Tom AvrilWhat I DoI write about scientific research, the Philly biotech scene, and medical education.(215) 854-2430How Philly’s heat wave poses medical risksExtreme heat poses risks for all ages. Here’s what to watch out for.Tom Avril June 17, 2024Link copied to clipboardWhy are Black people more likely to develop glaucoma? Penn scientists discovered new clues in the largest study of its kind.Three genetic variants were linked to a sharp increase in risk of the disease, a leading cause of blindness.Tom Avril March 26, 2024Link copied to clipboardCHOP researchers are on a team getting up to $25 million to fight childhood cancersCHOP physician Yael Mossé is the co-leader of the team tackling neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other childhood cancers described as "undruggable."Tom Avril March 7, 2024Link copied to clipboardHow Penn’s chief innovation officer helps turn faculty research into a multibillion-dollar windfallJohn Swartley now has a broader mission as the university's chief innovation officer.Tom Avril Feb. 20, 2024Link copied to clipboardPenn names new chief innovation officer, aiming to expand a multibillion-dollar windfall from faculty researchJohn Swartley was promoted from his role as managing director at the Penn Center for Innovation.Tom Avril Feb. 1, 2024Link copied to clipboardA CT scanner on wheels? That’s the dream of this Philly physician who heads an ARPA-H program.Bon Ku, a former Jefferson Health physician, envisions a mobile health clinic that could help patients in rural and urban areas.Tom Avril Jan. 24, 2024Link copied to clipboardBlood shortage hampers Philadelphia-area Red CrossThe Philly-area Red Cross says it is seeing a blood donation shortage similar to what has been reported nationally.Tom Avril Jan. 10, 2024Link copied to clipboardAfter a dangerous brush with preeclampsia, this doctor is raising awareness about the condition among Black womenIn Madison Cook's 38th week of pregnancy, physicians recommended that she go home from Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. She pushed back, and she is glad she did.Tom Avril April 1, 2024Link copied to clipboardFDA approves West Conshohocken firm’s drug for liver disease that soared amid obesity epidemicThe drug Rezdiffra, from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, can reduce scarring and inflammation in people with fatty accumulations in their livers.Tom Avril March 14, 2024Link copied to clipboardNew documents show how Penn investigated a scientist found to have faked studies on newborn pigsThe Inquirer got a copy of Penn's findings through a Freedom of Information Act request.Tom Avril March 4, 2024Link copied to clipboardPaul Giamatti’s ‘Holdovers’ character smells like fish. That’s a real condition, with a Philly backstoryThe Monell Chemical Senses Center pioneered research on trimethylaminuria, a condition Paul Giamatti's character has in the movie.Tom Avril Feb. 11, 2024Link copied to clipboardThe Franklin Institute honors nine scientists and engineers on its 200th anniversaryThe winners come to the Philadelphia for four days of lectures and ceremonies in April.Tom Avril Jan. 30, 2024Link copied to clipboardPenn surgeons connected a pig liver to the body of a deceased person, showing it could work for living patientsThe liver came from a pig that was genetically modified so it would not provoke the human immune system.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboardPhilly biotech execs find ‘optimistic vibe’ at invitation-only JPM Healthcare Conference Christopher P. Molineaux, head of Life Sciences Pennsylvania, described an 'optimistic vibe' for the battered industry.Tom Avril Jan. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboardMeet the Penn engineer who delivers mRNA inside human cellsMichael J. Mitchell is developing lipid nanoparticles to deliver therapy to specific organs such as the lungs and brain.Tom Avril March 28, 2024Link copied to clipboardPenn medical students learn to respond to bear attacks, avalanches, and dirty bombsWilderness and disaster medicine is the topic of an unusual two-week elective at the Perelman School of Medicine.Tom Avril March 10, 2024Link copied to clipboard‘Gas station heroin’ alarms poison center officials in N.J. and beyondSince June, at least 35 New Jerseyans have suffered toxic effects after using tianeptine, including one cardiac arrest. It is not approved by the FDA.Tom Avril Feb. 22, 2024Link copied to clipboardGene therapy at CHOP allowed a deaf boy to hear. But some deaf people object to the treatment.A second deaf patient is undergoing the treatment, produced by Eli Lilly, at CHOP on Friday.Tom Avril Feb. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboardGene therapy for pets: French company buys start-up cofounded by Penn’s Jim WilsonCeva Santé Animale is buying Scout Bio, which Wilson cofounded in 2018.Tom Avril Jan. 25, 2024Link copied to clipboardCritics claim to find flaws in dozens of Alzheimer’s studies by Temple scientistDomenico Praticò denies any research misconduct, but in a lawsuit, he accused a former grad student of copying images.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
