California high schoolers “ignite innovation” at 2024 SPARK conference 

More than 100 student scientists from around California showcased their excitement for regenerative medicine and stem cell research at this year’s annual CIRM SPARK Conference in the sunny Inland Empire.    Hosted by UC Riverside from Aug. 5-6 at the Riverside Convention Center, this year’s event showcased the extraordinary talent and enthusiasm of high school students … Continue reading California high schoolers “ignite innovation” at 2024 SPARK conference 

Ready, set, pitch!

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funds and provides valuable educational and training opportunities in regenerative medicine for students and young professionals from backgrounds that reflect the diverse communities across California. One of the goals of these work training programs is to inspire the next generation of regenerative medicine scientists. CIRM does that by … Continue reading Ready, set, pitch!

Meet Our New CEO: Jonathan Thomas 

We are excited to reintroduce Jonathan Thomas (JT) as the new President and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. You can read the original press release here. We recently spoke with JT, who previously served as Chair of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and as interim President and CEO. He discussed what excites … Continue reading Meet Our New CEO: Jonathan Thomas 

Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has been at the forefront of advancing cellular and gene therapies for various forms of vision loss—including retinitis pigmentosa (RP)—making significant progress in this critical field. Ongoing research and clinical trials are vital to further these advancements. We invite you to join our webinar, Exploring Advances in Eye Disease … Continue reading Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar

A CIRM Bridges Trainee’s Path into Regenerative Medicine

Josh Nelson, a former technical director for various theaters, tapped into CIRM's Bridges program at Cal Poly Humbolt to establish a career in regenerative medicine research.

A day in the life of SPARK interns

The CIRM‑funded SPARK program is one of CIRM’s educational initiatives that builds a diverse, highly skilled regenerative medicine workforce. This paid summer program gives diverse high school students valuable stem cell research opportunities, especially those who lack access due to economic barriers. This year, students across California participated again. To highlight their experiences, we asked … Continue reading A day in the life of SPARK interns

Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors 

Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara from UCSF has been awarded $11.8 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to target newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas. This groundbreaking clinical trial aims to treat high-grade gliomas, one of the most challenging brain cancers to manage.   These aggressive cancers develop in the brain or spinal cord and are notoriously … Continue reading Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors 

CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments

Arjun Deb, MD, a UCLA professor of medicine and biology, received a $6 million award from CIRM to advance his research on heart attack and heart failure treatments. Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, responsible for about one-third of all deaths. A heart attack causes permanent heart muscle damage and often leads … Continue reading CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments

CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO 

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is excited to announce the appointment of Jonathan “JT” Thomas, PhD, JD, as our new President and CEO. JT brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to our mission. Previously, he served as the Chair of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) for 12 years and, most recently, … Continue reading CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO 

$53 million awarded to fund clinical and translational research

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) recently awarded $53 million to fund various projects, from its Clinical and Translational programs aimed at preventing heart failure to the advancement of cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease and the targeting of numerous cancers.    Two preclinical projects are providing funding for eligible stem cell and gene therapy-based projects … Continue reading $53 million awarded to fund clinical and translational research