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Changing Lives Together

For more than 125 years, The Wistar Institute — the nation’s first independent biomedical research institute — has pursued discoveries that save lives and rechart the future of human health.

With your help, we’re pushing the boundaries of science and improving lives.

Over the last year, donors and funding partners have joined Wistar to advance a future for lifesaving, world-changing discoveries in science and medicine.

As this report demonstrates, your generosity fosters scientific potential, brings ideas to life, breaks down barriers and impacts lives around the globe. Your investment in Wistar science enables our scientists to address the medical needs of today and build a healthier world for tomorrow. Thank you.

The Power of
Philanthropy in 2020

You were one of

0

Donors

You were one of

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MILLION

Annual Gifts

Your gift had an immediate impact. Donors who give annually make an immediate difference and help address emerging and high-priority needs.

0

Loyal donors who have supported Wistar each year for the past 5 years

0

First-time donors

Endowed Gifts

Your gift has an enduring impact. Donors to endowed funds provide the Institute with a steady, predictable and perpetual source of income.

$0

Value of The Wistar Institute endowments (at the close of 2020)

$0

Made available in 2020 from endowment funds to support research and training

See Our Generous Donors

The Power
of Recruitment

Medical breakthroughs are realized in research labs, disseminated in impactful peer-reviewed journal articles and eventually transformed into life-changing therapies, vaccines and diagnostics. But those breakthroughs originate in minds: the creative, courageous minds of our research faculty. Expanding our scientific talent pool and enhancing its multidisciplinary expertise within Wistar’s Cancer Center and Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center are focal points of our new strategic plan.

The Impact of Our Junior Faculty

Early-career investigators — those just beginning at the assistant professor level — are at the height of their scientific productivity and creativity, and often generate the bold sparks that lead to transformative scientific research. Therefore, attracting the most brilliant scientists and persuading them to launch their laboratories at Wistar positions the Institute ahead of a trend that is becoming increasingly popular in many research Institutions. But what sets Wistar apart is our commitment to mentor and support these early-career scientists, promoting and ensuring their success.

Over the last five years, we tracked five of our early-career faculty from the start of their careers at Wistar. Each one of them has secured significant federal and non-federal funding, published their work in leading peer-reviewed journals and made tremendous scientific impact.

By the numbers
Federal Funding

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Non-Federal Funding

$0

Number of Publications

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Our Junior Faculty

Our Newest Recruits

This year, to further strengthen our benches, Wistar faculty and leadership worked collaboratively to recruit four new outstanding early-career faculty members.

Motivated by the Hard Questions in Cancer Research, Noam Auslander, Ph.D., Forges New Paths in Computational Biology

Assistant Professor, Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program,
The Wistar Institute Cancer Center

Bringing Together Cutting-Edge Technologies, Daniel Claiborne, Ph.D., Charts a Course for Solving Puzzles About HIV Infection

Caspar Wistar Fellow, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center

Destined for Science, Amelia Escolano, Ph.D., Develops New Vaccination Strategies to Outsmart HIV-1 and Other Highly Mutating Pathogens

Assistant Professor, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center

Studying Immunology and Cancer, Nan Zhang, Ph.D., Delves into the Mysteries of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Assistant Professor, Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program,
The Wistar Institute Cancer Center

Expanding the Caspar Wistar Fellows Program

Two years ago, philanthropists Doug and Peggy Briggs established the Caspar Wistar Fellowship to attract the most talented junior scientists from across the nation and beyond. Read more about this unique program and its three appointed fellows.

About the FellowShip

A Lasting Legacy

A Wistar endowment saves lives through science. Establishing a chair for a professor at The Wistar Institute is one of the most valuable investments someone can make to advance biomedical research that improves human health. The newly designated Martha Stengel Miller Professorship will support a Wistar faculty member working in the area of HIV research. This planned gift spans three generations of Wistar engagement, tracing all the way back to Dr. Alfred Stengel, Wistar’s fifth president/board chair.

About the Donors

Global Health
& Partnerships

Leading from its core values of determination, daring and humanity, The Wistar Institute fosters a local and global community that is unified by bold scientific thinking, leadership and a collaborative spirit. Thought leaders from nonprofits, healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, governments and other agencies of influence choose to work collaboratively with Wistar scientists to accelerate the creation of new therapies for patients worldwide.

Throughout its history, Wistar has been known as a value-adding partner that collaborates with people from diverse geographies, research areas and backgrounds to solve problems. Wistar’s advantage as a nimble, transparent and small research institute, with little bureaucracy, promotes collaboration and engagement with a wide audience.

