The Wistar Institute
@wistar.org
Wistar is the nation's first independent biomedical research center. We focus on cancer, infectious disease & vaccine research to benefit human health.
Wistar scientists have developed a vaccine strategy that induced neutralizing antibodies with a single shot in a preclinical study—a first-ever achievement.
Led by Dr. Amelia Escolano, this breakthrough could lead to simpler, faster, and cheaper vaccination protocols globally. bit.ly/4ceGGdY
Led by Dr. Amelia Escolano, this breakthrough could lead to simpler, faster, and cheaper vaccination protocols globally. bit.ly/4ceGGdY
Wistar Scientists Demonstrate First-Ever Single-Shot HIV Vaccine Neutralization Success
Wistar Scientists Demonstrate First-Ever Single-Shot HIV Vaccine Neutralization Success Press Releases
www.wistar.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Wistar scientists have developed a vaccine strategy that induced neutralizing antibodies with a single shot in a preclinical study—a first-ever achievement.
Led by Dr. Amelia Escolano, this breakthrough could lead to simpler, faster, and cheaper vaccination protocols globally. bit.ly/4ceGGdY
Led by Dr. Amelia Escolano, this breakthrough could lead to simpler, faster, and cheaper vaccination protocols globally. bit.ly/4ceGGdY
Thanks to our speakers Dr. Jason DeHart and Dr. Jason Lamontagne and everyone who joined the latest Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum! Want to connect with Philly’s biopharma community? Join the next PDDF on March 18, 4–6 p.m. Learn more: bit.ly/4bcdm7B
January 22, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Thanks to our speakers Dr. Jason DeHart and Dr. Jason Lamontagne and everyone who joined the latest Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum! Want to connect with Philly’s biopharma community? Join the next PDDF on March 18, 4–6 p.m. Learn more: bit.ly/4bcdm7B
🚨 Last chance to register! Join us Jan 21, 4–6 p.m. at The Wistar Institute for the Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum. Hear from leaders in biopharma and connect with peers shaping the future of medicine. Register: bit.ly/4hQgasj
January 16, 2026 at 1:37 PM
🚨 Last chance to register! Join us Jan 21, 4–6 p.m. at The Wistar Institute for the Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum. Hear from leaders in biopharma and connect with peers shaping the future of medicine. Register: bit.ly/4hQgasj
Congrats to Dr. Italo Tempera on his promotion to Professor!
After postdoc training in Wistar's Lieberman lab, he launched his own lab at Temple before returning to Wistar in 2020. Since then, he's published in top‑tier journals and had major grant success.
👏 Congrats! bit.ly/49mwnTv
After postdoc training in Wistar's Lieberman lab, he launched his own lab at Temple before returning to Wistar in 2020. Since then, he's published in top‑tier journals and had major grant success.
👏 Congrats! bit.ly/49mwnTv
Italo Tempera, Ph.D.
Italo Tempera, Ph.D. Our Scientists
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January 15, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Congrats to Dr. Italo Tempera on his promotion to Professor!
After postdoc training in Wistar's Lieberman lab, he launched his own lab at Temple before returning to Wistar in 2020. Since then, he's published in top‑tier journals and had major grant success.
👏 Congrats! bit.ly/49mwnTv
After postdoc training in Wistar's Lieberman lab, he launched his own lab at Temple before returning to Wistar in 2020. Since then, he's published in top‑tier journals and had major grant success.
👏 Congrats! bit.ly/49mwnTv
Hear from Federica Severi, a pre-doctoral trainee in Dr. Dan Claiborne's lab, about her work researching CAR T cells as a therapy against HIV. “What we do here is immunotherapy, where we make the immune system more powerful against infection … like HIV”
August 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Hear from Federica Severi, a pre-doctoral trainee in Dr. Dan Claiborne's lab, about her work researching CAR T cells as a therapy against HIV. “What we do here is immunotherapy, where we make the immune system more powerful against infection … like HIV”
Hear from Wistar predoctoral fellow Maya Foster about what fuels her passion for science. "I work with actual cancer cells -- we do actual cancer research. Our work is quite important."
June 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Hear from Wistar predoctoral fellow Maya Foster about what fuels her passion for science. "I work with actual cancer cells -- we do actual cancer research. Our work is quite important."
Wistar was proud to host Life Science Cares Philadelphia for a tour! As a valued partner, they support our work to expand access to life science careers for those in HS, college and beyond.
June 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Wistar was proud to host Life Science Cares Philadelphia for a tour! As a valued partner, they support our work to expand access to life science careers for those in HS, college and beyond.
The American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy Annual Meeting was an amazing opportunity for Wistar scientists Drs. Patel, Gary and Parzych, & predoc Nick Tursi, in the lab of Dr. David Weiner, to share their important research on such a huge stage!
