On February 12, 2026, regional leaders from education, healthcare, research, and industry gathered at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown for the Invest: Philadelphia 6th Edition Leadership Summit, hosted by Capital Analytics Associates. The event explored how the Philadelphia region can sustain its competitive edge as one of the nation’s most research-intensive hubs.
Amanda Purdy, PhD, Associate Chief Academic Officer and Director of Academic Affairs at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, served as a panelist for “Powering Research: How cutting-edge research and innovation are critical to the region and businesses.” The discussion examined how discovery translates into companies, therapies, workforce development, and community impact.
Purdy emphasized that research is more than an economic driver. It is a mindset rooted in curiosity and continuous forward movement. “Research is tapping into curiosity. We can’t be stagnant. We have to keep moving forward,” she said, noting that exposure to discovery should begin early rather than waiting until students reach college or graduate school.
Addressing questions about artificial intelligence, shifting federal research funding, and broader disruption in STEM fields, Purdy underscored the enduring value of training grounded in problem-solving. “If we are teaching people the fundamentals of how to problem solve and pivot, that’s how we set up our workforce to be ready for whatever is coming next,” she said. “Whether it’s AI or something else, whatever we are working with now is going to be different in five or ten years.”
At Fox Chase, that philosophy translates into programming that spans high school students through postdoctoral fellows. Under Purdy’s leadership, the institution has strengthened experiential research opportunities, professional development training, and mentorship networks designed to prepare the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians. She emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability, encouraging trainees to “fail forward,” learn, and try again.
The panel also explored how businesses and research institutions can collaborate most effectively. Purdy noted that successful partnerships depend on authentic engagement and shared value. “Engage disruption, try new things, fail and try again. The only way we don’t grow is if we fail and don’t try to grow.”
Her participation in the summit reflects Fox Chase Cancer Center’s ongoing commitment to advancing cancer research while investing in the education and training infrastructure necessary to ensure the Philadelphia region remains a leader in innovation and discovery.