We are committed to leveraging our international experience and engaging our partners to accelerate a path to therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. This map illustrates Dr. Luis Montaner’s collaborative local and global network that is advancing research toward a cure for HIV-1.

Local and Global Research Collaborations in the Montaner Lab

Progress Toward a Cure for HIV Research

About the Lab

Making Vaccines More Accessible to Improve Global Health

Last year, The Wistar Institute and Batavia Biosciences in the Netherlands launched a strategic collaboration to increase the global distribution of a critical vaccine — Wistar’s rubella vaccine seed stock. This was made possible with a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

About the Collaboration

Training the
Next Generation
of Scientists

The goals of The Wistar Institute’s education and training programs are twofold: First, to create a rigorously trained and sustainable workforce for the life sciences in our region and beyond; and second, to create a diverse talent pipeline that advances groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research. Wistar laboratories have long been beacons for education and training in our region and around the world. Our Institute hosts the entire continuum of research training, from high school students, to undergraduate and graduate students, to postdoctoral fellows. Wistar education and training programs are numerous, impactful and highly regarded nationally and internationally, providing a foundation for further expanding our educational mission. The future is bright as we expand and scale our successes, due in part to generous foundation and individual donor funding.

Ebony N. Gary, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow

Through her work with DNA vaccines, Gary hopes to find new ways to improve vaccine efficacy and solve challenging global health issues.

WATCH HER STORY

Pratik Bhojnagarwala, Predoctoral Trainee

After losing two family members to the disease, Bhojnagarwala is working to design personalized cancer vaccines for all patients.

WATCH HIS STORY

Michael Zhu, Predoctoral Trainee

Zhu is employing next generation technology in his work to create a COVID vaccine that uses nanoparticles.

WATCH HIS STORY

    The Expansion of Wistar Training Programs

    “If there is one thing that we learned from the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that we need more science, more scientists and more innovators in STEM careers and the life sciences. Like we always say at Wistar, science is the answer.”

    Dario C. Altieri, M.D.

    President and CEO, director of the Cancer
    Center, and the Robert and Penny Fox
    Distinguished Professor of The Wistar Institute

    Accelerating Students’ Path to Becoming Laboratory Technicians

    The Wistar Institute received a transformative National Science Foundation grant to expand its Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program. The accelerated, one-summer pre-apprenticeship training will allow Wistar to continue to train a diverse and underrepresented student population not generally exposed to the field of life sciences research.

    About the Program
    Cheyney University Students Kick Off Their Biomedical Research Journey at Wistar

    In February, Wistar welcomed the inaugural group of Cheyney University students enrolled in the biomedical research and training program co-developed in 2020 by the nation’s first biomedical research institute and the nation’s first historically black college and university.

    About the journey
    Our Educational Partnership with Leiden University Medical Center

    The Wistar-Schoemaker Postdoctoral Fellowship is set to expand Wistar’s international partnerships in research and education, promoting scientific and cultural exchange between research investigators in the Netherlands and the United States. These two institutions are forging a valuable international collaboration based on training and emerging research alignment.

    ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

    Our Donors

    Powerful support — your support — can expand and accelerate our progress, bringing lifesaving breakthroughs to reality years sooner. Thank you for being a partner in our research community.

    Lifetime Giving
    $1 million+

    The Wistar Institute gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, foundations and corporations who made contributions from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020:

    *Deceased

    $10 million+
    • Anonymous
    • Robert* and Penny Fox
    • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    • The Pew Charitable Trusts
    • Wellcome Trust
    $5 million+
    • Anonymous
    • The G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation
    • W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
    $1 million+
    • Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation
    • American Cancer Society
    • Anonymous
    • Mr. and Mrs. Douglas S. Brig
    • Ira Brind and Stacey Spector
    • Ellen and Ronald Caplan
    • Mrs. Eleanor Davis
    • The Ellison Medical Foundation
    • The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
    • Innisfree
    $1 million+
    • Herbert Kean, M.D. and The Honorable Joyce S. Kean
    • F. M. Kirby Foundation, Inc.
    • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
    • The Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy
    • Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation
    • Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
    • Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development
    • Philadelphia Foundation
    • PTS Foundation
    • Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer
    $1 million+
    • Sibley Memorial Hospital
    • Tobin Family Foundation
    • The V Foundation for Cancer Research
    • Daniel Wheeler and Amy Fox

