The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) welcomes a distinguished group of new board members and alternates, each bringing a wealth of experience and leadership in healthcare, research, and innovation.
Joyce A. Sackey, MD, FACP
Dr. Sackey joins CIRM as an alternate for Linda Boxer. As the inaugural Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Stanford Medicine, she leads system‑wide efforts to advance inclusive excellence and health equity. She also serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean at the Stanford School of Medicine.
Her experience includes serving as Chief Diversity Officer for Tufts University’s Health Sciences campuses and co‑chairing the strategic planning committee at Tufts University School of Medicine. A board‑certified physician, she earned her medical degree from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. She is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the medical field.
Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD
Dr. Meltzer is the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and holds the May S. and John H. Hooval Dean’s Chair in Medicine. An expert in neuroradiology and nuclear medicine, she pioneered imaging technologies and AI applications in medicine. She held numerous academic leadership roles and received honors such as the American Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Her NIH‑funded research focuses on brain aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. She earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her graduate medical training at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Eyad Almasri, MD
Appointed by the UC Chancellor, Dr. Almasri joins CIRM as the Assistant Dean for Research at UCSF Fresno. He also serves as a Professor of Internal Medicine, specializing in pulmonary and critical care. He is also the Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Fresno Community Regional Medical Center.
Established as a leader in respiratory care during the pandemic, his research major contributions focuses on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID‑19 treatments. Dr. Almasri earned his medical degree from Damascus University. He completed his residency and fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh. He is committed to expanding research opportunities for residents, students, and the local community at UCSF Fresno.
Hala Madanat, PhD
Dr. Madanat was appointed to the CIRM Board by Governor Gavin Newsom. She serves as Vice President for Research and Innovation at San Diego State University (SDSU). AT SDSU she oversees research, and leads initiatives, like the SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District. Most recently she launched of Techstars San Diego.
She focuses on health disparities. Dr. Madanat built strong partnerships between SDSU and local health agencies to address public health challenges, including COVID‑19. She’s a respected scholor with nearly 100 peer‑reviewed publications and significant leadership in cancer research. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology with a minor in Public Health from Brigham Young University.
Donald P. Taylor, PhD, MBA
Dr. Taylor joins CIRM as an alternate for Kim Barrett. He serves as Chief Ventures Officer at UC Davis Health Ventures, where he leads commercialization of health innovations and intellectual property. With a strong background in biomedical entrepreneurship, he has led several start‑ups. He held executive roles at institutions such as Ohio State, and contributed to cancer therapy and diagnostic research. A five‑time life sciences entrepreneur, he holds a Ph.D. in bioengineering, and an MBA. He’s a distinguished alumnus award from the University of Pittsburgh for his work in biomedical innovation. His expertise in translating research into clinical applications makes him a valuable addition to the CIRM Board.
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