SSSCR Intl Presentation
- 1. STUDENT SOCIETY FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH An international network dedicated to the advancement of scientific research for cures
- 2. SSSCR is guided by the following principles: Communication with the public is vital to fostering greater understanding and acceptance of emerging medical technologies of the 21st century. We have the opportunity to be of service to humanity by helping those with debilitating conditions, their family, and their friends by advancing medical research. The infrastructure for resources to support medical research should be enhanced, including the attraction of human talent and the allocation of government funds.
- 3. SSSCR’s ideals are: Humanity: commitment to making this world better by alleviating human suffering. Unity: stem cell research will be optimized with global cooperation among nations and diverse interests, including industry, academic, government, and society. Service: we have the opportunity to help those with debilitating conditions, their family, and their friends by advancing medical research. Vision: our generation’s passion and ambition for regenerative medicine is unparalleled. Healing: stem cell research offers hope for millions of people that otherwise would have none.
- 4. — A diverse global network — SSSCR spans over 10 countries, 25 U.S, states and 100 institutions — 3500+ members — Consisting of students, researchers, patient advocates, and policy makers united by the purpose of finding treatments and cures to debilitating conditions. — We believe that we can make a difference — Our message is simple, yet powerful — Empower our generation to fulfill the hope and promise of regenerative medicine through stem cell research in order to alleviate human suffering.
- 5. FOUNDER: Marion “Joe” Riggs DEGREE UNIVERSITY Mathematics, B.S. University of South Florida Bioinformatics, M.S. University of South Florida Integrative Life Sciences, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University Post- doc (current) Harvard Medical School| Center for Biomedical Informatics SSSCR started with a vision to connect students globally in order to promote a cooperative effort for advancing scientific research for cures. Founded in 2003 at the University of South Florida during the height of the “Stem Cell Wars” and born from this period of political strife and uncertainty, the spirit of the pro-cures movement is instilled in our society’s endeavors. In 2006, SSSCR was awarded the National Grassroots Advocacy Award by the Genetics Policy Institute. SSSCR has been in the media 58 times including TV, radio, and print. Since 2007, SSSCR chapters have implemented the CIRM sponsored California state-wide Stem Cell Education and Outreach Program (SCEOP), delivering over 100 high school presentations on the science, ethics, and policy of stem cell research. In 2013, the Berkeley chapter of SSSCR launched the annual Berkeley Stem Cell Conference. SSSCR aims to enhance student education and career opportunities while fostering a social conscience based on the humanitarian cause underlying the field. The connection to the cause is not achieved in the classroom and lab alone, but is generated by interacting with patients and being a member of the pro-cures community aiming to fulfill the mandate for cures. Contact: mjriggs@ssscr.org Joe enjoys hearing what SSSCR members & chapters are doing and likes to be updated. The National Executive Team
- 6. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: Laurel Barchas UC Berkeley Integrated Biology, B.S., M.S. At UC Berkeley, Laurel’s research focused on the role of p21, a cell-cycle-regulatory protein, in the suppression of adult hippocampal neural progenitor cell division during and after stress hormone exposure. Laurel was a founding member of the second SSSCR chapter in 2004. Proposition 71 was on the ballot and a small group of students and community members came together to campaign on the Berkeley campus. After the prop's passage and the creation of CIRM, the Berkeley chapter began spreading awareness of the scientific, political, and ethical climate. Laurel started a course featuring experts who gave in-depth perspectives. Students who took the course later became teachers, allowing for its continuance under a skilled group of SSSCR members. Realizing an opportunity for community outreach, Laurel and the team created presentations for high school students and delivered them in California classrooms. This pilot program became the basis of a partnership between CIRM and SSSCR-Berkeley. Together, we created a robust, modular high school stem cell curriculum and an education portal featured on CIRM's website. Most recently, Laurel created new units that align to the national Next Generation Science Standards, adopted by the State of California in September 2013. She has written teacher guides about the NGSS for an online educational resource company called Shmoop University. Currently, Laurel is working as a technical and marketing writer at a Silicon Valley company called Clontech Laboratories, Inc. She hopes to continue her writing career alongside her leadership in SSSCR so that more students can engage with stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Contact: labarchas@gmail.com The National Executive Team
