World-Class Stem Cell Pioneers Collaborate & Educate at Texans for Stem Cell Research 2nd Annual Symposium In Austin

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- Texans for Stem Cell Research (TSCR), a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer organization announces the panel of stem cell experts from Texas and around the globe that will convene in Austin at the TSCR Second Annual Educational Symposium with a welcome address by Dr. Kenneth I. Shine, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for The University of Texas System. The symposium will be held on Sept. 30th at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

Roger Gammon, M.D., and Stanley Wang, M.D., J.D., M.P.H. with Austin Heart and Heart Hospital of Austin, will be moderating the event. The promising results of clinical trials from around the world will be shared by seven Texas luminaries, representing leading Texas-based research institutions and medical facilities, along with nine other esteemed researchers from all corners of the United States and around the globe, including California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Arizona and Taiwan.

TSCR's educational programs are designed to provide community leaders, patients and policymakers current updates from the most renowned doctors, researchers and scientists in the biomedical field who work daily to discover treatments and cures. The complexity of the science and rapid pace of discovery make it difficult for the public to stay current on best practices in stem cell applications. TSCR believes collaboration among researchers can expedite progress, and science education can inform the community on the current state of this emerging field. The expert panels will include stem cell leaders from diverse disciplines including cardiology, endocrinology, neurosurgery, neurology, immunology and oncology.

"The scientific and technological research being conducted by the leaders we invited to speak this year is ensuring a brighter future, not only for our economy, but most importantly for the millions of people who stand to benefit from the potential cures," said Keri Kimler, TSCR's Vice Chair and organizer of the annual event.

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and the treatment of disease holds promise for game-changing advances in medicine. The impact of treatments to correct what have previously been considered as "incurable conditions," such as diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injury will be revolutionary for medicine and biotechnology. Based upon recent discoveries in cell labs across the globe, stem cell science is advancing rapidly and the interest in new therapies and cures has reached a new, overall high. TSCR advocates for adequate research, clinical trials and FDA approvals as prerequisites prior to using stem cell therapies on the public.

The daylong symposium will also provide physicians with professional education hours, compliments of Austin Heart, PLLC. Austin Heart is accredited by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians and has designated this educational activity for a maximum of six (6) AMA PRA Category 1 credits™.

"This symposium features world-class pioneers in stem cell research," said Dr. Gammon, director of research at Austin Heart and interventional cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin. "They are donating their time and expertise to provide a glimpse into the future of stem cell research and its potential to transform medicine."    

Freely volunteering their time and expertise to educate fellow physicians and the public at this event will be the following notable speakers:

Texas

• James T. Willerson, M.D. FACC, President and Medical Director: Texas Heart Institute, Professor and Edward Randall III Chair in Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
• Darwin J. Prockop, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine at Scott & White
• Eric N. Olson, Ph.D., Annie and Willie Nelson Professorship in Stem Cell Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 
• Jay W. Schneider, M.D., Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• Roger S. Gammon, M.D. Austin Heart 
• Stanley Wang, M.D., JD, M.P.H., Austin Heart
• William K. Decker, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine 

California

• Jane S. Lebkowski Ph.D., Geron Corporation
• Larry Goldstein, Ph.D., University of California San Diego Stem Cell Program
• Don C. Reed, Vice President Public Policy, Americans for Cures Foundation and Californians for Cures
• Roman Reed, Roman Reed Foundation and Stanford Partnership for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

 New York

• Denis Rodgerson, Ph.D., NeoStem, Inc.

Arizona

• Ratan Bhardwaj, M.D., Ph.D., Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital Arizona

Florida

• Cesar V. Borlongan, Ph.D., University of South Florida

New Jersey

• Wise Young, Ph.D., M.D., Director and Chair in Neuroscience of W M Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers University

Taiwan

• SHINN-ZONG (John) L.I.N., M.D., Ph.D., Neurosurgeon from China Medical University Beigang Hospital and China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan.

Attendees will hear from these distinguished guest speakers who are currently investigating stem cell applications for some of our most devastating diseases and injuries, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, degenerative eye diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury. In addition, new technologies and directions in cord blood and stem cell banking will be presented.

"Our hope is that the symposium will expand understanding and support for stem cell research here in Texas, and the world," said David L. Bales, Texans for Stem Cell Research Chairman. "Each day, we get closer to a breakthrough in this vital science, and through our supporters, we can keep that momentum going to find cures through stem cell therapies."

Registration for the event can be made online at:  http://conta.cc/eOYuaM

About Texans for Stem Cell Research

Texans for Stem Cell Research (TSCR) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer organization dedicated to the advancement of stem cell clinical applications for the treatment of millions of Texans living with incurable disease and debilitating injury. TSCR hosts education events and provides advocacy support to industry leaders, partner organizations, researchers and physicians interested in stem cell research in Texas. TSCR remains current on the latest information about stem cell research and discoveries that hold great potential for developing new treatments. TSCR assists the Texas based research teams and institutions by fostering strategic funding collaborations with potential partners. Stem cell therapies are advancing with promising clinical trial results. TSCR will continue to promote safe, ethical and responsible research to accelerate translational efforts in Texas.

For more information on TSCR, visit www.txstemcell.org

About Learn or Life

The Texans for Stem Cell Research launched the Learn for Life Education Series in 2011 and hosts an Annual Stem Cell Symposium each year in Austin, Texas.  The education series provides the public the opportunity to learn about groundbreaking research in stem cell science with the assistance of volunteers, leading academicians, researchers, industry leaders and advocates from around the world.  The events attract highly respected stem cell research professionals who provide the most current findings in their field to promote awareness for important FDA approved clinical trials that have the potential to aid the development of new treatments for unmet medical needs.  For more information on TSCR, visit www.txstemcell.org

Contact Name: Cynthia Baker
Contact Telephone: 512-586-8278
Contact email: [email protected]

SOURCE Texans for Stem Cell Research