May 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy Annual Meeting was an amazing opportunity for Wistar scientists Drs. Patel, Gary and Parzych, & predoc Nick Tursi, in the lab of Dr. David Weiner, to share their important research on such a huge stage!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Xiaoyu Zhou as assistant professor in Wistar’s Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center! Her cutting-edge work in immune cell communication & CAR T-cell engineering is a great addition to Wistar’s collaborative work advancing cancer & infectious disease therapies. bit.ly/4iLDypU
May 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Xiaoyu Zhou as assistant professor in Wistar’s Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center! Her cutting-edge work in immune cell communication & CAR T-cell engineering is a great addition to Wistar’s collaborative work advancing cancer & infectious disease therapies. bit.ly/4iLDypU
In a new collaborative paper from Wistar’s Salvino lab, the Penn Perelman School of Medicine, and the University of Leeds, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, researchers have discovered a new molecular glue that combats dysregulated inflammatory signaling: bit.ly/4lf941M
April 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In a new collaborative paper from Wistar’s Salvino lab, the Penn Perelman School of Medicine, and the University of Leeds, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, researchers have discovered a new molecular glue that combats dysregulated inflammatory signaling: bit.ly/4lf941M
Three Wistar trainees were recently recognized for excellence in science. Dr. Ignacio Rodriguez Relano received the 2024 Ching Jer Chern Postdoctoral Fellowship, while Drs. Phillip Wulfridge & Brennah Murphy Britten received the 2024 & 2025 Ching Jer Chern Memorial Awards. Congratulations!
March 31, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Three Wistar trainees were recently recognized for excellence in science. Dr. Ignacio Rodriguez Relano received the 2024 Ching Jer Chern Postdoctoral Fellowship, while Drs. Phillip Wulfridge & Brennah Murphy Britten received the 2024 & 2025 Ching Jer Chern Memorial Awards. Congratulations!
Thanks to the Justamere Foundation for awarding Wistar’s Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center a 2-year, $150K grant. The grant supports Wistar’s BTT for ALL in PHL Program that helps residents of Philadelphia train for secure jobs in the region’s thriving biomedical sector.
March 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Thanks to the Justamere Foundation for awarding Wistar’s Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center a 2-year, $150K grant. The grant supports Wistar’s BTT for ALL in PHL Program that helps residents of Philadelphia train for secure jobs in the region’s thriving biomedical sector.
On World TB Day, we shine a light on the deadliest infectious disease in the world. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it has been around for centuries and has been tracked in the U.S. since the 1950s. Learn more about this disease and why it’s making a resurgence now: bit.ly/4iAX6ho
March 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
On World TB Day, we shine a light on the deadliest infectious disease in the world. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it has been around for centuries and has been tracked in the U.S. since the 1950s. Learn more about this disease and why it’s making a resurgence now: bit.ly/4iAX6ho
Wistar recently unveiled 2 new internal grants that will provide valuable funding opportunities to early-career researchers to foster collaborations & eventually establish independent research programs: bit.ly/4bV9zK8
The Wistar Institute Announces Two New Internal Career Development Awards to Support Early Career Scientists
The Wistar Institute Announces Two New Internal Career Development Awards to Support Early Career Scientists Featured News
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March 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Wistar recently unveiled 2 new internal grants that will provide valuable funding opportunities to early-career researchers to foster collaborations & eventually establish independent research programs: bit.ly/4bV9zK8
Wistar's Dr. Kristy Shuda McGuire strongly believes, “To learn science, you need to do science.” She comes from a long line of teachers & has her hand on the pulse of the latest training needed for next-gen science careers. Learn more: bit.ly/4iJaDD6
The Wistar Institute’s Commitment to Teaching the Next Generation of Biomedical Researchers
The Wistar Institute’s Commitment to Teaching the Next Generation of Biomedical Researchers Featured News
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March 13, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Wistar's Dr. Kristy Shuda McGuire strongly believes, “To learn science, you need to do science.” She comes from a long line of teachers & has her hand on the pulse of the latest training needed for next-gen science careers. Learn more: bit.ly/4iJaDD6
Triple-negative breast cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer that affects 10-15% of breast cancer patients in the U.S., defined by the absence of 3 receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. Continued cancer research is essential to overcoming this challenge. #triplenegativebreastcancerday
March 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Triple-negative breast cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer that affects 10-15% of breast cancer patients in the U.S., defined by the absence of 3 receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. Continued cancer research is essential to overcoming this challenge. #triplenegativebreastcancerday
Wistar is pleased to announce the recruitment of its newest faculty member, Dr. Colby Maldini, to the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center. The Maldini lab will expand his work on CAR T cells as part of a strategy to cure HIV and other viral threats. bit.ly/4gWzcv2
The Wistar Institute Announces Recruitment of First Caspar Wistar Fellow to Join HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center
The Wistar Institute Announces Recruitment of First Caspar Wistar Fellow to Join HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center Press Releases
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February 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Wistar is pleased to announce the recruitment of its newest faculty member, Dr. Colby Maldini, to the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center. The Maldini lab will expand his work on CAR T cells as part of a strategy to cure HIV and other viral threats. bit.ly/4gWzcv2
New preclinical research from Wistar’s @filippov81.bsky.social published in Cancer Discovery shows how brain cancer reprograms immune cells to work for the cancer rather than against it. Their discovery also enables a potential treatment to disrupt the reprogramming process. bit.ly/4ijBIMT
The Wistar Institute Discovers a Promising Target in Brain Cancer
The Wistar Institute Discovers a Promising Target in Brain Cancer Press Releases
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February 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
New preclinical research from Wistar’s @filippov81.bsky.social published in Cancer Discovery shows how brain cancer reprograms immune cells to work for the cancer rather than against it. Their discovery also enables a potential treatment to disrupt the reprogramming process. bit.ly/4ijBIMT
The Wistar Institute's Montaner lab was pleased to host members of the HIV Advocacy for Cure Academy, who received a tour of the Institute and Dr. Montaner's laboratory facilities where scientists continue their work to seek a cure for HIV.
