Monell Chemical Senses Center

MISSION:  A leader in scientific discovery, Monell advances scientific understanding of the mechanisms and functions of the chemical senses to benefit human health and well-being.

LOCATION: University City, Philadelphia. The Center occupies 80,000 sq. ft. in two adjoining buildings located near the campuses of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

LEADERSHIP: Robert F. Margolskee; MD, PhD; Director and President. Dwight Riskey, PhD; Chair, Board of Directors                        

SCIENTISTS: Approximately 25 principal investigators and 35 post-doctoral fellows and research associates, trained in a wide variety of disciplines including biology, chemistry, sensory science, psychology, neuroscience, molecular genetics, and public health.

RESEARCH: The highly interdisciplinary research at Monell increases fundamental knowledge about the many mysteries of taste, smell, and the chemically-stimulated skin senses. Monell is dedicated to basic research, with scientists choosing projects based on their own curiosity and interests without regard to immediate practical applications. Even so, the Center’s studies often have relevance to health and quality of life, opening doors to insights that improve lives in myriad ways. There remains much to learn about these primal senses and how they relate to today’s pressing issues, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, pediatric nutrition and health, aging, homeland security, occupational health and environmental interactions.

FUNDING: Monell’s funding comes from competitive government grants, primarily through the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and other divisions of the National Institutes of Health; grants from the Center’s corporate sponsors; foundation sources; and, private philanthropy.

Media Contact: Leslie Stein, PhD, Science Communications, stein@monell.org, 267.519.4707