HSCI's 15th anniversary

April 26, 2019

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) was launched in 2004 with the express goal of pursuing the promise of stem cell science. In April 2019 we celebrate our 15th anniversary, and reflect on how far we have come.

Collaboration across Harvard

Our founding document listed 28 participating Harvard faculty, including co-founders Doug Melton and David Scadden. By May 2004 that list had expanded to 39 faculty, and in 2005 the number had almost doubled.

Since then, HSCI has grown to 360 faculty members — with 102 Principal Faculty and 258 Affiliated Faculty today. Together with their laboratories, they represent the single largest collaborative network of stem cell-focused scientists in the world.

Supporting early-stage research

Since our founding we have supported ambitious, early-stage research through 123 seed grants, as well as collaborative Junior Faculty awards.

Focus on disease

Our collaborations encompass seven Disease Programs and cross-cutting themes including fibrosis and aging.

A springboard for innovation

Our members have contributed to the launch of 35 companies that bring our research out of the laboratory and into the clinic.

Training the next generation

We have hosted 557 undergraduate interns in the HSCI Internship Program (HIP), which in 2019 selected 35 interns from a pool of over 600 applicants.

Milestones

Every year we publish an annual report to highlight major achievements in research and training. 

Fifteen years of collaborative science

At our launch event at the Charles Hotel in 2004, Doug Melton, David Scadden, and Larry Summers talked about the importance of stem cell science and regenerative medicine and Harvard’s role in leading the field. Watch excerpts from their talks in this video: