Announcement and Appreciation: Associate Dean for Animal Research

05/20/26

For over thirteen years, the Perelman School of Medicine [PSOM] community has benefited tremendously from the thoughtful leadership and counsel of Stuart Isaacs, MD, as Associate Dean of Animal Research, a role from which he will transition at the end of June and step down in August. We are grateful for his guidance, collegiality, and dedication.

Recognized for the depth of his experience in animal research and administration, Dr. Isaacs was selected in 2013 to oversee all aspects of animal research for PSOM. While maintaining a busy clinical schedule and committee work at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and a research laboratory at Penn, which uses rodent models in viral pathogenesis, immune responses, and vaccines, Dr. Isaacs spent considerable time addressing issues, questions, and regulatory compliance related to animal research and welfare. He was a strategic partner in our animal research programs and facilities, including assessing, evaluating, and planning capacity and growth. In addition to managing transitions to new vivaria and navigating renovations to existing animal spaces, he facilitated the opening and operation of the first Animal Biosafety Level-3 containment facility at Penn. His work was central to ensuring that PSOM’s animal research enterprise remained rigorous, compliant, and able to support the continued growth of our research mission.

Highly collegial in every interaction, Dr. Isaacs worked closely with investigators, staff, and colleagues from across the University, strengthening partnerships with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Facilities and Real Estate Services, and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, to name just a few.

As we reflect on Dr. Isaacs’ many contributions, a few statistics put into perspective his leadership and impact:

• Partnered with three Chief Scientific Officers, beginning with Glen Gaulton, PhD, who first appointed Dr. Isaacs, and worked with three Vice Provosts for Research.
• Involved with the recruitment and transition of ~50 faculty with animal research needs with nearly every department in PSOM.
• Led and/or attended over 3,000 meetings related to animal research during the last decade plus – the number of hours associated with those meetings (including preparation and follow-up) is too daunting to add up.

Dr. Isaacs has worked tirelessly to support our research community and always with a remarkable calmness and unmatched collegiality. He has been an invaluable leader and colleague.

With the inextricable connections between laboratory and animal research, we will combine these efforts under the leadership of Yale Cohen, PhD, Associate Dean for Research Infrastructure & Strategy. We thank Dr. Cohen for taking on this expanded role starting in July, with Dr. Isaacs supporting the transition through August to ensure continuity in animal care and research.