Spring Break
Yang Selected To Stem-Cell Committee
Andrew Peters
Issue date: 11/7/05 Section: News
The Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee added UConn professor Dr. Xiangzhong (Jerry) Yang to its ranks on Oct. 28. State President Pro Temp Donald E. Williams announced the appointment of Yang, an original pioneer of cloning and world-renowned expert in regenerative biology.
The nine-member advisory committee will oversee and direct the state of Connecticut's stem-cell research for the next four years, according to a statement by Williams. It will also administer $10 million annually, exclusively for research in Connecticut.
"I'm very happy that I was appointed to the committee because certainly it's a very important job," Yang said. "My goal is to see research in Connecticut on the national and international map. It is the committee's job to see that the state taxpayer money is used effectively - funding will not only lead to cures, but also to business opportunities."
Yang remains completely active in his work despite battling face and lung cancer.
"Five years ago, I asked the doctors how long I had to live," Yang said. "They told me, 'probably six months'- yet here I am today. It's truly a miracle. And I go to work every day doing what I love to do."
Now Yang will be at the center of the stem cell community, providing direction for his field while staying on the leading edge of research at UConn. In spite of the odds, he wants to live to see his dream fulfilled.
"We want to see the therapy applied to human beings," Yang said.
Though it will be some time before stem-cell treatments are medically available, Yang said he and the advisory committee will continue to work hard at developing the necessary phases of technology.
"We're hoping that the money will go to teamwork and collaboration," Yang said. "If everybody grabs money from the pot to compete, Connecticut will be on the frontier of science."
Scientifically, Yang will continue to refine aspects of stem cell technology with agricultural and animal models.
"The animal model can be very successfully transferred into the human model," Yang said. "When the laws change to allow work with human stem cells, we will be ahead of any other university and state for a lot of years."
Stem-cell research must also face the public jury, which is still divided over its ethics. But Yang said he believes once the public gets the facts straight on regenerative biology, it will become accepted - much like test tube babies, anti-virus medication and other controversial topics eventually did.
"Public outreach is needed," Yang said. "The public will know more, the principles, and the applications. We're not creating another human - we're creating another cell for your health - to save your life."
"Jerry's too humble," said UConn Manager of Media Relations David Bauman. "He's truly a world-class professor in this area."
The nine-member advisory committee will oversee and direct the state of Connecticut's stem-cell research for the next four years, according to a statement by Williams. It will also administer $10 million annually, exclusively for research in Connecticut.
"I'm very happy that I was appointed to the committee because certainly it's a very important job," Yang said. "My goal is to see research in Connecticut on the national and international map. It is the committee's job to see that the state taxpayer money is used effectively - funding will not only lead to cures, but also to business opportunities."
Yang remains completely active in his work despite battling face and lung cancer.
"Five years ago, I asked the doctors how long I had to live," Yang said. "They told me, 'probably six months'- yet here I am today. It's truly a miracle. And I go to work every day doing what I love to do."
Now Yang will be at the center of the stem cell community, providing direction for his field while staying on the leading edge of research at UConn. In spite of the odds, he wants to live to see his dream fulfilled.
"We want to see the therapy applied to human beings," Yang said.
Though it will be some time before stem-cell treatments are medically available, Yang said he and the advisory committee will continue to work hard at developing the necessary phases of technology.
"We're hoping that the money will go to teamwork and collaboration," Yang said. "If everybody grabs money from the pot to compete, Connecticut will be on the frontier of science."
Scientifically, Yang will continue to refine aspects of stem cell technology with agricultural and animal models.
"The animal model can be very successfully transferred into the human model," Yang said. "When the laws change to allow work with human stem cells, we will be ahead of any other university and state for a lot of years."
Stem-cell research must also face the public jury, which is still divided over its ethics. But Yang said he believes once the public gets the facts straight on regenerative biology, it will become accepted - much like test tube babies, anti-virus medication and other controversial topics eventually did.
"Public outreach is needed," Yang said. "The public will know more, the principles, and the applications. We're not creating another human - we're creating another cell for your health - to save your life."
"Jerry's too humble," said UConn Manager of Media Relations David Bauman. "He's truly a world-class professor in this area."