2025 Election

The ISSCR invites full, postdoc, and student members to shape the future of your society by voting in the 2025 ISSCR Board of Directors election. The 2025 election will determine a new vice president, treasurer, and clerk, two new directors, and the re-appointment of two directors. Voting is open to current members. Please join or renew your membership to participate.

Learn more about the election process.

Vice President Candidates

The Vice President serves on the Executive Committee for four years. After the first year as Vice President, they serve as President-elect, then President, and a final year as Past-President.

Fiona Doetsch, PhD
Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

  • Fiona Doetsch is Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel in Switzerland. 

  • Fiona Doetsch obtained her B.Sc. at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and her Ph.D. at Rockefeller University in New York City, USA. She was then a Junior Fellow of the Society of Fellows at Harvard University, and a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, before joining Columbia University as Assistant Professor in 2003, and becoming a tenured Associate Professor. In 2014 she moved to the Biozentrum, University of Basel in Switzerland where she is Full Professor. 

    Research in the Doetsch laboratory focuses on the intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of stem cells in the adult mammalian brain. Her work identified the cell types and stem cells in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone neural stem cell niche that give rise to new neurons throughout life, revealing that stem cells in the mammalian nervous system have hallmark features of glial cells. She and her group have pioneered several widely used assays, including a regeneration assay and approaches to purify quiescent and activated stem cells and their progeny, as well as niche cells directly from the brain, enabling lineage tracing and identification of niche components and factors that regulate stem cell quiescence and activation. Her laboratory is currently illuminating the functional significance of adult neural stem cell heterogeneity and the signals that activate spatially distinct pools of stem cells. They have identified domains in the adult V-SVZ that generate novel glial cell types, and have uncovered multiple compartments of the adult neural stem cell niche, including a specialized vasculature with an unusual blood brain barrier, and the key role of long-range signals from the choroid plexus and regionalized innervation from other brain regions in stem cell regulation. Most recently, they have discovered that different pools of spatially distinct adult neural stem cells are selectively switched on in different physiological states to generate specific subtypes of neurons and glia, for “on-demand” adaptive brain plasticity. These findings provide a conceptual framework for understanding the multiple roles of stem cells in homeostasis, repair, and plasticity across the organism, in both health and disease. 

    Fiona Doetsch has received multiple awards including the David and Lucile Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, the Irma T. Hirschl Scholar Award and the Harold and Golden Lamport Award for Excellence in Basic Science Research. She is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), and has served on many advisory boards, review panels, selection committees and meeting program committees, including the editorial boards of Cell Stem Cell, Neuron, Stem Cell Reports and Science Advances.  

  • It is an exciting era for fundamental and translational stem cell research. Key principles of stem cell biology are being uncovered, from gametogenesis through aging, in different organisms. Increasingly complex embryo models, as well as organoids and assembloids, allow novel insights into human development, disease modeling and precision medicine. Rapid technological advances, including engineering, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, are transforming science and medicine. Stem cells are progressing into the clinic on multiple fronts. These advances also raise critical issues at the ethical, scientific and regulatory levels that need to be addressed. At this time of upheaval in the world, nations and disciplines are facing increased pressures to become isolationist, which threatens scientific and medical progress. It is crucial for the ISSCR to continue and expand as a global hub connecting stem cell communities around the world. It is more important than ever to increase international connections, support diversity in an equitable manner, and bridge communities across disciplinary boundaries.  The ISSCR is where scientists, clinicians, industry, biotechnology, education and bioethics can come together at the highest level and cross-fertilize between different domains. As a society, the ISSCR can provide key scientific expertise to counter misinformation, focus on emerging and existing ethical issues, advocate for stem cell research, defend against unproven therapies, and develop guidelines and standards. Education of the public, clinicians, the next generation and regulators remain essential. Importantly, the ISSCR also needs to grow community at every level, with opportunities for grassroots collaborative engagement of all members.  

  • I have been working in the stem cell field for three decades, during which time I have been deeply involved in both research and in building and fostering diverse stem cell communities that bridge basic and clinical science at local and international levels. I was a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative. In Switzerland, I have been involved in promoting interactions between academic and clinical institutions, pharmaceutical companies and local biotech start-ups. I am departmental representative on the diversity committee in the faculty of natural sciences, and I am deeply committed to mentoring and training the next generation.  

    I have been highly engaged in the ISSCR, serving on several committees (Scientific Programs (chair), Nominations and Awards, Annual Meeting/International Symposia Program Committees) and task forces, including co-chair of the 2026 Annual Meeting Program (Montreal) committee.  Since 2021, during my time as Clerk on the Board of Directors and chair of the Strategic Oversight Committee, we have re-organized all committees to better reflect the strategic priorities of the ISSCR. This has given me unique and important insight into the full scope of activities in which the ISSCR is engaged, and the enormous impact member volunteers have on stem cell research and its translation, from education to manufacturing-clinical-regulatory affairs, ethics and advocacy. I am thrilled to continue these initiatives, and especially to stimulate opportunities for greater membership involvement and international participation in the ISSCR community.  

  • View Fiona Doetsch’s Video.

Takanori Takebe, MD, PhD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA & Osaka University and Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan

  • Takanori Takebe, M.D., Ph.D., is the Endowed Chair of Organoid Medicine, and founding Director for Commercial Innovation at Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,  Cincinnati, OH, USA; Distinguished Professor, Department of Genome Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Deputy Director, Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Professor of Human Biology Research, the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Tokyo, Japan; Founding Director for Communication Design Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan; Research Director, Human Organoid Project, Miraikan National Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Takeda-CiRA joint program (T-CiRA), Kanagawa, Japan;  Principal Investigator, Takeda-CiRA joint program (T-CiRA), Shonan, Japan.

  • Dr. Takanori Takebe is a globally renowned leader in organoid technology and regenerative medicine research. As a Tenured Associate Professor of University of Cincinnati, and Director for Commercial Innovation at Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, he leads groundbreaking research in the Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition, and Developmental Biology. He also serves as a leader at Osaka University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Yokohama City University, National Museum and Shonan Health Innovation Park. His laboratories across these institutions operate as a uniquely integrated, interdisciplinary, and international research team.

