Dr. Stephan A. Grupp

Dr. Stephan A. Grupp, MD, PhD, is an internationally recognized pediatric oncologist and a global leader in cellular immunotherapy, renowned for his transformative work in developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for children and young adults. He serves as Chief of the Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Medical Director of the Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, and Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Grupp earned his medical degree and PhD from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed his residency at Harvard Medical School, and fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. He is board-certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing pediatric cellular therapies.

An architect of pediatric CAR T-cell therapy, Dr. Grupp led the first global clinical trial of CAR T-cell treatment in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), resulting in the landmark FDA approval of the first CAR T-cell therapy. His groundbreaking work has redefined treatment paradigms for children with relapsed and refractory leukemia, establishing cellular immunotherapy as a curative option for patients with otherwise limited prospects. Dr. Grupp’s ongoing research focuses on overcoming resistance mechanisms, mitigating toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome, and expanding CAR T applications into other pediatric malignancies. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and continues to drive translational research that bridges laboratory innovation with clinical application.

In addition to his research leadership, Dr. Grupp is a dedicated mentor and clinician who has trained numerous pediatric oncologists and physician-scientists in the rapidly evolving field of cellular therapy. His commitment to collaborative research and patient-centered innovation has positioned him as a global thought leader in pediatric immunotherapy, shaping the future of cellular treatments for children worldwide.