Daniel Cracchiolo Institute opens at Steele Children’s Research Center
(From left) John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the U of A Foundation, Marianne Cracchiolo Mago, president and CEO of The Steele Foundation, Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, director of the Steele Children’s Research Center, and University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, PhD, cut the ribbon at the ceremonial grand opening of the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center. The private ceremony was held in late February.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
The Steele Foundation held a private ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 26 for the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center.
The Cracchiolo Institute is dedicated to fighting diseases such as lupus, juvenile arthritis and Type 1 diabetes and is named for the Arizona attorney and philanthropist who served as founder, chairman and CEO of The Steele Foundation. In 1992, the foundation’s original investment of $2 million established the Steele Children’s Research Center.
Upon Cracchiolo’s death in 2022, The Steele Foundation made its largest gift — $10 million to the Steele Children’s Research Center. At February's ribbon cutting, invited guests toured the institute, where 6,500 square feet of lab space was renovated as a result of the donation.
Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, director of the Steele Children’s Research Center, said autoimmune diseases are on the rise, with more than 40 million people in the United States suffering from them.
“Autoimmune diseases are chronic illnesses which have no cure. You live with them your whole life,” he said. “Having the Daniel Cracchiolo Institute will greatly expand the work we can do to change the future for children who are suffering. Our goal is to improve treatments, to seek cures and to prevent illness. Dan’s legacy will live on through the lives he will impact.”
Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA, dean of the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson and a member of the BIO5 Institute, said, “With its focus on advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration and supporting the development of leaders in pediatric medicine, the Dan Cracchiolo Institute will serve as a catalyst for innovation that will impact families for generations to come.”
Marianne Cracchiolo Mago, president and CEO of The Steele Foundation said: “My father’s name representing the fight to cure pediatric diseases is a momentous opportunity for us. Dan would be thrilled for his name to grace our ‘crown jewel,’ the Steele Children’s Research Center. This cements his legacy and represents a significant moment for our family and the foundation. As a devoted Wildcat, this tremendous honor would mean the world to him. Bear down!”
The $10 million gift will also establish the Daniel Cracchiolo Endowed Chair for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research and provide financial support for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. In addition, it also created the Pamela Grant Endowed Professorship and the Fayez K. Ghishan Endowed Professorship.
U of A President Suresh Garimella, PhD, addresses guests during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA, dean of the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson, addresses guests during the opening ceremony for the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Marianne Cracchiolo Mago, Steele Foundation president and CEO, visits with Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, director of the Steele Children’s Research Center and longtime friend of her late father, Daniel Cracchiolo.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Part of the $10 million gift made by The Steele Foundation to establish the Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research was used to refurbish 10 labs in the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Ginny L. Clements, whose gift established the U of A Cancer Center’s Ginny L. Clements Breast Cancer Research Institute, shares a laugh with U of A President Suresh Garimella, PhD, during the opening ceremony of the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Marianne Cracchiolo Mago, Steele Foundation president and CEO, and brother Andy Cracchiolo, a Steele Foundation trustee, flank Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, director of the Steele Children’s Research Center. Ghishan was a friend of the Cracchiolos’ father, Daniel Cracchiolo, for whom the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center is named.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation
Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA, dean of the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson, adjusts the tie of Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, director of the Steele Children’s Research Center, at the opening ceremony for the new Daniel Cracchiolo Institute for Pediatric Autoimmune Disease Research at the U of A Steele Children’s Research Center. Andreas Theodorou, MD, (second from left) a professor of pediatrics at the college, looks on.
Photo by Chris Richards, U of A Foundation