- 7. OUTREACH DIRECTOR: Aradhana Verma UC Berkeley, Class of 2015 Cognitive Sciences, B.A. Aradhana’s journey with SSSCR began when she first started her undergraduate study at UC Berkeley. Aradhana quickly got active in SSSCR and by her second year, was the President of the UC Berkeley chapter. As President, Aradhana spearheaded the first stem cell conference co-hosted by SSSCR and UC Berkeley Stem Cell Center, and focused on chapter expansion. Afterwards, Aradhana became a part of the National Executive Board of SSSCR as the Outreach Director. She continues to channel her passion for building a stem cell community within all fields of stem cell research by creating, expanding, and maintaining SSSCR branches all over. In addition to SSSCR, Aradhana has worked at the Schaffer lab at UC Berkeley for 2 years in neural stem cell and regenerative medicine related projects. She was the head facilitator of a UC Berkeley undergraduate DeCal, “Stem Cells: Science and Society,” a course that explores pressing stem cell topics in recent science literature and news media. As she approaches graduation, she will begin applying to medical school. She envisions stem cell research as being the future of medicine’s battlefield, and sees herself playing an active role within the field along with a career in medicine. If this marriage between clinical research and medicine sounds interesting to you, talk to her about it! She loves discussing about this, and would love to hear the thoughts about this from SSSCR members! Contact: aradhana@ssscr.org For all outreach questions, establishment or development of SSSCR branches, help and guidance for chapter events World Stem Cell Summit West Palm Beach, FL Dec 2012 The National Executive Team “Scientists, patients, and students alike – let’s come together and culture this stem cell community”
- 8. SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR: Mansee Desai UC Berkeley Class of ‘14 B.A. Integrative Biology Global Poverty and Practice Minor Mansee first joined the Berkeley SSSCR chapter as a sophomore. She immediately took an active role by engaging in educational outreach both on college and high school campuses as well as the larger San Francisco Bay Area community. After having directed the club’s member recruitment and outreach efforts, Mansee was elected President during her senior year. She increased SSSCR’s visibility on campus and strengthened its member base by fostering creative activities to learn about stem cells, organizing professional development workshops and using social media outlets to connect with different stakeholders of the stem cell field. The vision of UC Berkeley’s first undergraduate led stem cell conference, Culturing a Stem Cell Community, was brought to fruition under her leadership and the event garnered national attention with its 200+ attendees, renowned speaker line-up and poster presentations. After graduation, Mansee is thrilled to continue her association with SSSCR as a member of the National SSSCR Executive Team. As the Special Projects Coordinator, she helps facilitate an open avenue of communication between SSSCR-International and its chapters during the event planning process. In an effort to forge new partnerships and alliances with the surrounding thriving scientific community, she is also helping in launching SSSCR’s sponsorship program which will allow companies and organizations to support student-led stem cell advocacy. Contact: mansee@ssscr.org For event sponsorships, Educational content for chapter meetings, Event planning coordination with SSSCR-International The National Executive Team
- 9. CHAPTER POLICY - Never should a chapter (or a chapter member acting in the capacity of SSSCR) endorse or state support for a political party or particular candidate. We can only state their prior voting record or their position on stem cell research. - The SSSCR logo is not to be altered in any manner. - All chapter activities and media relations must be in accordance with the SSSCR mission and position statements. - Chapter events, community service, and publications are to be recorded and submitted to SSSCR- International, info@ssscr.org. We urge any and all members to send us emails, updates, social media posts about your participation or new insights regarding stem cells.
- 10. CHAPTER POLICY - Human embryonic and adult stem cell research are both promising and provides hope for the patient. Both have their strengths and challenges. We are never to state that one is better than the other. Our message is one of hope, for those who are suffering with disease and disability. The ultimate goal of stem cell research is cures. Thus, SSSCR supports all forms of stem cell research that are being pursued ethically so that the fastest paths toward cures are reached. Restrictions on embryonic stem cell research obstruct the moral imperative to heal the sick. - SSSCR is equipped to provide you with programming and planning and training in media communications and campus, community, legislator education. - SSSCR has years of experience in delivering the Pro-Cures message. You are encouraged to take advantage of our experience, utilize the SSSCR materials, and apply our language.
- 11. JOIN US! … and become an advocate for life Sign up as a member and for our list serve http://www.ssscr.org/main/ join_now. Join our facebook group https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/2212677943/ General email info@ssscr.org.
- 12. “It is very tempting to give up, yet we have to find the will to keep going. But even when we discover what motivates us, we realize that we can’t go the distance alone.” - Christopher Reeve Thank you! Any questions?