.
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 30,000 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 6,300 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 22,400 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.