PHILADELPHIA — (March 20, 2025) — The Wistar Institute, a global leader in biomedical research in cancer, immunology and infectious disease, is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Trustees. Charles B. Cairns, M.D., Catherine Creese, and Carolyn Magill will join the current board in offering strategic counsel to the Institute as it undergoes a period of significant growth and expansion, including the addition of the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center and the launch of its Center for Advanced Therapeutics.
“2024 was an exceptionally transformative year for Wistar, and we’re excited to further advance our foundational research contributions by adding three extremely talented and successful members to our Board of Trustees,” said Dario C. Altieri, Ph.D., Wistar Institute president and CEO, director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, and Robert and Penny Fox Distinguished Professor. “For more than 130 years Wistar has been making scientific advances that address some of the world’s most challenging diseases. With the expertise and guidance of these new board members, we’re positioned to continue that momentum and achieve even higher levels of prominence in the global biomedical science research community.”
Charles B. Cairns, M.D., is the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean of the College of Medicine and senior vice president of medical affairs at Drexel University. Prior to joining Drexel, Dr. Cairns served as dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University and as dean of the College of Medicine and assistant vice president for clinical research at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Cairns is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College and received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina. He completed his residency in emergency medicine and fellowship in cardiovascular research at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Catherine Creese has worked in the submarine cable industry since 1995. She is a former Executive Committee member of the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) and was a founding member of the North American Submarine Cable Association.
Creese holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Master of Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC. In addition, she is a graduate of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy.
Carolyn Magill is a seasoned executive who most recently served as CEO of Aetion, a digital health company that offers real-world evidence (RWE) and outcomes-based analytics solutions to life science companies and payers. Prior to her role at Aetion she served as CEO of Remedy Partners, a provider of software and services for bundled payment programs, and EVP of Payer Strategy and Operations at Evolent Health. She also served in leadership positions in the Medicare and Medicaid businesses of UnitedHealth Group.
Magill has her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA in health care management from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.
ABOUT THE WISTAR INSTITUTE:
The Wistar Institute is the nation’s first independent nonprofit institution devoted exclusively to foundational biomedical research and training. Since 1972, the Institute has held National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center status. Through a culture and commitment to biomedical collaboration and innovation, Wistar science leads to breakthrough early-stage discoveries and life science sector start-ups. Wistar scientists are dedicated to solving some of the world’s most challenging problems in the field of cancer and immunology, advancing human health through early-stage discovery and training the next generation of biomedical researchers. wistar.org
