The Future: Engagement, Translation, Access

I’ve been a member of ISSCR for nearly 20 years. And I suspect, like many of you, my first interaction with the ISSCR was as an early career investigator presenting posters at the annual meeting. Throughout the years, I participated in round table activities first as a mentee and then as a mentor, I served on various ISSCR committees, worked toward strong public/private partnership between industry and academia, and supported the inclusion of early career investigators and members who identify as minorities in ISSCR activities.

What makes this society strong is our membership and engagement at all levels: from students to senior investigators from one side of the globe to the other. I’m honored to take on this new role within the ISSCR, to continue this path and take on new challenges.

During the course of my presidency, I will focus on the translation of science into medicine. Specifically, I will work to ensure the society expands our global engagement with clinicians and regulatory agencies to bring proven stem cell therapies to the patients who need them — and ensure that our physician colleagues have the tools and knowledge to actualize these therapies. 

At the same time, the society will continue to monitor emerging areas in our field. It is exciting to see work that has the potential to answer questions about early human development. It is also our responsibility to convene critical conversations about these areas of study and to ensure broad participation in the dialogue of how and why stem cell science contributes to improving human health.

An area that is causing considerable excitement is the new work using stem cell-based embryo models. Some of this work was presented at the ISSCR 2023 Annual Meeting, more published shortly after. The ISSCR took swift steps in this fast-moving area to create and publish a statement to better inform the public, journalists, and our community of the importance of this work to reproductive health and to clarify terminology used incorrectly in the press.

I will work to ensure that the society continues to advocate for the scientists and their critical work within our community.  As part of this work, we will expand our engagement with the public in order to foster transparency and trust in the process of how science becomes medicine, and work towards equity, global access, and affordability of proven stem cell treatments. There is a tremendous opportunity for the ISSCR to make a great impact in these areas over the next year and beyond.

It is a bright moment in time for our field and for ISSCR. I look forward to an exciting year ahead.