Working on the Army Epidemiological Board in the 1940s, Joseph Stokes, Jr. discovered the value of gamma globulin for the prevention of epidemic hepatitis. His subsequent research included immunization against influenza, protection against poliomyelitis by gamma globulin, antigenic difference between epidemic and serum hepatitis, immunization procedures in mumps, development of a vaccine against measles. His clinical focus was on the causes and prevention of childhood infectious diseases. His administrative work includes the transformation of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. His community work consists of public health and environment control issues.

Working on bacterial viruses in 1945, Seymour S. Cohen offered the first systematic exploration of the biochemistry of virus-infected cells and of how viruses multiply. His subsequent research included delineating the phenomenon of thymineless death, developing derivatives of ara-A compound, working on RNA synthesis, studying the effects of polyamines on metabolic systems, and studying plant viruses (including viral cations). Much of his research has contributed to the chemical treatment of cancer and viral infections.