    A trailblazer in organoid-based therapeutic strategies, Dr. Takebe has stretched the boundaries of stem cell biology, developmental biology, precision hepatology, and multi-organ integration. His pioneering work in creating self-organizing, multi-cellular human liver organoids and modeling inter-organ communication has paved the way for advancing personalized treatments for complex conditions, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and end-stage liver disease. His seminal contributions have been featured in top-tier journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell, and his achievements have earned him prestigious honors, including the NYSCF–Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Award, the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, the ISSCR Outstanding Young Investigator Award, the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise, and the 2024 Ig Nobel Prize for Physiology. With both the vision and unique ability to integrate advanced stem cell-derived systems with orthogonal disciplines like artificial intelligence, Dr. Takebe’s research is poised to deliver transformative outcomes for regenerative medicine and beyond.

    Dr. Takebe’s influence spans across academia and industry through his roles as the scientific founder of multiple successful biotechnology ventures, including OrsoBio and EVA Therapeutics, both of which are advancing clinical-stage innovations. He also serves as an advisor to leading industries, bridging cutting-edge science with real-world applications to redefine the future of regenerative therapies. In his academic and industry leadership roles, he has demonstrated outstanding managerial skills with an uncanny ability to inspire others to share his vision for the future of stem cell and organoid medicine.

    Dr. Takebe’s capacity to foster creativity and collaboration transcends laboratory research. With a deep interest in communication design, he investigates the role of art and design in enhancing awareness and driving behavioral change. As the founder of the Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), a nonprofit organization, Dr. Takebe lives his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Through SS-F, he promotes fundamental discovery-based research and interdisciplinary innovation, offering a refreshing counterbalance to siloed, application-focused approaches.

  • What does it take to lead ISSCR into an exciting, bright, and happier future for our global community of "Stem Cellers"? This question is the key to my vision for ISSCR and its increasingly indispensable role in realizing the promise of stem cell science. I believe ISSCR’s future lies in embracing three critical horizons—a space where every member, regardless of background, feels a sense of belonging and shares purpose, meaning, and joy:

    1.      Science First — High-quality science defines ISSCR’s legacy. As we build on this foundation, empowering emerging investigators across diverse backgrounds is essential for spurring the next wave of innovation. With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, ISSCR must foster intergenerational, international, and interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate novel approaches that will elevate stem cell research, uniting the wisdom of experience with the energy of fresh perspectives on a truly global scale.

    2.      Building Global Trust — Trust is vital to our community and the progress of stem cell science. In an era of rampant misinformation, public trust and education in science has eroded. Drawing from my expertise in communication design, I aim to amplify voices from regional communities, enhance public understanding, lead in responsible conduct of science, and foster equitable access to updated knowledge and regulatory standards, ensuring that we not only innovate but also inspire confidence and integrity.

    3.      Innovation Bridge— Stem cell science is now approaching the clinic faster than ever. Empowering our community with the ability to translate their discoveries is key to delivering transformative health impacts. ISSCR is well positioned to serve as a global hub connecting theme-focused multi-stakeholder groups, leveraging the rich diversity of local success models to drive meaningful breakthroughs and overcome translational challenges on a global scale.

  • Since attending my first ISSCR meeting in Yokohama in 2012, I have had the privilege of contributing to the Society in various capacities, including serving on the International Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Program Committee (2020/2025), as well as organizing two International Symposia. These experiences have given me invaluable insight into ISSCR’s unique abilities and ways we can unlock its full potential to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive global community.

    Growing up on a non-English-speaking island and as the leader of geographically diverse laboratories, I bring lived understanding of the barriers that prevent so many scientists from reaching their full potential and am deeply committed to listen, advocate and amplify the voice of all people from around the world with actionable deliverables. I believe ISSCR has a unique ability to empower its members by promoting communication and a sense of belonging, especially in underrepresented regions, to build a truly global standard of excellence and community in stem cell research.

    As a MD scientist trained in organ transplantation, I bring a balanced perspective of cautious optimism as well as practical skills in what it takes to translate stem cell science into transformative therapies. Leading multiple labs and serving as a scientific founder of seven bioventures, I have firsthand experience bridging academic discoveries with innovative commercial products. I understand the challenges that our community faces as stem cell science nears the clinic, and how to fuel the types of collaboration across disciplines, talents, and environments required to advance regenerative medicine.

    With these qualifications, I am well-prepared to implement the proposed horizons—Science First, Global Trust, and Innovation Bridge. I believe ISSCR has the potential to become a global hub where discoveries that transform human health are realized, and the journey of translation is made more accessible for all scientists. It would be an honor to contribute to bringing this vision to life.

  • View Takanori Takebe’s Video.

Treasurer Candidates

The Treasurer oversees ISSCR finances to ensure fiscal responsibility and assess risk. The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.

Jane Lebkowski, PhD
Regenerative Patch Technologies, USA

  • Dr. Jane Lebkowski is currently the President of Regenerative Patch Technologies, a biotechnology company developing a pluripotent stem cell-based implant for the treatment of advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.  Dr. Lebkowski has dedicated her career to the translation and clinical development of cell-based therapies for cancer, spinal cord injury, metabolic disorders, and retinal degeneration. Dr. Lebkowski serves as an advisor to academic, not-for-profit, and biotechnology organizations and is committed to developing safe, efficacious and affordable stem cell-based therapies.  

  • Jane Lebkowski has been actively involved in the development of cell and gene therapies since 1986 and is the President of Regenerative Patch Technologies, a biotechnology firm developing a bioengineered stem cell-based implant targeting improvement of retinal function in patients with retinal degeneration. Dr. Lebkowski also serves as an advisor to several academic and biotechnology institutions. 

    From 2013-2017, Jane Lebkowski served as Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D at Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc, where she headed all preclinical, product, regulatory, and clinical development of Asterias’ regenerative medicine and dendritic cell based-cancer immunotherapy products.   

