A decade celebrating stem cells: Changing the face of medicine

The Wisconsin Academy, along with the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), will host a free, two-day event on Nov. 18-19 to highlight the accomplishments of stem cell research in the state and to examine future stem cell issues.

Speakers on the first day of the event include Gov. Jim Doyle, UW–Madison professor of law and bioethics Alta Charo, and keynote speaker, James Thomson, UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health professor and Director of Regenerative Biology and Principal Scientist at the Morgridge Institute.

Wednesday speakers include former Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson (prerecorded), WARF managing director Carl Gulbrandsen, University Research Park director Mark Bugher, and keynote speaker Michael West, CEO of BioTime Inc. Bonus Events: There will be a 3 p.m. screening each day of a groundbreaking documentary stem cell film. Producers will introduce their films—“Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita” on Tuesday and “The Accidental Advocate” on Wednesday—and take questions from the audience.

Schedule, Day One: Tuesday, November 18 in the Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts 

• 3 p.m. – Screening of Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita and Q&A session with producer Justine Nagen and director/producer Maria Finitzo
• 6:15 p.m. – Doors open to Capitol Theater
• 7 p.m. – Opening remarks by Alta Charo and Governor Doyle on the Wisconsin stem cell industry
• 7:15 p.m. – Keynote speaker, James Thomson: “Ten Years of Stem Cell Science”
• 8 p.m. – Keynote Q&A
• 8:30 p.m. –Ten Year Birthday Cake Reception/Wisconsin Alumni Association

Schedule, Day Two: Wednesday, November 19 in the Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts

• 3 p.m. – Screening of The Accidental Advocate and Q&A session with director/producer Jessica Gerstle
• 6:15 p.m. – Doors open to Capitol Theater
• 7 p.m. – Interview with Tommy Thompson, opening remarks by Mark Bugher, and an introduction by Carl Gulbrandsen of the keynote speaker
• 7:15 p.m. –Keynote speaker, Michael West: “Opportunities and Challenges of Commercializing Stem Cell Research”
• 8 p.m. – Keynote Q&A