Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has made a landmark $50 million donation to create the Lurie Autism Institute, writes Harold Brubaker for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Announced last week, the institute is a joint initiative between the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine aimed at advancing autism research. It will focus on studying causes and the impact across a lifespan.
With 47 existing autism research teams and more than 120 NIH grants between them, CHOP and Penn offer what Lurie called a ‘scientific epicenter’ for breakthroughs in neuroscience, genetics, AI, and imaging.
The effort is deeply personal for Wynnewood’s Lurie, whose brother is on the autism spectrum. His family’s longstanding commitment includes the Eagles Autism Foundation and the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.
Penn and CHOP’s track record of collaboration sealed Lurie’s decision. Penn’s Daniel Rader will serve as interim director while a global search for a permanent director is underway.
The gift will unify existing efforts, attract new scientists, and expand into previously unexplored areas, such as epigenetics. Lurie hopes the institute becomes a global leader in a field marked by slow progress.
Read more about Jeffrey Lurie’s donation and efforts in Autism awareness and research in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
