ISSCR News
The ISSCR Recognizes Five Outstanding Scientists with Poster Awards at International Symposium Celebrating 20 Years of iPSC Research
Honorees from the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States recognized for their research contributions at landmark scientific gathering in Kyoto
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is pleased to announce five Poster Award recipients from its international symposium, Celebrating 20 Years of iPSC Research: Advances and Future Perspectives, held 20-22 October 2026 in Kyoto, Japan.
The symposium brought together scientists from around the world to celebrate two decades of progress since the groundbreaking discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D., and to explore the next generation of scientific advances and clinical applications.
The ISSCR Remembers Marta Shahbazi Alonso
The ISSCR is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dr. Marta Shahbazi Alonso, an accomplished scientist and valued ISSCR member who lost her life in a train crash in Spain on 28 October 2026.
Marta was a pioneering researcher in early human development, whose important contributions to human embryo research and stem cell-based embryo models advanced our understanding of the earliest stages of life. A group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, she was widely respected for her scientific excellence, thoughtful engagement with ethical and policy issues, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists.
The ISSCR Wins ASI Great Things Award for Excellence in Award Program
Recognizing innovation, operational excellence
The ISSCR has been named a 2026 ASI Great Things Award winner for Excellence in Award Program, recognizing the Society's successful implementation of an integrated abstract and speaker management system that has transformed operations, improved efficiency, and supported record-breaking participation in the ISSCR Annual Meeting.
This achievement reflects the outstanding leadership of Vihar Patel, ISSCR Director of Technology and Business Operations, whose work to integrate OpenWater with the Society's association management system (iMIS) has streamlined complex processes, reduced administrative demands, and improved the experience for scientists, reviewers, and staff.
The ISSCR Announces Kyoto, Japan as Host City for 2029 Annual Meeting
Global stem cell research community to gather 26-29 June 2029 with support from CiRA, Kyoto University, and the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is pleased to announce that its 2029 Annual Meeting will take place 26–29 June 2029 in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting will be held with the support of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, and the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM), bringing the world’s leading stem cell scientists, clinicians, industry innovators, and other stakeholders together in one of the most influential centers for stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
The ISSCR Launches New CDMO Directory to Support Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation
New member resource connects researchers with manufacturing expertise, advancing the ISSCR’s commitment to clinical readiness and responsible translation of stem cell research
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announced the launch of its new ISSCR CDMO Directory, a web-based screening resource designed to help researchers identify contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) with capabilities relevant to advancing stem cell research toward clinical applications.
Available to the ISSCR’s nearly 5,000 members worldwide, the directory provides a centralized resource for exploring manufacturing capabilities of potential partners. The initiative reflects the Society’s strategic commitment to strengthening clinical readiness and providing researchers with practical tools and resources to help navigate the complex path from scientific discovery to clinical translation.
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