    Prior to joining Asterias, Dr. Lebkowski was Senior Vice President of Regenerative Medicine and Chief Scientific Officer at Geron Corporation.  Dr. Lebkowski led Geron’s human embryonic stem cell program from 1998-2012 and was responsible for all research, preclinical development, product development, manufacturing, and clinical development activities supporting cell-based therapies for several regenerative medicine indications including spinal cord injury and cardiovascular disease.  Prior to Geron, Dr. Lebkowski was Vice President of R&D at Applied Immune Sciences and at Rhone Poulenc Rorer (currently Sanofi) where she directed activities to develop T cell-based cancer immunotherapies for solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and AIDs. Dr. Lebkowski received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Princeton University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Genetics, Stanford University. 

    Dr. Lebkowski has published over 80 peer reviewed publications and has 19 issued U.S. patents.  Dr. Lebkowski has served on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy and the International Society Stem Cell Research along with numerous scientific advisory boards and professional committees. Dr. Lebkowski has served on panels sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and FDA to brainstorm initiatives to improve and scale the production of cell-based therapies.  Dr. Lebkowski also served as an alternate industry representative on FDA’s Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee. 

  • The tremendous progress of stem cell science and technology underpins the great potential for this field to develop therapeutics and diagnostics that could revolutionize the way disease is detected and treated. The ISSCR has a critical multidisciplinary role to lead  communication, education, regulation, and translation of these scientific advancements into benefits for society.  

    I have been involved in the development of stem cell-based therapies since 1986, having participated in the translation of hematopoietic and pluripotent stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of malignancies, spinal cord injury and retinal disorders. I have led teams in the basic science, preclinical and CMC development, cGMP production, and clinical development of such therapeutics. I have direct experience in the financial and legal requirements to operate such endeavors and the need to balance and focus expenditures on mission critical activities. 

    I have been a member of the ISSCR since its inception and most recently served two terms on the Board of Directors of ISSCR and on the Finance Committee.  I have also served on the ISSCR Manufacturing, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Committee and the Industry Committee focusing efforts working with regulators to advance manufacturing and clinical development of pluripotent stem cell-based therapies. 

    I am interested in serving as the Treasurer of the ISSCR to contribute my expertise to ISSCR and its executive team to help manage the financial resources of the society while enabling ISSCR to expand its service to the field and achieve its critical goals. 

Lee Rubin, PhD
Harvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, USA

  • Lee Rubin is Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (SCRB) at Harvard University, Co-Director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Nervous System Disease Program, Faculty Advisor for HSCI iPSC Core and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute. 

  • I received my PhD in neuroscience at The Rockefeller University and did postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and Stanford University School of Medicine. Subsequently, I was on the faculty at Rockefeller University and Professor of Anatomy and Director of the Eisai Neurodegenerative Disease Institute at University College London. I relocated to Harvard University when the HSCI and the SCRB department were just being established. 

    Importantly, in between positions at these academic institutions, I worked in two biotechnology companies. At the first, Athena Neurosciences (later Elan Pharmaceuticals), I was director of the blood-brain barrier program and initiated the program that ultimately resulted in the development of Tysabri, an anti-integrin antibody that blocks T-cell trafficking into the brain and is a frontline treatment for the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis. Later, I was Chief Scientific Officer of Ontogeny (later Curis Inc), a Cambridge-based biotechnology company founded by Doug Melton. There, I and my colleagues discovered the first set of hedgehog pathway agonists (smoothened agonists, now used by numerous investigators to produce ventral neurons from pluripotent cells) and antagonists (one of which was developed with Genentech and is now marketed as Erivedge, an oral drug used to treat metastatic basal cell carcinoma). Working with (and supporting) academic investigators when I was in industry and working with (and being supported by) biotech and pharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists gives me a uniquely comprehensive view of these types of collaborative efforts. 

    At Harvard, my work combines iPSC biology, which we use to study neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases (particularly motor neuron diseases), with mouse studies on brain aging. All of our work is pointed in a translational direction. In particular, we were among the very first people to screen thousands of small molecules on neurons produced from pluripotent cells, ultimately identifying a new target for ALS (now in the clinic). Using a similar combination of chemical biology and patient-derived neurons, we have also studied Spinal Muscular Atrophy (both motor neurons and muscle) and Parkinson’s disease (combining small molecules and environmental perturbagens). Most recently, we were among the first groups to identify the effects of blood-borne factors on aged mouse brain. One of these, GDF11, is scheduled to enter the clinic with the goal of stimulating post-stroke brain repair. 

    I am the founder of numerous biotechnology companies including iPierian, the very first pluripotent cell disease modeling company co-founded with George Daley and Doug Melton. I am also on the advisory board of several foundations and biotech companies. 

  • I have been a member of the ISSCR since its beginning and have participated in organizing various sessions and a clinical translation day. I have been a member of the Industry Subcommittee, Manufacturing, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Committee, and most pertinently, a member of the Finance Committee for the last few years. I have been impressed with how well ISSCR’s finances have done under the careful stewardship of Keith Alm, together with Ken Zaret, the prior Treasurer, and Clive Svendsen, the current Treasurer. I believe that I can help maintain ISSCR’s strong cash/investment portfolio. More than that, however, because of the various experiences I’ve had and the perspectives I’ve gained, I would be interested in discovering whether we can diversify ISSCR’s sources of income so that we can maintain the integrity of the society while keeping costs as low as possible, especially for trainees and young investigators. I would also like to help ensure that ISSCR’s finances are not limiting its choice of future directions, especially as stem cell therapies and disease modeling become more important in studying and treating uniquely human disorders. 

Clerk Candidates

The Clerk oversees the Society’s committees, including structure, mission, and membership, with the goal of achieving equity, diversity, and inclusion across all Society functions. The Clerk is chair of the Strategic Oversight Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.

Shuibing Chen, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine, USA

  • Shuibing Chen is the Kilts Family Professor and Vice Chair of Innovation in the Department of Surgery, and the founding Director of the Center for Genomic Health at Weill Cornell Medicine.

