PHILADELPHIA, PA. (May 19, 2026) – Thomas Jefferson University has announced the appointment of internationally renowned researcher Dario C. Altieri, MD, to the faculty of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, effective January 1, 2027, following a distinguished leadership tenure at The Wistar Institute. Dr. Altieri will serve as Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Cancer Biology, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. He will also serve as Special Advisor to the Director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.
A globally respected clinical leader, physician-scientist and oncology researcher, Dr. Altieri has shaped and revolutionized the field of cancer biology for decades. His research has helped to identify critical components of tumor biology and informed new therapeutic approaches across a broad range of malignancies.
"Jefferson has long been home to world-class research, and Dr. Altieri's arrival deepens that tradition in a meaningful way. His foundational contributions to cancer biology, his record of training exceptional scientists and his commitment to translating discovery into clinical impact align perfectly with who we are and what we stand for at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. I could not be more proud to welcome him,” said Said Ibrahim, MD, MPH, MBA, Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College and President, Jefferson University Physicians.
Dr. Altieri actively leads research focused on understanding how tumor cells survive and proliferate. His studies have been instrumental in understanding survivin, an Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAP) gene shown to be overproduced in nearly every human cancer, and exploring how it can impact cancer cell survival. He continues to study how cancer cells adapt and become resistant to therapies with the goal of finding new ways to treat cancer more effectively.
In stepping down from his current executive leadership role at The Wistar Institute, one of the world’s leading research institutions and an NCI-designated Cancer Center, he returns full-time to the laboratory science and mentorship that have defined his career — a transition both The Wistar Institute and Thomas Jefferson University celebrate as a natural next chapter for one of oncology’s most accomplished physician-scientists. Dr. Altieri will continue to advance interdisciplinary cancer research and strengthen Jefferson as a leading academic research institution committed to translating scientific discovery into improved patient outcomes.
"It is a great honor to have Dr. Altieri join Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. His contributions to cancer biology are foundational and he brings extraordinary scientific depth and leadership experience to bear on our mission. Dr. Altieri’s arrival at Jefferson represents new possibilities for our research programs, our faculty and ultimately our patients,” said Andrew Chapman, DO, FACP, EVP, Cancer Research and Oncology Services and Director, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jefferson Health.
Dr. Altieri has served as President and CEO and Director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center of The Wistar Institute since 2015. During his tenure, he strengthened The Wistar Institute’s global reputation in cancer research, pioneered new pathways for translational medicine and partnered with industry leaders to bring scientific discoveries from the research laboratory to real-world clinical settings.
“It has been a privilege to lead The Wistar Institute through a remarkable period of scientific advancement and institutional growth. I am proud of what its scientists have achieved, and I have accomplished what I personally set out to do there when I took on the executive leadership role a decade ago. I look forward to dedicating myself entirely to my lifelong passion of conducting basic medical research in pursuit of lifesaving therapies. Jefferson shares a deep commitment to advancing scientific discovery and translating it into significant improvements in patient care. I am excited to join a pioneering institution where basic research, clinical excellence and medical education converge every day,” said Dr. Altieri.
According to Rick Horowitz, Chair of The Wistar Institute Board of Trustees, “Dario has been an extraordinary leader for Wistar, instrumental in advancing the cutting-edge cancer, infectious disease and immunology research that sets The Wistar Institute apart from its peers. During his tenure, the endowment has tripled, the budget quadrupled, and two new research centers have been established — positioning Wistar exceptionally well for the future. We are indebted to Dr. Altieri for the transformational contributions he has made and anticipate opportunities for future collaboration with Jefferson that will strengthen the region’s life science sector to drive innovation here and beyond.”
Dr. Altieri earned his medical degree from the University of Milan School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in internal medicine and postgraduate training in clinical and experimental hematology. He began his research career as a fellow with the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation before later joining the faculty. He previously served as a Professor at Yale University School of Medicine and Founding Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
In addition to his academic and clinical achievements, Dr. Altieri has played a key role as an advocate in the cancer research community. He co-founded the Cancer Biology Training Consortium, a national network dedicated to promoting excellence among future cancer researchers, and the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance, a volunteer-led organization to support pancreatic cancer research and education.