THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST 10 years ago I was presented with an incredibly unique opportunity- to become the fifth patient with spinal cord injuries to participate in the world's first clinical trial testing a treatment made from human embryonic stem cells. It was not only a risky and potentially life-changing decision, … Continue reading Breaking down barriers: Expanding patient access and accelerating research
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Sharing ideas and data to advance regenerative medicine
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST If Kindergarten kids can learn to share why can't scientists? When I was a kid, we were always told to share our toys. It was a good way of teaching children the importance of playing nice with the other kids and avoiding conflicts. Those same virtues … Continue reading Sharing ideas and data to advance regenerative medicine
Lack of diversity leaves cloud hanging over asthma drug study
Asthma spacer, photo courtesy Wiki Media Creative Commons THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST If you want to know if a new drug or therapy is going to work in the people it affects the most you need to test the drug or therapy in the people most affected by the disease. … Continue reading Lack of diversity leaves cloud hanging over asthma drug study
Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Roadmap for Next Five Years
Dr. Maria Millan, CIRM's President & CEO It's hard to get somewhere if you don't know where you are going. Without a map you can't plan a route to your destination. That's why the CIRM Board approved a new Strategic Plan laying out a roadmap for the Stem Cell Agency for the next five years. … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Roadmap for Next Five Years
Creating a New Model for Diversity in Scientific and Medical Research
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Nature Cell Biology cover The global pandemic has highlighted many of the inequities in our health care system, and the need for more diversity in scientific and medical research. The virus hit communities of color the hardest. That has led to calls for greater diversity, equity … Continue reading Creating a New Model for Diversity in Scientific and Medical Research
A year unlike any other – a look back at one year post Prop 14
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST State flag of California 2020 was, by any standards, a pretty wacky year. Pandemic. Political convulsions. And a huge amount of uncertainty as to the funding of life-saving therapies at CIRM. Happily, those all turned out OK. We got vaccines to take care of COVID. The … Continue reading A year unlike any other – a look back at one year post Prop 14
Raising awareness about mental health
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIOCAST ON SPOTIFY World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. It's a time to try and raise awareness about mental health issues and the impact they have not just on the individual but their family, their community and all of us. The theme for … Continue reading Raising awareness about mental health
Lack of diversity impacts research into Alzheimer’s and dementia
THIS BLOT IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIOCAST ON SPOTIFY A National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases clinical trial admissions coordinator collects information from a volunteer to create a medical record. Credit: NIAID Alzheimer’s research has been in the news a lot lately, and not for the right reasons. The controversial decision by the … Continue reading Lack of diversity impacts research into Alzheimer’s and dementia
Using a stem cell’s journey to teach kids science
THIS BLOG CAN ALSO BE HEARD AS AN AUDIOCAST ON SPOTIFY As far as Aldo Pourchet is concerned you are never too young to learn about stem cells. Aldo should know. He’s a molecular and cellular biologist and the co-founder and CEO of Omios Bio, which develops immunotherapies for cancer, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Aldo … Continue reading Using a stem cell’s journey to teach kids science
Mother and daughter team up to fight bias and discrimination in treatment for people with sickle cell disease
LISTEN TO AN AUDIO VERSION OF THIS BLOG Adrienne Shapiro and Marissa Cors are a remarkable pair by any definition. The mother and daughter duo share a common bond, and a common goal. And they are determined not to let anyone stop them achieving that goal. Marissa was born with sickle cell disease (SCD) a … Continue reading Mother and daughter team up to fight bias and discrimination in treatment for people with sickle cell disease