  • Shuibing Chen is the Kilts Family Professor and Vice Chair of Innovation in the Department of Surgery, and the founding Director of the Center for Genomic Health at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her scientific career has focused on deriving cells and organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and leveraging these hPSC-derived models for disease research and drug discovery. Dr. Chen has identified numerous small molecules that regulate stem cell fate decisions through high-throughput and high-content chemical screening. She has established a comprehensive hPSC platform comprising over 15 types of hPSC-derived cells and organoids, enabling systematic investigations into how genetic and environmental factors influence disease progression. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Chen led a consortium to apply hPSC-derived cells and organoids to study SARS-CoV-2 tropism, host response, immune cell-mediated tissue damage, and antiviral drug discovery. This work included developing an immune-cardiac platform to model immune-mediated heart damage and identifying a JAK inhibitor that protects host cells from immune cell-induced damage. Notably, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for a JAK inhibitor during the pandemic. 

    In 2019, Dr. Chen founded the Diabetes Program at WCM, aiming to develop precision medicine for diabetes patients. This program was later expanded to form the Center for Genomic Health. Her team developed an innovative pipeline combining GWAS, isogenic hPSCs, and humanized mouse models to systematically evaluate diabetes-associated genetic variants. Using this approach, they identified drug candidates that enhance pancreatic beta-cell generation, proliferation, survival, and function. This pipeline, initially designed for diabetes research, is now applied to other diseases, including cardiovascular and infectious diseases. 

    Dr. Chen has authored more than 70 publications in top-tier journals, including Nature, Nature Medicine, Cell Stem Cell, Cell Metabolism, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Chemical Biology, and Circulation Research. She has served as Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for the International Chemical Biology Society and has received numerous prestigious awards, including the New York Stem Cell Foundation Robertson Investigator Award, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Innovative Award, the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, the ISSCR Dr. Susan Lim Award for Outstanding Young Investigator. 

    Dr. Chen has been an active member of the ISSCR since 2006. From 2019 to 2022, she served on the ISSCR Publication Committee and continues to contribute as a member of the Stem Cell Reports Editorial Board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with Dr. Christine Mummery and ISSCR to launch the first ISSCR digital series, “COVID-19 Networking Meetings,” a weekly forum for sharing the latest COVID-19 research within the stem cell community, which was expanded as ISSCR Digital Series. In 2022, Dr. Chen served as Track Chair for the ISSCR Annual Meeting Organizing Committee. Since 2023, she has been serving on the ISSCR Board of Directors and is a member of the Early Career Advisory Committee. 

  • As a Susan Lim Award recipient and a member of the ISSCR Board of Directors, I have gained invaluable knowledge and support from my colleagues at ISSCR. Serving as ISSCR Clerk would provide an opportunity for me to contribute more significantly to our community by focusing on building the infrastructure to coordinate efforts among the Board of Directors, Executive Team, staff, and committees. I would like to continue and expand the infrastructure established by past and current leaders, with a focus on three key areas: 

    1. Bridging basic science and clinical applications: Stem cell biology is experiencing a golden era of transplantation and clinical therapy. As a basic scientist embedded in a clinical department, we will further strengthen the infrastructure to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical translation by fostering communication and collaboration across these domains. 

    2. Integrating innovative technologies: Emerging technologies like AI and ML hold transformative potential for stem cell research. We plan to integrate these tools to better serve the ISSCR community and advance the society’s mission. 

    3. Mentoring the next generation leaders: The future of stem cell research depends on recruiting and mentoring MD, PhD, and undergraduate students. We will create student chapters, student-led mini-symposia, and mentoring programs to inspire and support the next generation leaders. 

    As an Asian female scientist, I firmly believe that diversity in gender, geography, and scientific perspectives is essential for organizational success. I look forward to collaborating with ISSCR colleagues to promote inclusivity and innovation within our society. 

  • View Shuibing Chen’s video.

Megan Munsie, PhD
University of Melbourne & Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia

  • Megan Munsie has been involved in leadership roles in the Australian and international stem cell community for over 20 years. She is Professor of Emerging Technologies (Stem Cells) at the University of Melbourne and Group Leader of Stem Cell Ethics & Policy at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Megan currently serves on the ISSCR Board, Ethics and Public Policy Committees and on advisory committees for several peak national and international bodies. She started her career as a laboratory-based scientist and now leads interdisciplinary research into the ethical, legal and societal implications of stem cell science and its clinical translation. 

  • I am an interdisciplinary researcher who combines my scientific expertise in developmental biology with a deep understanding of the ethical, legal and societal implications (ELSI) of stem cell science and its clinical translation. My research focuses on understanding community attitudes and expectations in regenerative medicine and other emerging technologies. I also examine the role of policy and professional standards to enable responsible translation of stem cell and related research. Findings from my research have influenced policy reforms at a national and international level and informed the design and delivery of educational resources for patients, healthcare professionals and the public for more than a decade. I am based in Melbourne where I hold the roles of Professor of Emerging Technology (Stem Cells) at the University of Melbourne’s Medical School, and Group Leader of Stem Cell Ethics & Policy at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. 

    I have been an active member of the stem cell research community since the mid 1990s. Since mid 2000s, I have led public education and policy activities for a series of major Australian Government funded programs in stem cell science (2007 -2019), and currently head an ELSI research theme for the transglobal Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW). I am the immediate past President of the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research and currently serve on the ISSCR Board as well as the ISSCR Ethics and Public Policy Committees. In addition, I have served on advisory committees to numerous peak national and international bodies including the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, EuroGCT and the Australian Academy of Science.  

    I have extensive experience in biotechnology and worked for ten years as a clinical embryologist in Australian IVF clinics prior to embarking on my career in stem cell science. I completed my Masters of Reproductive Science and PhD at Monash University and science degree at the Queensland University of Technology. During my PhD studies I published the first proof-of-concept for therapeutic cloning in a mouse model. It was the polarised reaction to this research that inspired me to pursue my interest in education, ethics and regulation. 

