Panelists:
Robert Signer, PhD
Associate Professor, Medicine
University of California San Diego
Panelist
Robert Signer, PhD
Robert Signer, PhD, is a stem cell biologist whose research on protein synthesis and homeostasis in hematopoietic stem cells has opened the door to unchartered areas of cellular investigation. He is currently the deputy director of the Stem Cell Discovery Center and an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Regenerative Medicine at the University of California San Diego. Signer earned his PhD in cellular and molecular pathology in the lab of Kenneth Dorshkind, PhD, at the University of California Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in engineering science (biomedical) from the University of Toronto. He conducted postdoctoral studies with Sean Morrison, PhD, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Signer has won several prestigious awards including the Janet Rowley Award from the International Society for Experimental Hematology, Scholar Awards from the American Society of Hematology and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Distinguished International Young Investigator Award in Stem Cell Research.
Stephanie Cherqui, PhD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of California San Diego
Panelist
Stephanie Cherqui, PhD
Cherqui received her PhD in 2002 at Necker Hospital in Paris, France. Her research project focused on the molecular characterization of cystinosis, a metabolic hereditary disease, as well as the generation of mouse models. She then specialized in stem cells and gene therapy during her post-doctoral internship at The Scripps Research Institute where she was appointed assistant professor in 2009. In 2012, Cherqui joined the department of pediatrics at the University of California San Diego in the division of genetics. She became an associate professor in 2016 and professor in 2022.
Broadcast Date:
- Time:
Stem cells play a crucial role in growth, development, and healing. In drug development, they are studied for their potential to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and certain blood disorders. Despite their promise, stem cell research also raises challenges, including large-scale production, technical limitations, and issues related to safety and ethical concerns.
This GEN Live show will focus on new areas of stem cell research, including aging. It will bring together a panel of leading experts to unpack the latest advances and ongoing challenges in stem cells. Panelists will explore how stem cells are transforming disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized medicine with perspectives on clinical trial progress and hurdles such as manufacturing and scalability, regulatory developments, and safety considerations.
A live Q&A session will follow the presentations, offering you a chance to pose questions to our expert panelists.
Produced with support from:

