Newswise — PHILADELPHIA—(May 3, 2016)—The Wistar Institute is pleased to announce David B. Weiner, Ph.D., executive vice president of The Wistar Institute and director of The Wistar Institute Vaccine Center, is the recipient of the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Professorship for Cancer Research. A renowned molecular immunologist and pioneer in the design and delivery of DNA vaccines, his more than 30 years of trailblazing research in tumor, immunology and vaccine creation has contributed to important achievements in DNA vaccine development.

“The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Professorship for Cancer Research strengthens our Institute by providing freedom and flexibility for Wistar scientists to pursue creative, out-of-the-box projects that catalyze discovery,” said Dario C. Altieri, M.D., president and CEO of The Wistar Institute, director of The Wistar Institute Cancer Center, and the Robert and Penny Fox Distinguished Professor. “This support and investment in Wistar science is key to early-stage innovations and makes all the difference.”

Weiner’s high-caliber immunology research spans institutes, industry and government: on a national level Weiner was an FDA advisor for gene development and globally he is part of multinational research teams working to design vaccines for emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.

“The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust has had a longstanding commitment to support the exceptional biomedical research that takes place daily at The Wistar Institute,” said Louise Havens, medical grant administrator at the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust. “We believe so deeply in Wistar’s talented and ambitious investigators, like Dr. Weiner, as they push the frontiers of science making striking advances in cancer research.”

The Wistar Institute has been a W.W. Smith Charitable Trust grant recipient in basic, biomedical research in cancer, AIDS and heart disease for more than 30 years. Their support enables Wistar scientists to pursue ground-breaking research in new directions. The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation established through the will of William Wikoff Smith. Based in West Conshohocken, Pa., the Trust provides grants in three areas: medical research in cancer, heart disease and AIDS; financial aid for college students; and basic needs for children, families and the elderly.

The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the country, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org.