      Annual Giving
      $250+

      The Wistar Institute gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, foundations and corporations who made contributions from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020:

      *Deceased

      $1 million+
      • Anonymous (2)
        $500,000+
        • Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation
        • The G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation
        $100,000+
        • American Cancer Society
        • Anonymous
        • Basser Research Center for BRCA
        • Mr. and Mrs. Douglas S. Briggs
        • Brown Brothers Harriman
        • Dr. Susan Dillon and Dr. William Wong
        • Dr. Jerry M. Francesco, in memory of Lucille Francesco
        • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
        • Joseph and Jane Goldblum
        • The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
        $100,000+
        • Innisfree
        • Mrs. Diane M. Lafferty
        • Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
        • The Pew Charitable Trusts
        • Seymour S. Preston III* and Jean E.H. Preston
        • PTS Foundation
        • Ed Sickles Family
        • Simons Foundation
        • Tobin Family Foundation
        $50,000+
        • American Heart Association
        • Ira Brind and Stacey Spector
        • The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation, Inc.
        • Ellen and Ronald Caplan
        • Mr. Clayton H. Downes*
        • Emily’s Entourage
        • Gray Charitable Trust
        • Marcy Gringlas and Joel Greenberg
        • Ruth and Richard Horowitz
        • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
        $50,000+
        • Susan and Graham McDonald
        • Mizutani Foundation
        • Philadelphia Foundation
        • PNC
        • Daniel Wheeler and Amy Fox
        $25,000+
        • amfAR
        • CEPI
        • Flyers Charities
        • Robert* and Penny Fox
        • Janssen Biotech, Inc.
        • Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Kestenbaum
        • The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
        • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
        • Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation
        • The McLean Contributionship
        $25,000+
        • Office Depot, Inc.
        • Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer
        $10,000+
        • Steve Abramson and Care
        • American Association for Cancer Research
        • Mr. David Anderson and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Anderson
        • June H. Chern
        • Citizens Bank
        • Dr. Morton Collins
        • Brian and Elizabeth Dovey
        • Mr. and Mrs. Mark Fishman
        • The Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy
        • The Anne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter III Family Foundation
        $10,000+
        • Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Goodman
        • Dr. and Mrs. G.S. Peter Gross
        • The Hassel Foundation
        • Herbert Kean, M.D., and
          The Honorable Joyce S. Kean
        • Dr. Frederic Kremer
        • Perry Lerner and Lenore Steiner
        • Mr. James Lovett and Ms. Robin Halpern
        • Mr. and Mrs. Abraham L. Morris
        • Mr. Arthur M. Pappas
        • Helen and David Pudlin
        $10,000+
        • Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Rock
        • Martha W. Rogers Charitable Trust
        • The Mary & Emanuel Rosenfeld Foundation
        • Emily Brown Shields
        • William A. Slaughter, Esq.
        • Mr. James Troyer and Ms. Kathleen Callan*
        • Constance and Sankey Williams
        $5,000+
        • Robert and Marta Adelson
        • Mr. and Mrs. Max M. Berger
        • Ms. Stacy Chern and Mr. Ty Wu
        • Ms. Shu Chu
        • Crewcial Partners, LLC
        • Mrs. Margaret F. Cristofalo
        • Mrs. Eleanor Davis
        • Joseph Grusemeyer
        • Mr. Eli Tobin Kestenbaum
        • Maida R. Milone
        $5,000+
        • NAXION
        • Mr. Ken Nimblett, in memory of his husband Rusty Miller
        • Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Pesce
        • Inés and William* Rhoads
        • Mrs. Marianne Rhoads*
        • Mr. and Mrs. David Rocker
        • Mr. Walter Sall
        • The Scholler Foundation
        • Ms. Judith E. Soltz, Esq. and Mr. Richard S. Belas
        • Susan R. and John W. Sullivan Foundation
        $5,000+
        • Mr. James Wistar and Ms. Patricia Smith
        $2,500+
        • Mr. Ken Davis and Ms. Susan Charleston
        • Mr. David Tobin Kestenbaum
        • Mr. Jacob Kestenbaum
        • Ms. Sara Kestenbaum
        • Joseph and Monica Robinson
        • Mr. and Mrs. Anthony L. Schaeffer
        • Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Teesdale
        • Willis Towers Watson
        • Mr. Gil Wistar
        $1,000+
        • Ms. Mary E. Bak
        • Mr. Thomas J. Baldoni
        • Ms. Jennifer Faith Bellis
        • Mr. Peter A. Benoliel and Ms. Willo Carey
        • Carrie and John Boxer
        • Mr. Paul Brock
        • Mrs. Barbara Cantor
        • The Catherwood Family Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation
        • Dr. Catherine Chern and Mr. John Auyeung
        • Cigna Corporation
        $1,000+
        • Mr. and Mrs. Marc Duey
        • Lisa Dykstra and David Rode
        • Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Fenkel
        • Fisher Scientific
        • Ms. Nina Fite
        • Dr. L. Patrick Gage and Mrs. Irina W. Gage
        • Bruce A. and Gale Gillespie
        • Ms. Carrie Gish and Mr. Marc Rockford
        • Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hao
        • Dr. Joy Heller and Mr. David J. Halpern
        $1,000+
        • Dr. and Mrs. Scott H. Herbert
        • Mr. and Mrs. Laurence M. Holbert
        • The Honorable and Mrs. Harris N. Hollin
        • Lawrence Hollin
        • Ms. Anne Humes
        • Dr. Brian Keith and Dr. Celeste Simon
        • Mr. and Mrs. Leonard M. Klehr
        • Ms. Marilyn Kutler
        • Mr. and Mrs. Tor F. Larson
        • Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Levitties
        $1,000+
        • Mr. James C. Li and Ms. Audrey T. Yeung
        • Life Sciences Pennsylvania
        • Mara Restoration, Inc.
        • Mr. J. Frederick Merz Jr. and Mrs. Lida W. Merz
        • Novak Strategic Advisors
        • Mr. William J. Reulbach and Ms. Lisa Bierly
        • Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Vail Rhoads
        • Ms. Cynthia Rugart
        • Mr. Karl F. Rugart
        • Mr. and Mrs. James R. Schaeffer
        $1,000+
        • Ms. Karen Schulze
        • Mr. and Mrs. Richard Seitchik
        • Kim Sichel, in memory of Margaret Leonard Brown
        • Dr. Leslye Silver
        • Mr. Richard D. Smith
        • Mr. and Mrs. Greg Stanbach
        • Mr. R. William Thomas
        • Mr. Argie Tidmore and Ms. Shelia Monaghan
        • Mr. Joseph Trainor
        • Webber Associates
        $1,000+
        • Donna and Lester Weinraub
        • Dr. Jamie Leigh Wells
        • Dr. John and Mrs. Emalee Welsh
        • Jane and Mark Wilf
        • Mr. and Mrs. Craig F. Zappetti

