An update from the CSO

03/21/25

As we wrap up the week, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the concerning news reported in the press on Wednesday regarding a potential pause in federal funding to Penn. We have not yet received official federal government notification of a funding pause in the publicly reported amount. If you have not already read the updated University response to the reported suspension in federal funding, please see the 3/20/25 statement here. 

A fully engaged Penn team is working around the clock to safeguard the vital work we do in research and health care, and we are prepared to respond to daily changes, inquiries, and questions. We will continue to update you regularly (with archived messages found here).

The importance of your work cannot be overemphasized. A recent powerful patient story centered around discoveries being made at Penn Medicine highlights the impact of what we do at Penn. This is only one example of work that takes place here each day – compassionate care, dedicated mentoring, and bold scientific inquiry. 

In closing, we encourage you to read more about how Penn’s endowment works from both Jon Epstein’s message and Penn’s endowment, explained | Penn Today.

Thank you,

Mike and Emma

E. Michael Ostap, PhD

Professor of Physiology

Interim Senior Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer,

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania 

and

Emma A. Meagher, MD

Senior Vice Dean, Clinical & Translational Research, Perelman School of Medicine

Vice President, University of Pennsylvania Health System