Erik Forsberg appointed executive director of WiCell Research Institute

Erik Forsberg has been named to the newly created position of executive director of the WiCell Research Institute. In this position, Forsberg will direct all operations of the private, non-profit institute, a supporting organization of the University of Wisconsin–Madison that provides core services to UW–Madison stem cell researchers and operates the National Stem Cell Bank.

Forsberg most recently served as the senior director of scientific development at Pharming Group, where he directed scientific programs and established research and development agreements with academic and commercial organizations. His past positions include director of cloning technologies at Minitube of America, vice president of development at Infigen and assistant professor in the UW–Madison Department of Physiology.

He holds a doctorate in physiological and pharmacological sciences from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He has served on the UW–Madison Master’s of Science in Biotechnology Advisory Board, has presented as an invited lecturer at numerous conferences in the U.S. and abroad, is an inventor named on eight patents and has authored numerous scientific publications.

"Over the past six months, we conducted an international search for an executive director for WiCell, and are extremely fortunate to have found the best candidate right here in Madison," states Carl Gulbrandsen, president of the WiCell Research Institute. "Erik brings to WiCell impressive academic credentials, an innovative scientific background and hands-on commercial and management experience. These strengths, combined with his in-depth knowledge of UW–Madison and the international scientific community, make him an exceptional leader for WiCell."

As executive director of WiCell, Forsberg will lead strategies to enhance the core services WiCell provides to stem cell researchers at UW–Madison and ensure effective operations of the National Stem Cell Bank, which the institute hosts for the National Institutes of Health. He will continue WiCell’s initiatives in developing collaborative relationships with key industry, academic and governmental partners in the local, national and international scientific communities.

The WiCell Research Institute was founded in 1999 to advance the science of stem cells. WiCell supports stem cell research at UW–Madison, operates the National Stem Cell Bank, provides training for scientists and offers educational outreach programs for K-12 students and the community.