The Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has pledged a $3 million endowment to fund the Pasadena Guild Chair in Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The inaugural holder of the endowed chair is David Warburton, MD, professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He has led The Saban Research Institute’s Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program since its inception in 1996.

Warburton’s contributions range from clinical studies establishing management practices of extreme prematurity, to infants of diabetics, to basic mechanisms of organ morphogenesis, repair and regeneration.

Since 2003, the Pasadena Guild has supported the research program, which has grown to include more than 25 collaborating scientists.

Nancy Twist, president of the Pasadena Guild, announced the pledge for the endowed chair on Feb. 20 during a celebration dinner for The Saban Research Institute Annual Symposium.