International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting 2026 Exhibitor List

Shinya Yamanaka is a pioneering stem cell biologist best known for discovering induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which enable the reprogramming of adult cells to a pluripotent state. His work transformed regenerative medicine by providing a scalable platform for disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell-based therapies, with ongoing efforts to translate iPSC technologies into clinical applications.

Madeline Lancaster is a founder of human brain organoid technology, transforming disease modeling and evolutionary neuroscience. His innovations have made it possible to dissect disease mechanisms, evolutionary divergence, and cognitive function in vitro, revolutionizing experimental neuroscience.

Yukiko Gotoh is a leading expert in neural development and circuit formation. Her research has elucidated molecular mechanisms guiding neuronal subtype specification and connectivity during mammalian brain development, bridging fundamental principles of neurogenesis with insights into neurodevelopmental disorders.

Feng Zhang is the architect of CRISPR-based genome engineering and next-generation gene modulation platforms. His work is driving next-generation therapeutic modalities that integrate genetic modulation with stem-cell-based neural repair.

Elvan Böke studies the unique cell biology of mammalian oocytes, with a focus on cytoplasmic organization, protein homeostasis, and stress resistance. Her work reveals how oocytes maintain long-term cellular integrity, offering insight into fertility, aging, and fundamental principles of cell protection.

Sharad Ramanathan develops advanced stem cell–based models to study self-organization and pattern formation during early embryonic development. His work integrates quantitative experiments and theory to uncover the signaling and physical principles governing axis formation and tissue organization.

Lygia da Veiga Pereira is a leading stem cell geneticist known for advancing human pluripotent stem cell research in Brazil. Her work focuses on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of stem cells and their application to disease modeling, particularly using patient-derived iPSCs.

Miguel Concha studies regeneration using killifish as a comparative vertebrate model. His work examines how neural and tissue repair mechanisms operate across lifespan and species, providing insight into the principles that enable or limit regenerative capacity.

Amy Wong develops engineered human lung tissue models to study pulmonary disease, with a particular focus on cystic fibrosis. Her work combines stem cell biology and bioengineering to create physiologically relevant platforms for disease modeling and therapeutic testing, alongside service as an early-career editor for Stem Cell Reports .