Two of our biggest boosters got a bit of a boost themselves today. Paul Knoepfler and Roman Reed have been named as honorees for this year’s Stem Cell Action Awards. It’s a great honor, and a well-deserved one in both cases.

Roman Reed (left) and Paul Knoepfler after Reed was named Stem Cell Person of the Year by Knoepfler on his blog

In a news release announcing the awards, Bernie Siegel, Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute, praised the winners saying:

“The work done by this year’s honorees has directly advanced stem cell research through research, funding and advocacy. They are passionate about making change and we are proud to honor their achievements.”

Paul, a stem cell researcher at UC Davis (you can read about his work here) and an avid blogger, is getting the National Advocacy Award for his work in educating patients and the public about stem cell research. That includes writing a stem cell whitepaper in 28 different languages and a book, Stem Cells: An Insider’s Guide, due out later this year.

Paul says he sees the award as validation of the idea that scientists can, and indeed should, be advocates too:

“I see educational outreach by stem cell scientists as essential given the rapidly evolving nature of the stem cell arena and exploding public interest. Receiving this award only motivates me to work even harder as both a scientist and advocate. I hope to inspire other stem cell scientists to be more active as advocates too.”

“In my lab we are excited about our work in understanding what makes stem cells tick, how to better use them clinically, and what all of that can teach us about cancer too. Funding from CIRM continues to be instrumental in these efforts. My overall goal is to make safer and more effective stem cell and cancer treatments a reality for patients.”

Roman, an activist for stem cell research funding, is being honored with the Inspiration Award, and anyone who knows Roman knows what an inspiring individual he is. Through his Roman Reed Foundation he has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for stem cell research, and helped create the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act which provides state funding for research into spinal cord injuries.

“It is such a huge honor to win the GPI Inspiration Award. It’s a clear affirmation of the impact that I have given my life to have on the field of stem cell research and cures. It is humbling and appreciated and inspiring me to do even more.”

“It is my goal to help usher in a new age of personalized medicine and a new dawn of cure. The cause of cure is a cause of hope.”

Other Stem Cell Action Award winners are:
Leadership Awards – Denny Sanford and Malin Burnham, philanthropists with the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in San Diego
Education Award: Mary Ann Liebert, publisher of biomedical journals including Stem Cells and Development

The awards will be given out at the World Stem Cell Summit in San Diego on December 5.

kevin mccormack