Dana-Farber researcher selected to join the Pew Scholars Program

22 scientists to pursue innovative biomedical research and receive 4 years of funding

The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced that Philip Kranzusch, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is among 22 early-career researchers who have been selected to join the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. These promising scientists will receive four years of funding to invest in exploratory research to advance human health and tackle some of biomedicine’s most challenging questions.

Kranzusch, assistant professor of microbiology in the Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology at Dana-Farber, will investigate how small RNA molecules can activate an immune response to pathogens or cancer.

“Pew is steadfastly committed to supporting talented researchers working to unveil the mechanisms of biology and disease,” said Rebecca W. Rimel, Pew’s president and CEO. “Investing in these scholars at the beginning stages of their careers, when financial resources may be limited, can help drive significant scientific discoveries.”

The 2019 class of scholars—all of whom hold assistant professor positions—are new members of an active community of nearly 1,000 scientists who have received awards from Pew beginning in 1985. Current scholars come together annually to share their research and gain insights from peers working in other fields.

“Pew’s continued investment in scientific discovery allows promising researchers to explore new and creative ways to answer some of the most pressing questions surrounding human health and disease,” said Craig C. Mello, Ph.D., a 1995 Pew scholar, 2006 Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine, and chair of the national advisory committee for the scholars program. “I’m confident that this new class of scientists will leverage these resources and help shape the future of groundbreaking biomedical research.”

The 2019 class of scholars was chosen from 178 applicants who were nominated by leading academic institutions and researchers across the United States. This year’s class includes scientists investigating connections between embryos and their mothers, why only certain species of ticks act as carriers of Lyme disease, and how the brain stores sensory information, among other questions.

View the full list of the 22 2019 Pew scholars in the biomedical sciences.