How Philly’s heat wave poses medical risksExtreme heat poses risks for all ages. Here’s what to watch out for.Tom Avril June 17, 2024Link copied to clipboard
How Philly’s heat wave poses medical risksExtreme heat poses risks for all ages. Here’s what to watch out for.Tom Avril June 17, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Why are Black people more likely to develop glaucoma? Penn scientists discovered new clues in the largest study of its kind.Three genetic variants were linked to a sharp increase in risk of the disease, a leading cause of blindness.Tom Avril March 26, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Why are Black people more likely to develop glaucoma? Penn scientists discovered new clues in the largest study of its kind.Three genetic variants were linked to a sharp increase in risk of the disease, a leading cause of blindness.Tom Avril March 26, 2024Link copied to clipboard
CHOP researchers are on a team getting up to $25 million to fight childhood cancersCHOP physician Yael Mossé is the co-leader of the team tackling neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other childhood cancers described as "undruggable."Tom Avril March 7, 2024Link copied to clipboard
CHOP researchers are on a team getting up to $25 million to fight childhood cancersCHOP physician Yael Mossé is the co-leader of the team tackling neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other childhood cancers described as "undruggable."Tom Avril March 7, 2024Link copied to clipboard
How Penn’s chief innovation officer helps turn faculty research into a multibillion-dollar windfallJohn Swartley now has a broader mission as the university's chief innovation officer.Tom Avril Feb. 20, 2024Link copied to clipboard
How Penn’s chief innovation officer helps turn faculty research into a multibillion-dollar windfallJohn Swartley now has a broader mission as the university's chief innovation officer.Tom Avril Feb. 20, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn names new chief innovation officer, aiming to expand a multibillion-dollar windfall from faculty researchJohn Swartley was promoted from his role as managing director at the Penn Center for Innovation.Tom Avril Feb. 1, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn names new chief innovation officer, aiming to expand a multibillion-dollar windfall from faculty researchJohn Swartley was promoted from his role as managing director at the Penn Center for Innovation.Tom Avril Feb. 1, 2024Link copied to clipboard
A CT scanner on wheels? That’s the dream of this Philly physician who heads an ARPA-H program.Bon Ku, a former Jefferson Health physician, envisions a mobile health clinic that could help patients in rural and urban areas.Tom Avril Jan. 24, 2024Link copied to clipboard
A CT scanner on wheels? That’s the dream of this Philly physician who heads an ARPA-H program.Bon Ku, a former Jefferson Health physician, envisions a mobile health clinic that could help patients in rural and urban areas.Tom Avril Jan. 24, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Blood shortage hampers Philadelphia-area Red CrossThe Philly-area Red Cross says it is seeing a blood donation shortage similar to what has been reported nationally.Tom Avril Jan. 10, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Blood shortage hampers Philadelphia-area Red CrossThe Philly-area Red Cross says it is seeing a blood donation shortage similar to what has been reported nationally.Tom Avril Jan. 10, 2024Link copied to clipboard
After a dangerous brush with preeclampsia, this doctor is raising awareness about the condition among Black womenIn Madison Cook's 38th week of pregnancy, physicians recommended that she go home from Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. She pushed back, and she is glad she did.Tom Avril April 1, 2024Link copied to clipboard
After a dangerous brush with preeclampsia, this doctor is raising awareness about the condition among Black womenIn Madison Cook's 38th week of pregnancy, physicians recommended that she go home from Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. She pushed back, and she is glad she did.Tom Avril April 1, 2024Link copied to clipboard
FDA approves West Conshohocken firm’s drug for liver disease that soared amid obesity epidemicThe drug Rezdiffra, from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, can reduce scarring and inflammation in people with fatty accumulations in their livers.Tom Avril March 14, 2024Link copied to clipboard
FDA approves West Conshohocken firm’s drug for liver disease that soared amid obesity epidemicThe drug Rezdiffra, from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, can reduce scarring and inflammation in people with fatty accumulations in their livers.Tom Avril March 14, 2024Link copied to clipboard
New documents show how Penn investigated a scientist found to have faked studies on newborn pigsThe Inquirer got a copy of Penn's findings through a Freedom of Information Act request.Tom Avril March 4, 2024Link copied to clipboard
