OFFICE OF news communications

News Archive

introducing richard coico, ph.d.

Richard Coico, PhD, has recently been appointed Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Senior Associate Dean for Research at the School of Medicine.

Last stop:

Vice Provost for Intercampus Affairs at Cornell University-Ithaca/Weil Cornell Medical College, New York City. Executive Director, Cornell University Graduate School Linkage Program. Cornell Executive Director, Tri-Institutional Research Program (Consortium of Cornell/Rockefeller University/Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center). Course Director, Host Defenses, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.

Degrees:

PhD in immunology from New York University School of Medicine; MS in medical microbiology from Long Island University; BS in biology from Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

Fall classes:

In his role as professor, Coico will be responsible for teaching not only medical school students, but also dentistry and podiatry students. This fall, he will teach immunology at the School of Podiatric Medicine.

Recent research/publications:

Coico’s research focuses on various aspects of immune regulation; that is, the processes by which T lymphocytes regulate immune responses. In addition, his laboratory uses computational and bioinformatics approaches to identify candidate peptide vaccines for hemorrhagic viruses such as Ebola and Lassa. Most recently, he co-authored the 6th Edition of Immunology: A Short Course, and was editor of Immunology: Clinical Cases, both slated for publication later this year.

A major goal of Coico’s research is to understand how the immune system uses cell membrane proteins such as immunoglobulin D, which is produced by antibody-forming cells, to aid the cellular interaction that will best help the body fight infection. His vaccine-related research focuses on defining pathogen-expressed peptides that may stimulate protective antibody and T cell-mediated immune responses.

What brought you to Temple?
"My initial reason for exploring a faculty position at Temple was, of course, related to the fact that my wife, Lisa Staiano-Coico, had accepted the position of Provost. But when I visited the campus and met the faculty, particularly in microbiology and immunology, I knew Temple would be a good fit for me. Moreover, the opportunity to work with Dean John Daly, whom I have known for more than thirteen years, was the tipping point."

What are your goals as Senior Associate Dean?
"My goal is to help Dean Daly grow the research enterprise at the School of Medicine. The Dean and I are currently working on a strategic plan to accomplish this, which includes developing a Center for Clinical Translational Research. We also planned a retreat this month where faculty stakeholders were given the opportunity to contribute their research-related ideas and suggestions. I am confident that Dean Daly’s leadership, together with the school’s intellectual horsepower, will allow us to successfully implement a strategic plan that will place Temple at the forefront of biomedical and clinical translational research in the years ahead."

Food for thought:
"I am a foodie! I love to cook, to watch cooks cook, and to develop recipes. More importantly, I love to prepare dinners for family and friends. My favorite website, as you may have guessed, is www.foodnetwork.com."

Roads to wisdom:
"My two favorite quotes are: 'Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,' by Robert Frost, and 'When you come to a fork in the road, take it,' by Yogi Berra."

Book I most recently read and liked:
"I just read A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, after reading his first book, The Kite Runner, which I thoroughly enjoyed. While each is a fictional story set against the volatile events in Afghanistan over the past 30 years, they contain many insightful truths about the plight of the native Afghani population. I have spent much time in the Middle East working in Doha, Qatar, and I regard myself as an ambassador of the region."

Worst habit as a professor:
"Asking my students 'Is that clear? Any questions?' This invariably extends class time, which is fine with me but not always fine with the students."

What are your hobbies?
"I enjoy creating multimedia art. Most of the material I use is paper on paper or, to be more specific, coffee filter paper mounted on archival paper. I have one Melita masterpiece (so I like to call it) inspired by the spice souq (market) in Doha, Qatar. My art can be considered my hidden talent…especially if you like coffee filters."

Who are your idols?
"My professional idol was Dr. Michael Heidelberger, who is regarded as the father of modern immunology. He lived to be 103 years old and came to work almost every day until the day he died. In addition to his major contributions to the field of immunology, he had a lighter creative side. As a musician and lyricist, he composed the score for a march on the occasion of his wedding to his first wife in 1916. He was nominated for a Nobel Prize several times, and he used to share stories of his former trainees who went on to become Nobel Prize recipients themselves. That meant more to him than anything else in his personal career. His life was so full and he loved to share his philosophy of life, if asked. In short, he would say, it's all about learning and contributing to the big picture we call life."

Contact Information:

Richard Coico, PhD

Professor, Immunology and Microbiology

Senior Associate Dean of Research

Temple University School of Medicine

3400 N. Broad Street, Room 507 Old Medical School

Philadelphia, PA  19140

Telephone:  215-707-4605

Email:  rcoico@temple.edu

***

By Renee Cree

renee.cree@temple.edu

September 25, 2007

Contact Information:

Office of News Communications
Eryn Jelesiewicz, Director
Phone: (215) 707-0730
Fax: (215) 707-2940
eryn.jelesiewicz@temple.edu