Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research 2024

Ten scholars, including E. John Wherry, PhD, have been named to the 2021 class of American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows. For unparalleled research discoveries that have defined the genetic and epigenetic control mechanisms governing T-cell exhaustion, and for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PDL-1 blockade, resulting in the clinical development of various immunotherapies, including several FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies for multiple cancer indications. They are among 564 scientists, engineers, and innovators recognized by the organization for their “scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.”

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals. AAAS Fellows are nominated and elected by current AAAS members in a tradition that stretches back to 1874.

E. John Wherry, PhD, is the Director of the Penn Institute for Immunology and Immune Health and Chair of the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the Perelman School of Medicine. He is an international leader in the study of T-cell exhaustion, which prevents optimal control of infections and can hamper anti-tumor immune responses. Most recently, his efforts have also focused on dissecting the immunology of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Wherry has received numerous distinctions for his contributions to infectious disease and cancer immunology research. His work has advanced our understanding of the immune system, and his research has led to strategies to improve the effectiveness of T-cell targeting immunotherapies.