The ISSCR Honors Alexander Meissner with the 2026 ISSCR Momentum Award for Exceptional Work in Developmental and Stem Cell Epigenetics
Honorable Mention Winners Recognized for Significant Contributions to Stem Cell Science
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is pleased to announce that Alexander Meissner, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Germany, has been named the recipient of the 2026 ISSCR Momentum Award. The award, supported by BlueRock Therapeutics, recognizes an investigator whose sustained scientific contributions continue to shape and accelerate the field of stem cell research. Dr. Meissner will present his work during ISSCR 2026 taking place in Montréal, Canada on 8-11 July 2026.
For nearly two decades, Meissner has been a leading force in developmental and stem cell epigenetics. His work addresses a central question in biology: how cell identity is established, maintained, and reprogrammed. Through pioneering genomic and epigenomic studies, he defined key mechanistic steps underlying somatic cell reprogramming and pluripotency, helping to establish the conceptual and technical foundations of induced pluripotent stem cell research.
Among his most influential contributions is the development of comprehensive transcriptional and epigenomic reference maps of pluripotent stem cells and the creation of the “ScoreCard” assay – an innovative tool that set new standards for assessing pluripotent cell quality and differentiation potential and is now widely adopted across the field. His subsequent studies have illuminated early regulatory dynamics during pluripotent cell specification and advanced understanding of chromatin remodeling and in vivo stem cell behavior using spatial transcriptomics and cutting-edge genomic technologies.
“Alexander Meissner’s work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of epigenetic regulation and cellular reprogramming,” said ISSCR President Hideyuki Okano. “Equally important is his dedication to mentorship and leadership, which has strengthened institutions and empowered the next generation of stem cell scientists.”
Since joining the Max Planck Society in 2017, Meissner has revitalized the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, recruiting outstanding junior investigators, strengthening institutional partnerships across Berlin, and fostering a collaborative and rigorous research culture.
He is also widely recognized as an exceptional mentor and teacher. Through intensive lab discussions, innovative communication exercises, and rigorous scientific training, he has prepared numerous trainees for leadership roles in academia and industry. His commitment to scientific excellence, integrity, and inclusivity is embedded in both his laboratory and institutional leadership.
The ISSCR also recognizes two outstanding scientists with Honorable Mention distinctions for the 2026 Momentum Award.
Kathrin Plath, University of California, Los Angeles, USA has made foundational contributions to our understanding of human pluripotency, cellular reprogramming, and X chromosome inactivation. Her work defining gene expression and chromatin dynamics during the conversion of somatic cells to pluripotency has provided critical mechanistic insight into how cell fate is established and stabilized. Her groundbreaking studies on epigenetic regulation of X chromosome inactivation have reshaped how the field considers sex differences in stem cell biology and differentiation. In addition to her scientific leadership, Dr. Plath has cultivated a collaborative and supportive research community at UCLA, mentoring trainees who have gone on to influential roles across academia and industry.
Joseph C. Wu, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA, is internationally recognized for advancing cardiovascular stem cell science from discovery to clinical translation. He has pioneered the use of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes for disease modeling, pharmacogenomics-guided drug development, and regenerative medicine. His laboratory’s integrative genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics platforms have provided unprecedented insight into cardiac disease mechanisms and enabled precision approaches to therapy. Through rigorous preclinical research, his work has supported FDA IND approval and the launch of early-phase clinical trials involving human embryonic stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes, reflecting a sustained commitment to translational excellence.
“Professors Plath and Wu represent the extraordinary breadth and impact of stem cell science today,” Okano added. “Their innovation, rigor, and dedication to mentoring the next generation strengthen our global scientific community.”
Learn more about all of the 2026 ISSCR Award honorees.
About ISSCR
With nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing stem cell science and its translation to human health.