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Geneticist Lygia da Veiga Pereira, professor at USP’s Institute of Biosciences, was awarded the 2025 ISSCR Public Service Award. Presented by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, the award recognizes exceptional voluntary contributions in support of the advancement of stem cell science and regenerative medicine. The award ceremony took place at the society’s annual meeting, held from June 11 to 14 in Hong Kong.
“It’s very gratifying to have your work recognized; it shows us that we’re on the right track,’ says Lygia, who has served as an ISSCR director since 2020, representing Latin America and strengthening the society’s ties with the region. ‘I have been promoting stem cell research in Brazil since my first project at USP in 1996, when I established the country’s first mouse embryonic stem cell lines and later produced its first transgenic and knockout mice. I then joined CEPID – the Center for Cell-based Therapy in Ribeirão Preto – and now direct the National Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory at USP, where we use human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to model diseases and explore the genetic diversity of our population,” she explains.
In addition to Lygia, another Brazilian was awarded: professor Marimélia Aparecida Porcionatto, from the Paulista School of Medicine (EPM) at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), a researcher in the field of neurobiology, working on the biofabrication of 3D systems for studies of the central nervous system with an emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopment. In 2023, the two researchers promoted the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Stem Cell Biology (Espca) and the first ISSCR International Symposium in Brazil. “Both events were a huge success and were considered to be the most impactful activities carried out that year,” says Lygia.
Promoting excellence in research
With approximately 5,000 members from more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Illinois, USA. It is the leading global, interdisciplinary, science-driven scientific organization dedicated to stem cell research and its clinical application. The mission of the ISSCR is to promote excellence in stem cell science and its applications for human health.
With information from the Fapesp Agency
English version: Nexus Traduções, edited by Denis Pacheco
