By Holly Alyssa MacCormick If you or someone you love is living with a chronic disease, you know that navigating uncertainty and getting answers can be one of the hardest parts of the journey. That’s why Aditi Desai’s work matters. As the community outreach manager for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Desai focuses on … Continue reading Connecting with and engaging Californians for public health
For about half an hour, Marguerite Casillas broke the spell cast by speakers discussing transcription factors, recombinant DNA, and other scientific breakthroughs. She reminded an audience of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scientists at a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) trainee networking conference what their work is ultimately about. "Behind every sample, every data point is a … Continue reading Marguerite Casillas gives patients a voice to make science stronger
A decision California voters made more than two decades ago helped build an unparalleled scientific ecosystem that's now paying dividends for the state, according to Johnathan Thomas, the president and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). "(California) is pretty much now the largest funder of stem cell and gene therapy research in the world," … Continue reading How California Built a Global Powerhouse in Stem Cell and Gene Therapy
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
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
In celebration of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)’s 20th anniversary, we have been reflecting on some of the early projects, particularly the education and training programs, that we supported and their outcomes. In the beginning Today, we’re looking at our first set of grants, which we awarded in 2006 to support training programs … Continue reading 20 Years of CIRM: Building the Workforce
Californians voted to support stem cell research 20 years ago. Now we’re building on what we’ve created through the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Their initial $3 billion investment through Proposition 71 paved the way for voters to approve Proposition 14 in 2020. That added another $5.5 billion to advance the science. CIRM will … Continue reading 20 Years of CIRM: From building the infrastructure to clinical trials
Photo Courtesy: City of Hope The scientific community lost a true pioneer with the passing of John A. Zaia, MD. Dr. Zaia was a visionary virologist, gene therapy trailblazer, and esteemed leader at City of Hope. He dedicated over four decades to advancing regenerative medicine. He left behind a profound impact on HIV research, pediatric … Continue reading Honoring Dr. John Zaia: A Legacy of Science, Leadership, and Kindness
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is supporting innovative research into neuro diseases, including a project examining how air pollution may contribute to autism. Through the Research using Multidisciplinary, Innovative approaches in Neuro Diseases (ReMIND) program, Stuart Lipton, MD, PhD, and co-investigators Tomo Nakamura, PhD, John Yates, PhD, Marisa Roberto, PhD, and Nik Schork, … Continue reading The Link Between Air Pollution and Autism
CIRM honors the contributions of Fred Fisher, MSW, LCSW, a dedicated member of our Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC) and a passionate patient advocate. Fred passed away in September. He joined the ICOC as the ALS patient advocate in June 2021 and served in many roles, including co‑chair of the Standards Working Group and member … Continue reading Remembering CIRM board member and ALS patient advocate Fred Fisher