Program Overview

program leadership

  • Chair - Matthias P. Lutolf, PhD

    Institute of Human Biology, Roche and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

  • Chair - Viviane Tabar, MD

    Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, USA

  • Alessandro Blasimme, PhD

    ETH Zürich, Switzerland

  • Claire Booth, PhD

    UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UK

  • Rosa Canet-Avilés, PhD

    California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, USA

  • Karuna Ganesh, MD, PhD

    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA

  • Feng Guo, PhD

    Indiana University Bloomington, USA

  • Haruhisa Inoue, MD, PhD

    Kyoto University, Japan

  • Stefan Irion, MD

    GC Therapeutics, USA

  • Karl Koehler, PhD

    Boston Children's Hospital, USA

  • Elisa Laurenti, PhD

    University of Cambridge, UK

  • Milica Radisic, PhD

    University of Toronto, Canada

  • Jason R. Rock, PhD

    Genentech, USA

  • Berna Sozen, PhD

    Yale University, USA

  • Ex Officio - Janet Rossant, PhD

    Stem Cell Reports Editor-in-Chief, Senior Scientist Emeritus, SickKids Research Institute, University of Toronto, Canada

  • Ex Officio - Lorenz Studer, MD

    Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, USA

the scientific content is organized around 6 tracks

Artificial Intelligence and BioEngineering

Development and Organogenesis

Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery

Ethics, Translation, Policy, and Impact

Preclinical Studies
and Clinical Applications

Somatic Stem Cells
and Aging

Session Types

Discover the different types of sessions, from large-scale Plenary Sessions to intimate networking events, that you can attend at the ISSCR 2027 Annual Meeting.

A large conference hall filled with hundreds of attendees watching a presentation on stage, with a woman speaking at a podium and a large screen displaying a scientific slide about neural stem cells and neurogenesis.

  • The cornerstone of the ISSCR Annual Meeting, Plenary Sessions feature inspirational “body of work” presentations, keynote addresses from luminaries in the field, award lectures, and patient perspectives, all selected by the ISSCR 2027 Annual Meeting Program Committee to highlight the field’s most impactful advancements.

  • The ISSCR celebrates leadership, collaboration, and discovery through three memorial lectures during plenary sessions. The Ernest McCulloch Memorial Lecture honors curiosity and innovation that defines the foundations of stem cell biology. The Anne McLaren Memorial Lecture highlights ethical integrity and public advocacy. The John McNeish Memorial Lecture reflects the collaboration between academia and industry driving clinical advances. Together, these lectures honor the core values that shape the ISSCR community, with  speakers selected by the ISSCR 2027 Annual Meeting Program Committee.

Man in a gray suit giving a presentation at a conference, standing behind a podium with a laptop at the ISSCR 2024 conference, with the International Society for Stem Cell Research logo on the screen in the background.

  • Each year, the ISSCR Awards recognize individuals from around the world for innovation and excellence in stem cell research across all career stages. Recipients of the Early Career Impact (early career), Momentum (mid-career), and Lifetime Achievement (late-career) Awards present their work at the ISSCR Annual Meeting. The ISSCR Public Service Award also honors exceptional public service contributions to stem cell research.  

A large conference hall filled with seated attendees watching a presentation on stage. The ceiling features an elaborate installation of red and blue cylindrical lights.

  • Dive into specialized stem cell research topics in our concurrent track sessions, featuring dynamic discussions, presentations, Q&A, and panels. Explore five scientific tracks and a Ethics, Translation, Policy, and Impact (ETPI) track, all expertly coordinated by ISSCR Committees, including the 2027 Annual Meeting Program, Ethics, Public Policy, and the Manufacturing, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Committees.

  • Organized by ISSCR student and postdoc members, Science Spotlights provide a fresh perspective on emerging scientific topics not covered elsewhere in the program. Science Spotlight proposals are reviewed and selected by the ISSCR 2027 Annual Meeting Program Committee.

Four people sitting at a panel discussion with name tags, in front of a black table, against a wooden-paneled wall. The second person from the left is speaking.

  • Organized by the ISSCR Early Career Advisory Committee, experienced panelists from various industries and career stages provide valuable guidance, strategies, and insights to help emerging professionals advance their careers in the field.  

A large conference room filled with seated attendees watching a presentation on a large screen at the front.

  • A platform for in-depth programs on specialized research topics, these scientifically driven sessions, sponsored by top academic institutions, organizations, and industry partners deliver cutting-edge insights and innovations. If your organization or non-profit is interested in organizing a Focus Session at the Annual Meeting, please contact ISSCR Industry Relations at exhibits@isscr.org for more information. Focus session programs are reviewed and approved by the ISSCR 2027 Annual Meeting Program Committee.

  • These sponsored sessions highlight the latest products, services, tools, and technologies that are driving stem cell research and clinical advancements into the future. 

  • Organized by attendees, Meet-Up Hubs are networking sessions in the Exhibit & Poster Hall where individuals with shared interests come together. These forums offer a great opportunity to expand your professional network and engage in meaningful conversations with colleagues who share your interests. 

A large crowd of people attending a conference or seminar in a spacious hall, with some seated and others standing, listening to a speaker at a podium.

  • The Exhibit Hall Theater, located within the Exhibit & Poster Hall, features brief sponsored sessions on specialized topics. Attendees can hear from scientific and industry leaders about a wide range of topics, including the latest science updates, technology applications, and career opportunities.