    I received the 2018 ISSCR Public Service Award in recognition of my contributions over many years to public outreach and policy advocacy in stem cell science.  

  • Having served as Chair of the ISSCR Ethics Committee (2017-2021), I have long been aware of the important role the ISSCR Clerk plays in supporting the effective operations of our society. I have worked with previous Clerks to ensure that we carefully consider committee composition not only with respect to expertise, but also career stage, geographic representation, and gender balance. During my term as chair, we were able to extend invitations to colleagues from disciplines and regions that had previously been underrepresented on the Ethics Committees. 

     Through continuing to serve on the Ethics and Public Policy Committees, I have also directly observed the benefit of recently introduced changes that have increased the effectiveness of ISSCR operations, such as appointing vice-chairs to ISSCR Committees and facilitating greater cross-representation of members and Board Directors serving on committees.  

    I am honoured to be nominated for this role, and if elected, will continue to strive to support ISSCR’s mission to promote excellence in stem cell research and its responsible translation. I will draw on my links across regional stem cell and regenerative medicine societies and networks to identify members from laboratory research, humanities and industry sectors at different career stages around the globe to serve on committees,  and work with the ISSCR Executive Committee, staff and chairs and deputy chairs across the ten Committees to achieve ISSCR’s vision for a world where stem cell science is encouraged, ethics are prioritized, and discovery improves understanding and advances human health. 

  • Eugenia Piddini is Professor of Cell Biology and School Research Director at the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, UK. 

  • Eugenia Piddini is Professor of Cell Biology and School Research Director at the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, UK. She is a leading cell and tissue biologist, renowned for her groundbreaking work on cell competition, a mechanism of tissue quality control that has profound implications for stem cell and cancer biology. Among her landmark findings was the discovery that cellular fitness influences stem cell niches, shaping how damaged or less fit stem cells are replaced by healthier counterparts—a process fundamental to tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Her group has further contributed to demonstrating that cell competition is co-opted by cancer cells to promote cancer expansion. The group have also shown that cell competition removes damaged cells from injured epithelia to reinstate tissue integrity. Piddini’s group have identified key molecular players of cell competition - they discovered mechanical cell competition, driven by p53, and demonstrated that proteostasis defects lead to the competitive elimination of cells, a finding particularly relevant for ageing tissues.  

    Professor Piddini earned her undergraduate degree in Cell Biology in native Italy at the University of Palermo, and her PhD from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany. Following her doctoral work, she undertook postdoctoral research in Jean-Paul Vincent’s lab at the National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK. In 2010, Piddini established her independent laboratory at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. Since 2017, Professor Piddini has been a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Bristol, where she is also been School Research Director since 2022. 

    Professor Piddini’s contributions have been widely recognized. She was awarded the Hooke Medal from the British Society for Cell Biology in 2019, was elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2023 and became Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2024.  

    Beyond her scientific achievements, Professor Piddini is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. She is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in science and has published on the importance of fostering inclusive research environments. She actively promotes these values within her institution, the ISSCR and the broader scientific community. 

  • My research aims to understand how cells interact in complex tissues to determine and maintain tissue function. That curiosity has brought me to interrogate the cell biology of progenitor and stem cells, helping to lay the foundations of the field of stem cell competition, a booming area with impact in cancer research and regenerative medicine. 

    Over the past 10 years I have enjoyed working with the ISSCR in many roles and this has given me the opportunity to appreciate the work of the Society, the impact that it is making globally and the values that it strives for.  

    As member of the Membership and International Outreach Committee (MIOC, 2018-present) I have contributed to our Society’s efforts to lower activation barriers for meeting attendance for scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. As Co-Chair of the 2025 Annual Program Committee (2023-present) I have led the creation of the scientific program, injecting depth, breadth and originality of topics in the program, while putting emphasis on expanding our reach to bring to the program scientific talent from across the globe. As chair of the ISSCR Education Committee (EC; 2022-present), I have been leading the ISSCR education mission. I have reflected deeply on the unique opportunities and challenges that our field and community are presented with. We can literally change the world of medicine but, in order to do so, we need to bring along the public, policy makers and clinicians, who sit at the interphase between the stem cell revolution and our primary public stakeholders: patients. Working with ISSCR leadership and the EC we identified the need to develop tools to educate clinicians in stem cell sciences and medicine. The first such effort, is a program for Continuing Medical Education (CME), a joint effort between the ISSCR EC and Harvard Medical School, which will see the first unit released later this year.  

    If elected, I will be excited to lean on my past experience serving the ISSCR to promote the ISSCR mission and support the work of ISSCR committees. I will strive to increase membership participation and leverage the great pool of talent that makes the ISSCR community.

Eugenia Piddini, PhD, MSc
University of Bristol, UK

Director Candidates

In this election, ISSCR members will vote for two directors with clinical/translational expertise in support of the strategic direction of the society. Directors are elected to serve a 3-year term and may be re-appointed to serve a second term.

Director Seat #1

Ton Rabelink, MD, PhD
Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands

  • Ton Rabelink is a Professor of Internal Medicine, nephrologist and transplant physician at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands. He is also chair of the Department of Medicine. 

  • Ton Rabelink has dedicated his career to the development of regenerative therapies to treat patients with chronic kidney diseases. He has been instrumental in advancing fundamental knowledge of kidney regeneration and repair. His research aims to increase our understanding on the biology of kidney tissue homeostasis and regeneration, with a particular focus on the role of cell metabolism and metabolic communication between cells [Nature Metabolism 2022, Cell Stem Cell 2022). He has explored the role of metabolism in endothelial function and angiogenesis in the context of kidney development, organoid maturation and tissue repair [ORCID 0000-0001-6780-5186].  

    As a nephrologist and transplant physician, Rabelink has demonstrated  keen interest in translating these fundamental insights back to clinical practice. His team for instance developed a new protocol to extend donor kidney preservation time outside the body [Nature Communications 2024]. Additionally, he and his team are involved in several clinical studies using (iPSC-based) cellular therapies for diabetes and kidney disease [Am J Transplantion 2021]. 

