Ten for Penn: Shelley Berger Named Penn's 10th PIK Professor

June 18, 2009

Shelley L. Berger, a world-renowned genetics researcher, was named the 10th Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) Professor.

what is a PIK Professor?

Known for her research in epigenetics -- the study of genetic changes caused by factors other than genes -- Berger will integrate knowledge from the disciplines of genetics and biochemistry to study critical diseases in her new role as the Daniel S. Och University Professor.

"Shelley Berger is revolutionizing our understanding of genetic information" Gutmann said. "Her work is intrinsically interdisciplinary and holds tremendous potential for not only treating devasting diseases such as cancer, but also preventing them entirely."

Berger will hold appointments in the School of Medicine's Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the School of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology. SAS Dean Rebecca Bushnell and Medical School Dean Arthur Rubenstein both emphasized that Berger will be teaching both graduate and undergraduate students.

"It's a great home run for Penn, for medicine, for arts and sciences, and for the University," said Amy Gutmann. "Her research and her teaching are both truly path-breaking."

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The Daniel S. Och University Professorship is the gift of Jane and Daniel S. Och. He is a Penn alum, a University Trustee, serves on the Wharton Undergraduate Executive Board and mentors Penn students through the Jewish Heritage Program.

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