CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMBINING CELL TRANSPLANTATION WITH NEUROMODULATION FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY

Organized By:

Matthew Dominguez, Gladstone Institutes, USA
Lyandysha Zholudeva, PhD, Gladstone Institutes, USA

Unlike genetic predisposition and viral infections, spinal cord injury (SCI) can occur to anyone at any time. This session highlights cutting-edge research from teams focused on combining cell therapy with other treatment strategies for spinal cord repair. Topics will include the use of pre-clinical SCI animal models, the bioengineering of new spinal repair technologies, and the integration of cell transplantation with neural stimulation to enhance functional connectivity. Speakers include leading senior investigators in the field of SCI repair, as well as early-career investigators.
Speakers:
Nisha Iyer, PhD, Tufts University, USA
Lyandysha Zholudeva, PhD, Gladstone Institutes, USA
María del Mar Sánchez, PhD, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), Spain and Stanford University, USA
Michael Lane, PhD, Drexel University, USA
Hideyuki Okano, MD, PhD, Keio University, USA

THE VALUE OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN ADVANCING STEM CELL SCIENCE: A PATHWAY TO ETHICAL, SOCIAL, AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 

Organized By:

Roslyn Le Gautier, PhD, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia
Megan Munsie, PhD, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia

The success of stem cell therapies depends on a strong ethical foundation, social alignment, and robust policy frameworks. This session explores how qualitative research – through methods like interviews, focus groups, and public engagement – captures diverse perspectives that are crucial for shaping policy and clinical translation. Experts will discuss how these insights help identify stakeholder concerns and values, guiding more effective engagement, decision-making, and strategies. The session will also address the challenges and opportunities specific to qualitative research in this context, with a focus on maximizing social impact.
Speakers:
Martine de Vries, MD, PhD, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands 
Amander Clark, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles, USA 
Roslyn Le Gautier, PhD, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia
Hilda Mekelenkamp, RN, PhD, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands
Kazuto Kato, PhD, Osaka University, Japan 
Nienke de Graeff, MA, MD, PhD, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands

CELLULAR AGRICULTURE: HARNESSING STEM CELLS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD INNOVATION

Organized By:

Danai Georgiadou, PhD, Bioprocessing Technology Institute, A*STAR, Singapore

The rising demand for sustainable and ethical food production makes cellular agriculture—powered by stem cell applications—a transformative opportunity. This session explores the latest advancements in bioprocess engineering and biomaterial development driving innovative cultivated meat production. Attendees will engage with interdisciplinary research focused on food security, environmental sustainability, and ethical challenges, all aimed at reshaping the global food landscape.
Speakers:
Deepika Rajesh, PhD, Roslin Technologies, Scotland 
Alfredo Franco-Obregon, PhD, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Jianyong Han, PhD, China Agricultural University, China
Shigeki Sugii, PhD, Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), A*STAR, Singapore
Stephan Alfaro, UPSIDE Foods, USA

IMMUNOENGINEERING - FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO ITS ENGINEERING NEXT-GENERATION THERAPY

Organized By:

Chloe Kan, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Rio Sugimura, MD, PhD, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 

This session explores immunoengineering, from the fundamental biology of immunity to advancements in immunotherapy. Speakers will discuss immune cell regulation, development, CAR immune therapies, and next-generation treatments, emphasizing the role of engineering in immune studies. This session also offers valuable networking opportunities to help you build connections and collaborations.
Speakers:
Filipe Pereira, PhD, Lund University, Sweden 
Christine Wells, PhD, The University of Melbourne, Australia 
Bin Zhou, PhD, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Kathy Lui, PhD The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Weike Pei, PhD, Westlake University, China 
Jian Shu, PhD, Harvard Medical School, USA