    To achieve the critical mass of resources and expertise required to accelerate stem cell research, Ton Rabelink has led several significant international research initiatives, such as the EU Horizon consortium STELLAR, focusing on developing stem cell-based therapies for kidney repair. In addition, he co-founded the regenerative medicine consortium RegMedXB, serving as the kidney moonshot leader, aiming to create alternatives to renal replacement therapies. He is the Leiden node director for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW [www.renew.science].  Rabelink is an elected member of the Academia Europaea.  In 2024, he received an ERC Advanced Grant (SPARK) to study the fundamental mechanisms of kidney regeneration, furthering his contributions to regenerative medicine. 

    Determined to ensure these efforts reach patients in a sustainable manner, Rabelink has made significant efforts that drive the scalable, affordable and production of accessible cell and gene therapies.  He is Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of NecstGen, a non-profit Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility for cell and gene therapy located at the Leiden Bio Science Park [www.necstgen.com]. This facility supports the development and manufacturing of advanced therapies, bridging the gap between research and clinical application. His commitment to translation towards clinical application is further underscored by the generation of GMP iPSC lines in an academic setting for clinical use [Cytotherapy 2024] 

  • As a nephrologist, transplant physician, and Chair of Medicine at Leiden University Medical Center, I bring a comprehensive blend of clinical, management, and research expertise that aligns closely with ISSCR’s core mission. My work in regenerative medicine, particularly in kidney regeneration and repair, highlights my commitment to advancing basic science in this vital field.  

    I have led significant international research initiatives, aimed at developing stem cell-based therapies, and have actively engaged in clinical studies focused on cell therapy for kidney disease, demonstrating my commitment to clinical translation. My role as Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of NecstGen demonstrates my dedication to bridging the gap between research and clinical application, ensuring that innovative therapies reach patients effectively while navigating regulatory and economical challenges in the development of cell and gene therapies.  

    I am particularly attuned to the critical challenges facing international stem cell research, including equity of access and the need for cost-effective solutions. The multidisciplinary nature of the ISSCR inspires me and I am eager to foster collaboration and innovation as an ISSCR board member. This unlocks novel insights and technologies that address these issues and can drive sustainable progress in regenerative medicine globally. 

Peter Zandstra, PhD, FRSC, PEng
University of British Columbia, Canada

  • I am the founding director of the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), where my research integrates engineering, computational modeling, and bioprocess design to advance stem cell biology and develop therapeutic applications. My lab has pioneered scalable bioprocesses for generating pluripotent stem cell-derived blood and cardiac cells, enabling early clinical trials and innovative leukemia treatments. We have developed suspension bioreactors and synthetic niches that support tissue engineering, drug discovery, and immune cell therapies, while applying machine learning to optimize CAR-T cell therapies and establish quality-by-design principles for cell manufacturing. 

    My career focuses on translating stem cell biology into robust, scalable processes for regenerative medicine. Notable contributions include engineering artificial thymic niches to guide T-cell development and creating bioreactor systems for clinical-grade blood stem cells, opening new avenues for leukemia treatment. I have mentored over 75 trainees who now lead in academia, industry, and government. I have co-founded ventures and initiatives such as CCRM, Medicine by Design, Excellthera, and Notch Therapeutics to bridge research and real-world applications. 

  • Dr. Peter Zandstra is the Director of the University of British Columbia's (UBC) School of Biomedical Engineering. His work integrates engineering design principles, computational modeling, and stem cell biology to enhance our fundamental understanding of cell fate control mechanisms. His research focuses on developing new and accessible therapeutic approaches for disease treatment, particularly using cells from the blood-forming system to treat cancer and autoimmunity. His education includes a BEng in Chemical Engineering from McGill University, a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from UBC, and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Bioengineering from MIT. Key discoveries from his lab include scalable suspension manufacturing of pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives, engineering an artificial thymic niche for clinically relevant ex vivo T-cell development, and elucidating fundamental mechanisms in human multicellular tissue pattern formation. Dr. Zandstra has received broad recognition for his work, including being named a Member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in Engineering. 

  • If elected to the ISSCR Board, I would draw on my expertise in developing and deploying innovative technologies for stem cell research and translation, including cell therapy manufacturing, computational modeling (with applications in AI), and next-generation biodevice design. My experience in fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and government positions me to help strengthen ISSCR's role as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration. I am particularly passionate about leveraging bioengineering strategies—such as computational models, advanced manufacturing platforms, and synthetic niches—to make regenerative medicine therapies more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective, ensuring the science emerging from labs worldwide has an opportunity to deliver meaningful clinical impact. 

    I am particularly interested in serving ISSCR by contributing to initiatives that explore new standards and technologies in stem cell science, including advancements in manufacturing, automation, synthetic biology, and emerging tools such as “digital twins” of developmental and regenerative medicine systems. These approaches can provide new insights into stem cell biology and enhance the development of clinical applications. Additionally, I am passionate about understanding how these technologies can attract the best and brightest minds to the field, ensuring our long-term leadership in this evolving field. I also see the ISSCR as a vital resource for scientists, government and the public, offering leadership in key societal or translational topics related to stem cells and regenerative medicine.  

Director Seat #2

Kapil Bharti, PhD
National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA

  • Kapil Bharti is the Scientific Director of the National Eye Institute (NEI), Chief of the Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section where he is the Principal Investigator for the NEI’s AutologousPhase I/IIa iPS Cell Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Patch for patients with Macular Degeneration. ORCID: 0000-0003-4884-3173.

