By Cristy Lytal

For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injuries, Stem Cell Awareness Day is a time for hope.

In honor of the occasion, USC Stem Cell is joining institutions and educators from around the world in hosting a series of public events to raise awareness and celebrate this promising field of medicine in partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

(Photo/Chris Shinn)

(Photo/Chris Shinn)

Seminars. Throughout the month, USC Stem Cell is hosting a series of informative noon seminars on the first floor of the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. The lineup of distinguished speakers includes:

  • Oct. 1: Philipp Kaldis, PhD, from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore
  • Oct. 15: Andrew Brack, PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard University
  • Oct. 22: Su Guo, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco
  • Oct. 29: Richard Harland, PhD, from the University of California, Berkeley

Coffee and cookies will be served at each seminar. For more information, contact Marcia Walters at mcwalter@usc.edu.

High School Outreach. On Oct. 2, Victoria Fox, PhD, USC Stem Cell Core manager, and colleagues will appeal to a younger set when they give presentations about stem cell research at several local high schools, including Ánimo Leadership Charter, Ánimo Inglewood Charter, YouthBuild Boyle Heights and La Serna.

Nanotechnology Event. USC is also joining forces with UCLA, Caltech, City of Hope and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to present “Nanotechnology Innovations in Cancer, Infectious Diseases and Regenerative Medicine.”

Held on Oct. 17 and 18 in the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute Auditorium, the meeting will feature keynote presentations, short talks and a Thursday afternoon poster session. Topics include nanomaterials and devices, nanoparticles and therapy, imaging and sensing, nanosystems biology and tissue engineering. For more information or to RSVP, email nanoscience2013@em.ucla.edu.

Stem Cell Social. To end the month on a festive note, all are invited to attend the first monthly USC Stem Cell Social, where guests can view research posters, and mix and mingle with researchers and affiliated faculty. The event will be held on Oct. 25 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. on the first floor lobby of the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. For more information, contact Marcia Walters at mcwalter@usc.edu.