Dr. Weiss is a physician-scientist who cares for pediatric patients with non-malignant blood diseases and performs related laboratory research. He received his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, followed by training in pediatrics and pediatric hematology at Boston Children’s Hospital, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University.  For 15 years, he was a faculty member at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (UPENN) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where he rose to the rank of Professor of Pediatrics with Tenure. He was Director for the Pediatric Physician-Scientist Development Program at CHOP (2007-2011) and Associate Director for the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Program at UPENN (2001-2014). He has mentored numerous trainees who have gone on to productive careers in academia or industry in the United States, China, Europe and India. In 2014, he became Chairman of the Hematology Department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he oversees the Divisions of Experimental Hematology and Clinical Hematology. 

Dr. Weiss’ research focuses on understanding the biology of red blood cells. His recent work has placed a greater emphasis on translational studies aimed at developing new treatments for sickle cell disease and b-thalassemia, which affect millions of individuals across the world. He has published over 170 original research papers and has been funded continually by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2002. He is a member of The American Society for Clinical Investigation and The Association of American Physicians. Dr. Weiss’ mission as Hematology Chairman at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to facilitate cutting edge basic, translational and clinical research, foster faculty development and promote outstanding clinical care for patients with non-malignant blood disorders. 

Dr Weiss will present his seminar entitled "Developmental Regulation of Globin Gene Expression from Bench to Bedside"