  • I grew up in India, where I studied biophysics for my undergraduate degree. This training ignited my interest in learning the biophysical properties of cellular function. I applied for an international student scholarship to do Ph.D. in molecular cellbiology in Germany. This scholarship helped me join J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, where I graduated summa cum laude, in molecular biology and transcription regulation. After listening to a seminar from Dr. Walter Gehring, a renowned developmental biologist, and an eye researcher, I decided to use my biophysics and molecular biology training to further understand the initiating events of embryonic eye development. I came to the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) for my postdoc training. During this stage, I published numerous papers on the development of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer tissue in the back of the eye responsible for maintaining retinal photoreceptors' health and functioning. In advanced stages of macular degeneration, a blinding eye disease that affects elderly, RPE cell death leads to photoreceptor cell death, vision loss, and blindness. The discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cells) in 2006/2007 made me think I could apply my mouse RPE developmental biology expertise to improve stem cell to RPE differentiation protocols – hoping this would accelerate the RPE cell therapy work that had started around that time. My efforts got me hired at the NEI as an independent investigator, and our work eventually led to a highly reproducible and efficient protocol to generate RPE from iPS cells. My lab successfully completed the first U.S. IND on autologous iPS cell derived RPE, starting the first U.S. phase I/IIa trial to test autologous iPSC-derived RPE patch in macular degeneration patients in 2020. This transplant is currently being tested in macular degeneration patients. As the next stage therapy, my lab is co-developing a dual RPE/photoreceptor cell therapy with Opsis Therapeutics. My lab has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and reviews, I have presented over 30 keynote and named lectures, and won several awards, including the NIH Director's award, NEI Director’s, Dr. Karl Kupfer Visionary award, and Sayer Vision Research Lecture at NEI. My current work as a Senior Investigator at NEI/NIH involves understanding the mechanism of retinal degenerative diseases using iPS cell-derived eye cells and tissues and developing cell-based and drug-based therapies for such diseases. Recently, I was selected as the Scientific Director of the NEI Intramural Research Program, where I oversee 21 research labs, 6 core facilities, and a staff of over 350 people. I continue to advocate for transformative vision research – from basic to translational sciences.

  • As outlined in my biography, my journey to becoming a translational stem cell biologist for eye diseases was driven by a belief we could enable autologous cell therapy for macular degeneration by improving retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) differentiation using a developmentally guided process. We successfully completed a 12,410-page IND application to test an autologous iPSC-RPE patch in patients with macular degeneration. Our success as the first autologous iPS cell therapy IND application in the United States led to numerous inquiries for guidance from groups who were doing similar work elsewhere. This led me to establish an autologous iPS cell therapy consortium to share our experiences to support the advancement of IND applications in various fields, both within and outside of ophthalmology. I hope with ISSCR support, I can extend my expertise to help a wider audience. This will enable us to support groups who develop cell therapies and will help establish best practices for developing cell therapies. As part of another such ISSCR initiative, I co-chair an international group focused on developing a jurisdictionally neutral regulatory framework for cell-based therapies.

    During our IND work, I had the privilege of supervising a multidisciplinary and diverse team of scientists, engineers, clinicians, and regulatory experts. This experience has underscored the value of diverse work cultures, the importance of executing translational projects on strict timelines, and the need to strategically prioritize and troubleshoot complex goals. In this regard, I align closely with the principles of the ISSCR and its community, striving to bring clinically oriented cell therapies to patients in need.

Lijian Hui, PhD
Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

  • Dr. Lijian Hui is a full Professor and Principal Investigator at the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, CAS, China.

  • Dr. Lijian Hui is an internationally recognized leading scientist in the research frontier of liver regeneration and cell therapy. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of SIBCB, President of the Chinese Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (CSCGT), and a board member of the Chinese Society of Cell Biology (CSCB).

    Dr. Hui has pioneered research in regenerative biology, focusing on cell identity conversion, including transdifferentiation and dedifferentiation during liver regeneration in mammals. His group was the first to discover the transdifferentiation of somatic cells into hepatocytes (Nature 2011) and has systematically elucidated the regulatory mechanisms behind hepatocyte dedifferentiation in liver injuries (Cell Stem Cell 2018, 2019, 2023; Nature Genetics 2024). Building on these findings, his group developed innovative methods for generating functional human hepatocytes, including transdifferentiated human hepatocytes (hiHep, Cell Stem Cell 2014) and dedifferentiation and expansion of primary human hepatocytes (ProliHH, Cell Stem Cell 2018), providing new cell sources for hepatocyte-based therapy. Notably, his group has used hiHep to build a bioartificial liver device (Cell Research 2016, Cell Stem Cell 2023), which received IND approval by China FDA in 2022 and is now in the clinical Phase IIa trial. Additionally, his group is now actively working to advance ProliHH into clinical applications (Cell Stem Cell, 2024a, b) 

    Dr. Hui has received several prestigious awards, including the Top 10 Scientific Advances of China, the Natural Science Award of Shanghai Municipality, and the Tan Jiazhen Life Science Innovation Award. He also serves on the editorial boards of several esteemed journals, including Cell Stem Cell and Hepatology. Furthermore, he has organized numerous international conferences, including the 2020 FASEB liver meeting, the CSH-Asia liver meetings in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023, the 2018 joint EMBO-CSCB meeting on Tissue Regeneration and Tumorigenesis, and the 2024 Cell Research Symposium on Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration.

  • I am eager to serve in this role due to my extensive experience in both academic research and translational studies. With over 22 years dedicated to basic research in cell biology and liver regeneration, I have actively led two translational projects over the past decade. I have established strong and enduring collaborations with international institutions and research centers. Additionally, I have served as a member of the Program Committee for the ISSCR annual meeting this year and have contributed multiple times as an abstract reviewer for the annual meeting. Currently, I am a member of the International Outreach Committee of ISSCR.

    My experience, spanning from basic to translational research, positions me to offer valuable perspectives that will benefit the ISSCR community. I am enthusiastic about sharing my insights on translating original findings from basic research into clinical applications, and I am committed to serve ISSCR to promote the integration of groundbreaking discoveries into cell and gene therapies.

Current Directors
Candidates for Re-Appointment

The below Directors have served one term and are eligible for re-appointment. Directors can serve up to two terms.

