UM School of Medicine Teaches Stem Cell 101

UM School of Medicine Brings Science of Stem Cells to Community, High School Students in “Stem Cells 101” Program at World Stem Cell Summit

Date of Event: September 21, 2009
Time: 9 am to 1:20 p.m.
Where: Baltimore Convention Center 1 West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201
What: Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine will help kick-off the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore on Monday, September 21, with a program called “Stem Cell Science and Medicine 101.”

The program is designed to educate community members — including a group of nearly 40 Baltimore high school students — about the science of stem cells and their potential for medical breakthroughs. The students will see about 240 scientific posters on display at the World Stem Cell Summit and hear lectures presented by world renowned scientists Curt Civin, M.D. — co-chair of the summit — and Larry Anderson, Ph.D.

Following the lectures, at about 12 p.m., the students will move outside to welcome Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley when he arrives. The Governor will present the summit’s keynote address at about 1 p.m. that day. The following evening, he will receive a Stem Cell Action award for his support of stem cell research.

Throughout Monday’s activities, the high school students and community members will be guided by groups of students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the other schools on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. A group of about 40 high school students from the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy in West Baltimore will attend the event. The school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for future careers in medicine, including scientific research. The school and the University of Maryland School of Medicine have an ongoing partnership that includes regular interactions between the high school students and School of Medicine faculty and students.

“Reaching out to enhance the community’s appreciation of the science of stem cells and their medical potential is a key part of advancing the field of stem cell research,” says Dr. Civin, director of the University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and associate dean for research of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “With presentations like this, we are hoping to catch the interest of new generations of stem cell researchers and advocates in order to ensure the future of this important field.”

The tour of poster presentations will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dr. Civin will present from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Dr. Anderson — a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the School of Medicine — will present from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Media are invited to cover the entire Stem Cells 101 program, including the governor’s arrival at around 12:15 p.m. and his keynote address at 12:50 p.m.

Contacts: Karen Buckelew, University of Maryland School of Medicine Media Relations, office: (410) 706-7590; mobile (410) 456-3705; kbuckelew@som.umaryland.edu