New documents show how Penn investigated a scientist found to have faked studies on newborn pigsThe Inquirer got a copy of Penn's findings through a Freedom of Information Act request.Tom Avril March 4, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Paul Giamatti’s ‘Holdovers’ character smells like fish. That’s a real condition, with a Philly backstoryThe Monell Chemical Senses Center pioneered research on trimethylaminuria, a condition Paul Giamatti's character has in the movie.Tom Avril Feb. 11, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Paul Giamatti’s ‘Holdovers’ character smells like fish. That’s a real condition, with a Philly backstoryThe Monell Chemical Senses Center pioneered research on trimethylaminuria, a condition Paul Giamatti's character has in the movie.Tom Avril Feb. 11, 2024Link copied to clipboard
The Franklin Institute honors nine scientists and engineers on its 200th anniversaryThe winners come to the Philadelphia for four days of lectures and ceremonies in April.Tom Avril Jan. 30, 2024Link copied to clipboard
The Franklin Institute honors nine scientists and engineers on its 200th anniversaryThe winners come to the Philadelphia for four days of lectures and ceremonies in April.Tom Avril Jan. 30, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn surgeons connected a pig liver to the body of a deceased person, showing it could work for living patientsThe liver came from a pig that was genetically modified so it would not provoke the human immune system.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn surgeons connected a pig liver to the body of a deceased person, showing it could work for living patientsThe liver came from a pig that was genetically modified so it would not provoke the human immune system.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Philly biotech execs find ‘optimistic vibe’ at invitation-only JPM Healthcare Conference Christopher P. Molineaux, head of Life Sciences Pennsylvania, described an 'optimistic vibe' for the battered industry.Tom Avril Jan. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Philly biotech execs find ‘optimistic vibe’ at invitation-only JPM Healthcare Conference Christopher P. Molineaux, head of Life Sciences Pennsylvania, described an 'optimistic vibe' for the battered industry.Tom Avril Jan. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Meet the Penn engineer who delivers mRNA inside human cellsMichael J. Mitchell is developing lipid nanoparticles to deliver therapy to specific organs such as the lungs and brain.Tom Avril March 28, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Meet the Penn engineer who delivers mRNA inside human cellsMichael J. Mitchell is developing lipid nanoparticles to deliver therapy to specific organs such as the lungs and brain.Tom Avril March 28, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn medical students learn to respond to bear attacks, avalanches, and dirty bombsWilderness and disaster medicine is the topic of an unusual two-week elective at the Perelman School of Medicine.Tom Avril March 10, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Penn medical students learn to respond to bear attacks, avalanches, and dirty bombsWilderness and disaster medicine is the topic of an unusual two-week elective at the Perelman School of Medicine.Tom Avril March 10, 2024Link copied to clipboard
‘Gas station heroin’ alarms poison center officials in N.J. and beyondSince June, at least 35 New Jerseyans have suffered toxic effects after using tianeptine, including one cardiac arrest. It is not approved by the FDA.Tom Avril Feb. 22, 2024Link copied to clipboard
‘Gas station heroin’ alarms poison center officials in N.J. and beyondSince June, at least 35 New Jerseyans have suffered toxic effects after using tianeptine, including one cardiac arrest. It is not approved by the FDA.Tom Avril Feb. 22, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Gene therapy at CHOP allowed a deaf boy to hear. But some deaf people object to the treatment.A second deaf patient is undergoing the treatment, produced by Eli Lilly, at CHOP on Friday.Tom Avril Feb. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Gene therapy at CHOP allowed a deaf boy to hear. But some deaf people object to the treatment.A second deaf patient is undergoing the treatment, produced by Eli Lilly, at CHOP on Friday.Tom Avril Feb. 8, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Gene therapy for pets: French company buys start-up cofounded by Penn’s Jim WilsonCeva Santé Animale is buying Scout Bio, which Wilson cofounded in 2018.Tom Avril Jan. 25, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Gene therapy for pets: French company buys start-up cofounded by Penn’s Jim WilsonCeva Santé Animale is buying Scout Bio, which Wilson cofounded in 2018.Tom Avril Jan. 25, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Critics claim to find flaws in dozens of Alzheimer’s studies by Temple scientistDomenico Praticò denies any research misconduct, but in a lawsuit, he accused a former grad student of copying images.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboard
Critics claim to find flaws in dozens of Alzheimer’s studies by Temple scientistDomenico Praticò denies any research misconduct, but in a lawsuit, he accused a former grad student of copying images.Tom Avril Jan. 18, 2024Link copied to clipboard