Q: What do concert promotion and research funding have in common?
A: Both require spotting undiscovered talent—and giving them a stage!
As IRM Director, I have been proud to work with Department leaders at Penn to recruit and mentor amazing scientists and build a community around regenerative medicine research. Our Institute is fortunate to have such talented people among our ranks, and we are constantly searching for ways to support great science and pathways to cures.
Recently, the IRM received an extremely generous $1M pledged gift from legendary concert and tour promoter Larry Magid and his wife, Mickey. Larry and Mickey are true Philadelphia champions, choosing to build the musical arts right here in our city. Larry is responsible for founding the iconic Electric Factory concert venue and changing the way we experience music. During more than six decades in the industry, he produced countless concerts—including the Atlantic City Pop Festival and the world-famous Live Aid benefit—and helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in popular music. Larry is a man who knows talent, and I couldn’t be happier that he and Mickey have chosen to support the IRM.
In honor of their generosity, the IRM is searching for the next big idea in regenerative medicine. We are currently accepting applications for the Mickey and Larry Magid Innovation Award, a $50,000 grant earmarked specifically for a high-risk, high-reward project. We hope that all interested IRM faculty members will apply.
Great research, like great music, means taking chances. Thanks to the generosity of Mickey and Larry, the IRM will continue to support our scientists as they take their best ideas and turn them into hits.
-Ken