Together, We Can Do So Much.

We ended last year with more ISSCR members than ever before. This year, we’ll do the same. It is remarkable growth, an indication of the strength of our community and the trajectory of our field.

This time of year, we often share messages about the benefits of becoming an ISSCR member: lower registration fees, discounts for publishing in Stem Cell Reports, and more. But membership is about something bigger.

Recently I traveled to São Paulo where our members taught a week-long stem cell biology course for 100 students from across the world. Students left with a global network they can call on for the rest of their careers. I left with a reminder that being an ISSCR member means being committed to scientific excellence – whether through mentorship and education, collaborative research, or advocacy.

In the last few months, the ISSCR has convened member-led task force meetings on public engagement, embryo models, and standards for clinical translation. We’ve hosted member-driven conversations and presentations about breaking work. Our Public Policy Committee responded to questions from the National Institutes of Health about ethical challenges facing the biomedical research community. And we’ve launched a new website, AboutStemCells.org, to deliver trustworthy information to patients and families considering stem cell-based therapy.

Whether or not you actively participate in these initiatives and events, your membership supports our shared mission of excellence in stem cell research and applications to human health.

Thank you for your membership, contributions, and your dedication. Together, we move the field forward.

Amander