We often equate scientific excellence with products (i.e. papers that report scientific discoveries), which are often attributed to a single individual. We struggle to define scientific excellence as encompassing equally important contributions such as the processes by which these papers were generated or the scientists, within and outside a lab, with whom co-creation of those papers has occurred.

I am still reflecting on the incredible experience at the ISSCR 2024 Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany last month listening to groundbreaking science at the talks, posters and in informal chats. Connecting with members of our community provided me with tremendous insight and inspiration. This highly successful annual meeting was created through the vision of Malin Parmar and Agnete Kirkeby in partnership with the members of the 2024 Program Committee, and under the leadership of Amander Clark. This hallmark annual event, along with the scientific programming the ISSCR offers throughout the year, would not be possible without the incredibly talented group of ISSCR staff members who support our program organizers. Their contributions every day to our Society cannot be overstated.

The ISSCR is thrilled to announce Valentina Greco, Yale School of Medicine, Genetics Department & Yale Stem Cell Center USA, as its President. Her term began at the ISSCR 2024 Annual Meeting held in Hamburg, Germany that concluded on Saturday, 13 July 2024.

The past year has been a time of remarkable scientific advancement and contributions from our growing ISSCR community. The ISSCR now represents nearly 5,000 individuals in more than 80 countries. Nearly half our members are students and postdocs, who are the future of our field. And while our field is moving fast, so is your society.

One of the greatest benefits of belonging to the ISSCR is the people we meet and connections we build. The strength of the ISSCR always has been its diverse members – individuals with varying career stages, research interests, and geography – comprise our growing global community.