Philanthropy propels our basic science research—the kind that has historically led to transformative medical advances, such as cancer immunotherapies, drugs for diabetes and obesity, and curative gene therapies.
George Q. Daley
Image: Channing Johnson
Among the VSC’s nearly 1,000 researchers is Arlene Sharpe, AB ’75, AM ’76, PhD ’81, MD ’82, Kolokotrones University Professor and chair of the Department of Immunology. She describes the VSC’s vibrant, collaborative environment: “Every day you can feel the energy that comes from scientists across disciplines working together and sharing ideas. The proximity of so many talented colleagues sparks creative collaborations and accelerates the pace of discovery.”
Sharpe’s lab helped uncover the maneuvers that tumors use to evade detection and destruction by the immune system. This insight paved the way for a class of cancer immunotherapy known as immune checkpoint inhibitors—drugs that have transformed cancer care by enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight tumors. These therapies have now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for more than 25 forms of cancer.
Remarkable advances like this are a hallmark of research taking place across the VSC. In 2025 alone, notable discoveries have included:
- In the Department of Genetics, Bruce Yankner, MD, PhD, a professor of genetics and neurology, was senior author of a study published in Nature that brings new hope for Alzheimer’s disease. The study shows that lithium is essential for healthy brain function and helps protect against aging and Alzheimer’s, but it gets depleted when it binds to toxic amyloid plaques in the brain. The research further showed that a lithium-based compound safely reversed both brain aging and Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice.
- In the Department of Immunology, Jun Huh, PhD, an associate professor of immunology, co-authored two studies in Cell detailing the crosstalk between inflammatory molecules called cytokines and specific brain cells—an interplay that influences mood, anxiety, and some social behaviors. The findings shed light on the role of inflammation in these changes and suggest treatments for anxiety and autism-related disorders that target the immune system rather than the brain directly.
- In the Department of Microbiology, Jonathan Abraham, AB ’05, PhD ’10, MD ’12, an associate professor of microbiology, and his team published research in Cell showing that single mutations in the spike protein of western equine encephalitis virus can make it harmless or enable it to infect humans and trigger outbreaks. This work could help researchers and public health experts better anticipate the likelihood of future outbreaks.
In addition to helping sustain researchers—including junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to recent federal funding cuts—this new philanthropic support will help HMS maintain the world-class facilities these researchers inhabit, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their disciplines.
Because of the flexible nature of the support, HMS leadership can also address unanticipated challenges or fund novel, unexpected discoveries, propelling research forward with the mission of improving health and well-being for all.
Veritas Science Center at a glance | |
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Fifth-year PhD student Jessica Chen gives a tour of the Veritas Science Center.