Jeanne F. Loring

Prof. Loring, is a professor and the founding Director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla. Before her academic career, she held research management positions at several biotechnology companies, including GenPharm and Incyte Genomics. Her research team focuses on large-scale analysis of genomics and epigenetics of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their derivatives, in order to ensure the quality and safety of these cells for clinical use. The lab's translational projects include development of cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer disease, and epigenetic modeling of autism. The team is also producing an ethnically diverse library of iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cell) lines for use in pharmacogenomic analysis. In addition, her lab is developing a "zoo" of induced pluripotent stem cells from endangered species to aid in their conservation.

In addition to her scientific research, Dr. Loring is committed to educating both scientists and the public. She has trained more than 400 scientists over the last 10 years in intensive laboratory courses in human ES and iPSC biology. She is frequently quoted in major newspapers, and gives numerous public lectures and interviews to inform the public about biological and societal issues associated with stem cell research. She is particularly concerned with the ethics of stem cell generation and clinical use, the legal implications of stem cell patents, and the dangers of unregulated stem cell treatments (“stem cell tourism”). Dr. Loring serves on both bioethics and scientific advisory boards.