Hans Keirstead

Dr. Hans Keirstead is an internationally known stem cell expert and serial entrepreneur who has led therapy development for spinal cord injury, cancer, immune disorders, motor neuron disease, retinal disease, and COVID-19. He has founded 4 successful biotechnology companies and holds board positions at several prominent companies in the space. Previously, he was Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine, where he co-founded and directed the $77 million Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. He was a founding advisor of the California stem cell initiative that resulted in the $8.5 billion CIRM stem cell fund and has been a long-time advisor to several governments on biomedical policy. Dr. Keirstead’s work in spinal cord injury earned him the distinction of being one of 100 top scientists of the year in Discover Magazine. He has also been featured in Newsweek, WIRED, Esquire, The American Spectator, Men’s Vogue, Science and TIME Magazine amongst other publications. He was featured on 60 minutes in a full segment covering his treatment for spinal cord injury.

Among his many accolades, Dr. Keirstead received the Cameron Award for outstanding Ph.D. thesis in the country from University of British Columbia, where he earned his Ph.D. He was recently honored as one of 7 thought leaders in Canada at the Seven Wonderer’s event by Beakerhead, and most recently had the privilege of being awarded the Top 20 Canadians Award by the Consul General of Canada.