Scientific Advisors

Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD

Dr. Chi Van Dang is scientific director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Cancer Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He is also Professor of Oncology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins. Dang’s research helped define the complex functions of the MYC oncogene, a central switch in human cancer, identifying key domains that mediate its transcription factor activity. The Dang Lab also established the first mechanistic link between MYC and cellular energy metabolism, contributing to the concept that genetic alterations re-program energy utilization and render cancer cells addicted to certain energy sources. His Lab further documented that MYC could disrupt circadian metabolism and is exploiting these concepts for therapeutic targeting of cancer cell metabolism as a new anticancer strategy. He served on the Biden Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel and was Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Research. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of American Physicians, National Academy of Medicine and fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the American Association for Cancer Research Academy.  He received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Georgetown University, followed by an M.D. degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.

David B. Weiner, PhD

Dr. David Weiner directs a translational research laboratory at The Wistar Institute in the area of Molecular Immunology. His group is one of the pioneering research teams in establishing the field of DNA vaccines and immunotherapies. Important reports from his lab include the first DNA vaccine studied for HIV as well as for cancer immunotherapy, the early development of DNA encoded genetic adjuvants including the particularly relevant IL-12, advances in gene optimization, and advances in electroporation (EP) technologies resulting in improved gene delivery among others. His group worked with collaborators to become the first to move DNA technology into human study. His laboratory’s work helped revitalize the field through advancement of new synthetic DNA design and modification of EP delivery approaches resulting in potent immune induction as well as the first successful Phase IIb DNA efficacy study (for HPV immunotherapy) in humans.

Dr. Weiner is the recipient of numerous honors including election as a fellow to both the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2011 and the International Society for Vaccines in 2012. He is the recipient of the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award and received the Vaccine Industry Excellence Award for Best Academic Research Team in 2015 at the World Vaccine Congress. Weiner was honored with the prestigious Hilleman Lectureship in 2015 at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Grand Rounds session and received a Stone Family Award from Abramson Cancer Center for his groundbreaking work on DNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. In 2019, Dr. Weiner was honored with the Scientific Achievement Award from Life Sciences PA (LSPA).

Dr. Weiner returned to Wistar in 2016 from his position at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine as professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. From 1990 to 1993, Weiner held a joint position as assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Weiner is a co-founder of Inovio Pharmaceuticals and is a member of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Weiner graduated with a B.S. in biology from SUNY at Stony Brook, N.Y., a M.S. in biology from the University of Cincinnati and a Ph.D. in developmental biology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.