Kathy Niakan, PhD
University of Cambridge, UK

  • Kathy Niakan is Mary Marshall and Arthur Walton Professor of Reproductive Physiology, Director of the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research and Co-Chair of Cambridge Reproduction Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. 

  • I am Mary Marshall and Arthur Walton Professor of Reproductive Physiology and Director of the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research at the University of Cambridge. I also Co-Chair Cambridge Reproduction, an Interdisciplinary Research Centre bringing together expertise from 42 different departments, faculties and associated institutions to offer new perspectives on reproduction and to engage with the public on sensitive areas of research. From 2021, I have been an Affiliate Member of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Honorary Group Leader at the Babraham Institute.  

    My laboratory pioneered approaches to investigate the function of genes that regulate early human development and the molecular mechanisms that direct cell fate in human embryos. We obtained the first nationally regulated research licence to perform CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in human embryos. This created a framework for future functional investigations with the potential to inform our understanding of human biology. Our work underscores the importance of further basic research to assess the safety of genome editing in human embryos, which will inform debates about the potential clinical use of this technology. 

    We have optimised multiple loss-of-function methods to uncover mechanisms underlying thefirst and second cell fate decisions in humans; we discovered gene regulatory networks specific tohuman embryos; and we defined mechanisms that areevolutionarily conserved across mammals. These discoveries validate the need to study humanembryos directly. We improved human pluripotent stem cell culture media by leveraging insights from functional analysis of human embryos to more closely recapitulate physiologically relevant conditions. Insights into the signalling pathways and transcription factors regulating embryonic cells also informed methods to switch human pluripotent stem cell lines into placental and yolk sac cells. 

    My laboratory has also generated extensive pre-clinical data that were used tosupport changes in UK law regulating mitochondrial replacement therapy, a novel reproductivetechnology to prevent fatal inherited diseases. Our University of Newcastle collaborators were subsequentlygranted a clinical licence to perform mitochondrial replacement therapy. My research, policy advocacy and engagement has been recognised, for example with the award of the Genetics Society Mary Lyon Medal, election to EMBO membership, Blavatnik Award in Life Sciences Finalist, and the London Science Museum retaining our research licence in their permanent collection. 

    I was a member of the Task Force to update the ISSCR Guidelines in 2021. I serve on the ISSCR Ethics Committee (since 2021), Nominating and Awards Committee (since 2024), Strategic Oversight Committee (since 2024). I am also a Member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Ethics Board (since 2024) and served on the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Embryo Models Working Group (since 2024). I was PI on a BBSRC funded project to develop the UK Stem Cell-Based Embryo Model Code of Practice. 

    I obtained a B.Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology and a B.A. in English Literature from University of Washington, supported by a Mary Gates Research Scholarship. I obtained my PhD at University of California, Los Angeles, supported by a National Institutes of Health Pre-doctoral Training Grant, Paul D. Boyer Fellowship and a Chancellor’s Dissertation Year Fellowship. I undertook postdoctoral training at Harvard University. I was a Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research Next Generation Research Fellow at University of Cambridge. I was previously a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute, formerly the National Institute for Medical Research. 

Kenneth S. Zaret, PhD
Unversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA

  • Ken Zaret is the Joseph Leidy Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at UPenn. 

  • Dr. Zaret obtained his Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1982 and was a Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow at UC San Francisco until 1985.  In 1986-1999, he rose to Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Brown University, RI, and in 1999-2009 he held the W.W. Smith Chair in Cancer Research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he also served as Program Leader of Cell and Developmental Biology.  Since 2009, Dr. Zaret has been the Joseph Leidy Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn, and since 2014, he has been the Director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at UPenn.  Dr. Zaret is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021), the European Molecular Biology Organization (2022, Associate Member), and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2022). 

    Dr. Zaret's laboratory discovered a bipotential precursor population for liver and pancreas progenitors in the embryonic endoderm.  They showed that inductive signals from two distinct mesodermal cell types coordinately control the liver vs. pancreas fate decision.  His group found that the tissue inductive signals connect to chromatin features in endoderm cells that constitute a “pre-pattern” to enable tissue induction.  They also discovered that the liver emanates from two distinct domains in the foregut endoderm, induced by signaling in different ways.  They discovered that endothelial cells signal to the liver and pancreas progenitors to promote morphogenesis, independent of blood flow; as subsequently seen in diverse contexts. Dr. Zaret's group discovered and named “pioneer transcription factors” that bind to silent chromatin, endowing the competence for cell differentiation and promoting cellular reprogramming.  They found that silent chromatin binding is imparted by the inherent ability of pioneer factors to recognize their target motif, or a partial motif, on the surface of a nucleosome.  Pioneer factors provide a mechanistic explanation for the ability of certain transcription factors, but not others, to initiate cell fate decisions in development and reprogramming.  Recently, his lab discovered that H3K9me3-heterochromatin domains are dynamic in embryonic development and are the most restrictive chromatin feature for repressing gene activity during cell fate changes.  The lab's proteomic and genetic functional screens of heterochromatin proteins revealed diverse new ways to modulate cell fate decisions.  His laboratory's findings on the mechanisms of gene, cell, and tissue induction have provided numerous insights for generating liver and pancreas cells from stem cells as disease models and future therapies. 

    Within the ISSCR, Dr. Zaret has given talks at plenary sessions over the years, he has served on the Program Committee for the 2019 ISSCR annual meeting, and he has served as Treasurer of the ISSCR from 2019 to 2022. 

About the ISSCR Board and Nominating Process

The ISSCR Board of Directors consists of 24 members across five continents, representing multiple disciples across the field. Six officers comprise the Executive Committee: the President, President-elect, Vice President, Past President, Clerk, and Treasurer. Board members are charged with the strategic direction of the society, towards the mission to promote excellence in stem cell research and applications to human health.

Nominations for the Board of Directors are submitted by the ISSCR community through an open call each year in September. All nominations are reviewed by the Nominating and Awards Committee, chaired by the Past President. Candidates are selected with attention given to scientific authority, international diversity, overall board composition, and alignment with strategic initiatives of the organization.

Please contact the ISSCR with questions.