ISSCR Elects New Officers

Northbrook, Ill. — Paul Simmons, Ph.D., head of the stem cell biology program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, takes over the post of president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today. Simmons, who has served as president-elect since 2005, replaces Gordon M. Keller, Ph.D., professor of gene and cell medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

“I am pleased to continue to be a part of ISSCR and to promote its important role in encouraging research, education and information-sharing about stem cells,” said Simmons of his new role with the society. Simmons also will soon head to Texas to lead the Center for Stem Cell Biology at the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Disease and is excited by the opportunities for cooperation among different disciplines and institutions.

Other newly elected officers include: George Q. Daley, M.D., Ph.D. (Children’s Hospital Boston), president-elect; Fiona M. Watt, Ph.D. (Cancer Research UK London Research Institute), vice president; Ihor Lemischka, Ph.D. (Princeton University), clerk; and Sean J. Morrison, B.Sc., Ph.D. (University of Michigan), treasurer. Keller will serve as past president. All posts are one-year terms and become effective today at the ISSCR Town Hall Meeting held in conjunction with the 4th ISSCR Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research is an independent, nonprofit membership organization established to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application.

Contact Heather Gagnon at (847) 509-1944 or hgagnon@isscr.org for more information.

Posted: July 20, 2006