February 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The Wistar Institute's Montaner lab was pleased to host members of the HIV Advocacy for Cure Academy, who received a tour of the Institute and Dr. Montaner's laboratory facilities where scientists continue their work to seek a cure for HIV.
Some questions Wistar's EHS head Roma Maraj-Owens thinks about a lot: “What are your experimental procedures? How can we protect our employees and the environment?” Read more about how she ensures institutional safety in her Q&A: bit.ly/41lh0FP
Roma Maraj-Owen Makes Sure Wistar Lab Health & Safety is Her Top Priority
Roma Maraj-Owen Makes Sure Wistar Lab Health & Safety is Her Top Priority Featured News
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February 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Some questions Wistar's EHS head Roma Maraj-Owens thinks about a lot: “What are your experimental procedures? How can we protect our employees and the environment?” Read more about how she ensures institutional safety in her Q&A: bit.ly/41lh0FP
In their second “Top Read” paper in less than a year, Wistar’s Montaner lab has published the successful preclinical results of their new anti-HIV approach: NuKES, or Natural Killer Enhancement Strategy, which targets the viral reservoirs standing in the way of a cure. bit.ly/4hF0UNZ
Scientists at The Wistar Institute’s HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center Develop New Natural Killer Cell Strategy to Target HIV
Scientists at The Wistar Institute’s HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center Develop New Natural Killer Cell Strategy to Target HIV Press Releases
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February 17, 2025 at 5:27 PM
In their second “Top Read” paper in less than a year, Wistar’s Montaner lab has published the successful preclinical results of their new anti-HIV approach: NuKES, or Natural Killer Enhancement Strategy, which targets the viral reservoirs standing in the way of a cure. bit.ly/4hF0UNZ
Many thanks to @jenheemstra.bsky.social of Washington University in St. Louis for joining The Wistar Institute as part of the Distinguished Lectures in Cancer Research series, to speak to the importance of intentional, high-quality mentorship in the sciences. Read more: bit.ly/41ao9d3
February 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Many thanks to @jenheemstra.bsky.social of Washington University in St. Louis for joining The Wistar Institute as part of the Distinguished Lectures in Cancer Research series, to speak to the importance of intentional, high-quality mentorship in the sciences. Read more: bit.ly/41ao9d3
In a new paper, Wistar’s Villanueva lab has discovered a new strategy to treat melanomas harboring mutations in the NRAS gene that don’t respond to MAPK inhibitors. Their treatment kills these mutant melanoma cells in preclinical testing with FDA-approved drugs. Our story: bit.ly/411yfwB
The Wistar Institute Scientists Discover New Weapon to Fight Treatment-Resistant Melanoma
The Wistar Institute Scientists Discover New Weapon to Fight Treatment-Resistant Melanoma Press Releases
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February 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In a new paper, Wistar’s Villanueva lab has discovered a new strategy to treat melanomas harboring mutations in the NRAS gene that don’t respond to MAPK inhibitors. Their treatment kills these mutant melanoma cells in preclinical testing with FDA-approved drugs. Our story: bit.ly/411yfwB
Wistar is hiring! Friday 2/7, join us at Temple University's job fair from 11-2 pm at the Howard Gittis Student Center to learn about our openings for postdoctoral fellowships and research assistant roles throughout more than 30 labs. Hope to see you there! No registration required.
February 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Wistar is hiring! Friday 2/7, join us at Temple University's job fair from 11-2 pm at the Howard Gittis Student Center to learn about our openings for postdoctoral fellowships and research assistant roles throughout more than 30 labs. Hope to see you there! No registration required.
Thanks to a new research grant from the Melanoma Research Foundation, The Wistar Institute’s Dr. Kazuko Nishikura is embarking on a project she hopes will serve as a proof of concept for a cancer treatment decades in the making. Our story: bit.ly/3WKOtYs
The Wistar Institute’s Dr. Kazuko Nishikura Launches Preclinical Testing of New Melanoma Immunotherapy
The Wistar Institute’s Dr. Kazuko Nishikura Launches Preclinical Testing of New Melanoma Immunotherapy Featured News
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February 4, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Thanks to a new research grant from the Melanoma Research Foundation, The Wistar Institute’s Dr. Kazuko Nishikura is embarking on a project she hopes will serve as a proof of concept for a cancer treatment decades in the making. Our story: bit.ly/3WKOtYs