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Award-winning scientist Michael J. Sofia, PhD, who discovered the first reliably effective treatment for hepatitis C, has joined the Blumberg Institute as a distinguished professor and principal investigator.
Dr. Sofia co-founded Arbutus BioPharma Inc. and was its chief scientific officer for 12 years until his recent retirement. He is internationally recognized for his work on the discovery and development of drugs to treat and cure viral diseases including hepatitis C and hepatitis B. Dr. Sofia received the prestigious Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2016 for his work
on hepatitis C. More here.
| | 38th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) | | |
Blumberg Institute faculty and research staff participated in the 38th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) hosted by the International Society for Antiviral Research (ISAR) in Las Vegas earlier this year.
At the closing ceremony, Blumberg Professor Jinhong Chang, MD, PhD, vice president for drug development, was honored for her six years of service as the Secretary of Board of Directors of ISAR. Also, Nicholas Meanwell, PhD, distinguished professor at the Blumberg Institute, was awarded the 2024 Antonín Holý Memorial Award at the conference. More here.
| | Recent Blumberg Seminar: Ju-Tao Guo, MD, acting president & chief scientific officer, Blumberg Institute | | Blumberg Institute Acting President Ju-Tao Guo, MD, recently presented a seminar on "Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA and Implications in the Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B." We have posted a recording on YouTube. | | Lou Kassa awarded honorary doctorate, gives keynote speeches at Holy Family University's 2025 Commencement | | |
At the 2025 Holy Family University Commencement, Lou Kassa, CEO of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Blumberg Institute and Hepatitis B Foundation, was awarded a honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Kassa also delivered powerful keynote speeches at both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies. A recording of the latter is posted here.
| | Nicole E. Geracimos, MD, of Doylestown receives the first Education Impact Award from the Blumberg Institute | | |
Dr. Nicole E. Geracimos was honored at a June 26 event to raise funds for the high school and college academic programs conducted at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) in Doylestown.
A family physician and president of the medical staff at Doylestown Health, Dr. Geracimos comes to the PABC every year to speak to the high school students participating in the summer program. Those students come from numerous school districts in the region, including Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, New Hope Solebury, Palisades and Pennridge.
More here.
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Blumberg professor elected to
Hungarian National Academy of Sciences
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Richard G. Pestell, AO, MB, BS, PhD, MD, FRACP, Doctorus Honoris Causa, D. MedSci, FACP, FAAAS, FRSB, MBA, FRCP (Ireland), FRC (London), MAE, distinguished professor at the Blumberg Institute was recently elected to membership of the Hungarian National Academy of Sciences. Honorary Members of the Hungarian National Academy of Sciences are individuals, including both Hungarian and foreign scholars, who are recognized for their outstanding contributions to science and are elected for life.
More on our faculty can be found here.
| | The Blumberg Institute now accepts crypto donations! | | |
We now accept cryptocurrency donations through The Giving Block! This new option allows supporters to contribute to cutting-edge research in a fast, secure and tax-efficient way.
Visit here to learn more and make your crypto gift today!
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Congratulations to the Two Week Science Enrichment
Program high school students
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Presented within the context of hepatitis B and liver disease, the high school mstudents completed the scientific process, designing and executing hands-on experimental projects using molecular biology techniques. They also attended daily presentations with industry leaders.
More our on education programs can be found here.
| | Celebrating the Legacy of Baruch S. Blumberg: A Century of Impact | | | | |
Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg, Nobel Laureate and proud Philadelphian, saved hundreds of millions of lives around the world with his discovery of hepatitis B and development of a blood test and vaccine.
To commemorate what would be his 100th birthday, and to celebrate World Hepatitis Day, the American Philosophical Society and the Hepatitis B Foundation organized a community forum. Held at the APS in Philadelphia, the Forum included a keynote presentation from Sir Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN Worldwide followed by a panel discussion.
| | Recent Publications from Blumberg Institute faculty and staff | | Save the Dates for our Upcoming Events! | |
Nov. 12 - Bruce Witte Lecture
Nov. 13 - Regional Biotechnology Conference
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The Blumberg Institute focuses on understanding the pathobiology of hepatitis B virus and related diseases, developing diagnostics for early detection of liver disease and the discovery of therapeutics, antivirals and immune modulators aimed at curing hepatitis B and other severe viral diseases.
www.blumberginstitute.org
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