Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick James DeKloe, a distinguished professor of biotechnology and bio-manufacturing at Solano Community College, knows firsthand the importance of life sciences. It why he's so passionate about the CIRM program at Solano Community College known as Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem Cell Science, or COMPASS. It's personal Speaking at a recent presentation for the California … Continue reading Closer to Cures: James DeKloe and CIRM trainees discuss COMPASS program
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On a mission: A conversation with CIRM Board Vice Chair Maria Gonzalez Bonneville
Maria Gonzalez Bonneville is dedicated to improving health in California through her roles at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Since joining in 2011, she focuses on making therapies accessible and affordable. Her personal connection to Parkinson's disease drives her mission, alongside her extensive political and scientific expertise.
CIRM board supports a rare disease funding plan, administrative changes
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick South San Francisco, CA, January 30, 2026 – As many as 1 in 10 people in the U.S. has a rare disease, many of which have no known cure. A new program by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) could change this by funding novel ways to develop multiple … Continue reading CIRM board supports a rare disease funding plan, administrative changes
A life of service: A conversation with CIRM Board Chair Vito Imbasciani
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Ask Vito Imbasciani about his career and you will not hear a simple answer—you will hear a story of service to his country and to the people of California. Imbasciani, PhD, MD, FACS, Colonel (ret.), has chaired the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) since March 28, … Continue reading A life of service: A conversation with CIRM Board Chair Vito Imbasciani
Explore how CIRM is advancing California’s scientific vision
Our 2025 Annual Report, Looking Forward: Advancing California’s Scientific Vision, is here. This year’s report captures a future-focused mission that highlights progress, momentum, and long-term impact. It reflects California’s leadership in science, evokes hope and possibility, and embraces continual advancement in regenerative medicine. Inside the report, you'll find: Powerful Voices: Patients, families, and researchers share … Continue reading Explore how CIRM is advancing California’s scientific vision
A conversation with CIRM board member Yael Wyte
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Yael Wyte knows all too well how difficult it can be to have or care for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease—she has been working with and advocating for people with Alzheimer's Disease for more than 20 years. Earlier this year, Wyte joined the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine … Continue reading A conversation with CIRM board member Yael Wyte
“An awesome responsibility”: A conversation with CIRM board member Kim Barrett
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick It’s not every day that you get to contribute to something that could help save a life, but when Kim Barrett joined the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), that’s exactly what happened. Decades of research experience Barrett is a research physiologist. For 36 years, she studied … Continue reading “An awesome responsibility”: A conversation with CIRM board member Kim Barrett
Neurona Doses First Patient in CIRM-Funded Bilateral Epilepsy Cell Therapy Trial
Image Credit: Canva Stock Photo Neurona Therapeutics has reached a major milestone in the development of its stem cell approach to treating epilepsy. A new phase in clinical trial The company recently announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating NRTX-1001, a cell therapy for adults whose epilepsy … Continue reading Neurona Doses First Patient in CIRM-Funded Bilateral Epilepsy Cell Therapy Trial
20 Years of CIRM: From building the infrastructure to clinical trials
Twenty years ago, Californians voted in favor of Proposition 71, which allocated $3 billion to support stem cell research and created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). In 2020, Proposition 14 passed, providing an additional $5.5 billion. CIRM will reflect on the past two decades, highlighting early research that has evolved into potential therapies, … Continue reading 20 Years of CIRM: From building the infrastructure to clinical trials
CIRM awards $2.8 million to develop a gene therapy for rare neuromuscular disorders
Credit: Shutterstock The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) announced in January $100 million in funding for a broad range of projects, including four to support clinical programs. One of these was a $2.8 million award to Patricio Sepulveda, PhD, MBA, CEO of Amplo Biotechnology, Inc. That grant will support the development of a gene … Continue reading CIRM awards $2.8 million to develop a gene therapy for rare neuromuscular disorders