          1892 Legacy Society

          The Wistar Institute’s 1892 Legacy Society is a special group of supporters who have named Wistar in their estate plans or established deferred gifts in support of lifesaving biomedical research. Wistar appreciatively recognizes these members as of December 31, 2020:

          *Deceased

          • Anonymous, In memory of Bernard J. and Frances G. O’Neill
          • Francis X. Bresnan
          • Ira Brind and Stacey Spector
          • June H. Chern
          • Barbara* and Matthew Cohen
          • Mrs. Eleanor Davis
          • Dr. Kendra Eager
          • Ms. Joan M. Farkas and Mr. Bruce T. Downs
          • Mrs. Inez Flicker
          • Robert* and Penny Fox
            • Bruce A. and Gale Gillespie
            • Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ginsburg
            • Dr. Alfred E. Goldman
            • Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Goodman
            • Joseph Grusemeyer
            • Dr. and Mrs. Russel E. Kaufman
            • Herbert Kean, M.D. and
              The Honorable Joyce S. Kean
            • Mr. Joseph D. Kestenbaum
            • Ms. Deborah Komins
            • Mrs. Diane M. Lafferty
            • Glorita P. Maida
            • Mr. and Mrs. Kurtis L. Meyer
            • Mr. Ken Nimblett, in memory of his husband Rusty Miller
            • Ms. Rosetta Perno
            • Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Pesce
            • Seymour S. Preston III* and Jean E.H. Preston
            • Dr. Harry Rosenthal in Memory of the Rosenthal-Moellerich-Voehl Families
            • Mrs. Anne Faulkner Schoemaker
            • Emily Brown Shields
            • Mr. James Wistar

              Thank you

              Your philanthropy propels our efforts to prevent disease and improve global health. Because of your support, Wistar will continue its quest for life-saving vaccines and therapies that benefit humankind.

              Donate Download Report

              Changing Lives Together The Power of Recruitment Global Health and Partnerships Training the Next Generation of Scientists Our Donors