ISSCR News
ISSCR Remembers Roger Arnold Pedersen
The ISSCR is saddened to learn of the death of Roger Arnold Pedersen, PhD, a pioneering figure in stem cell biology and developmental genetics whose groundbreaking work has significantly shaped the understanding of early mammalian development and regenerative medicine. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Pedersen's research focused on unraveling the mechanisms behind early cell fate decisions, particularly in relation to pluripotency and tissue-specific differentiation. His discoveries, including the identification of epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) and their parallels with human embryonic stem cells, laid the foundation for advancing regenerative medicine. Dr. Pedersen was also instrumental in advocating for federal funding for stem cell research and mentoring numerous students and fellows, leaving a lasting legacy in both science and the scientific community.
Stewards of ISSCR’s Mission
While many of our committees produce visible outputs of their collective work that we highlight in our communications and at meetings, there are two in particular that are central to the Society that you may not know as much about. I confess I did not know the depth of their contributions until I joined the ISSCR Board of Directors. The work of the Finance Committee and the Strategic Oversight Committee underpin the framework for our Society, ensuring that we have the financial resources and the volunteer leadership talent to drive our mission forward.
Member Spotlight: Valentina Fossati, PhD
I work on a new field that allows scientist to generate stem cells from each individual's blood and then to create models of the human brain in a dish, something that was considered science-fiction when I took my first biology classes.
The ISSCR to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of iPSC Discovery in Kyoto, Japan
International Symposium Chaired by Nobel Laureate Shinya Yamanaka to be Held in October 2026
World-renowned stem cell scientists will gather in Kyoto, Japan for the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) International Symposium, 20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future. Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who earned the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his breakthrough iPSC discovery, is leading the scientific program for the historic event.
The ISSCR Announces New Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellows
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has appointed three new Goldstein Science Policy Fellows, Lizhong Liu, Ph.D., Westlake University, China, Kate MacDuffie, Ph.D., Seattle Children’s Research Institute, U.S.A., and Mubeen Goolam, Ph.D., University of Cape Town, South Africa. The fellows each have extensive interest in science policy and regulatory issues affecting stem cell science and will serve for three years beginning in June 2025.
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