In early November, I attended a gene and cell therapy meeting in Los Angeles, USA where the city was still celebrating the L.A. Dodgers’ World Series championship. Amid that energy, I engaged in lively discussions with ISSCR members and leading scientists from around the world. The atmosphere—intense and exhilarating—was reminiscent of a championship game itself. It was clear that advances in stem cell and gene-editing technologies are rapidly accelerating translational research and its societal impact.

The past weeks have been marked by two important actions that together reflect the mission of the ISSCR: to advance stem cell science responsibly and to defend the integrity of biomedical research.

The field of stem cell science is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and yet the question remains: how do we ensure these innovations truly reach patients? To explore this, I spent much of August in the United States—Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area—meeting with leaders across academia (MIT, the Broad Institute, Tufts, Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Gladstone, Stanford), major pharmaceutical companies (Novartis, Sanofi, Eisai), and emerging biotech ventures (Cellino, GC Therapeutics, Shinobi Therapeutics). Through lectures and exchanges, I gained a clearer view of the progress being made, the obstacles still ahead, and the breakthroughs most urgently needed. These conversations reminded me that the ISSCR’s most vital role is to serve as a trusted platform where such knowledge can be shared globally and effectively.

As I begin my term as President of the ISSCR, I am honored to serve this dynamic and forward-looking global community of stem cell researchers, clinicians, and innovators. This year marks the final phase of our 2022–2025 strategic framework, which has guided our efforts around four central goals.

In the year ahead, I intend not only to complete these goals but also to critically reflect on the progress we’ve made. What worked well? What challenges remain? And how can these insights guide our vision for the next strategic cycle? These four pillars remain deeply relevant and will continue to shape the ISSCR’s direction in the coming years.

I am truly honored and humbled to have been elected as the next President of the ISSCR. I have been a member of this society for nearly two decades. My research centers on using stem cells to understand the development of the nervous system—especially the brain—and to explore ways to promote regeneration in disease contexts. Through ISSCR, I have had the privilege of engaging with leading experts across a vast spectrum of disciplines, from fundamental biology to translational and clinical research. I am grateful for the opportunities and mentorship I have received, and I now see it as my responsibility to give back to this incredible community.