M. Celeste Simon

M. Celeste Simon is the Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. Her research focuses on cancer cell metabolism, tumor immunology, and metastasis, particularly how hypoxia and nutrient deprivation in the tumor microenvironment drive adaptive responses.

Her laboratory employs genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived organoids, and multi-omic approaches to study pancreatic, liver, kidney, and sarcoma cancers. Key findings include the role of HIF2α inhibitors (e.g., Belzutifan) in kidney cancer and the discovery of metabolic symbioses between tumor and immune cells.

Her work has been highlighted in numerous journals, including Cancer Discovery, Nature Reviews series, and ACC Bulletin. She mentors several PhD students and postdoctoral fellows and leads a multidisciplinary team at the Abramson Institute.