Announcements

Stem Cell Network Appoints New Members to Champion Research and Training Initiatives

Stem Cell Network Appoints New Members to Champion Research and Training Initiatives

Stem Cell Network Appoints New Members to Champion Research and Training Initiatives

April 14, 2026 (Ottawa) – The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to welcome a dynamic group of new members to its committees: the Research Management Committee (RMC), Early Career Researcher Committee (ECRC), Trainee Communications Committee (TCC), and Training and Education Committee (TEC). These experts will play a pivotal role in shaping SCN’s research program, advancing support for early career scientists, and informing training initiatives within the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine.

SCN Welcomes Two New Members to the RMC

At the heart of SCN’s research strategy is the Research Management Committee (RMC), which ensures that funding supports the most promising and impactful science. The RMC provides critical strategic oversight for SCN’s research programs, ensuring the highest-impact projects receive funding. SCN welcomes:

Sara S. Nunes Vasconcelos, Ph.D.

John Kitson McIvor Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research​

Senior Scientist, Division of Clinical Research
Toronto General Hospital Research Institute
University Health Network

Associate Professor, Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
University of Toronto

Darcy Wagner, Ph.D.

Canadian Excellence Research Chair in Lung Regenerative Medicine

Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering 
McGill University

Meakins-Christie Laboratories
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre


Two New Members Join the ECRC

SCN’s Early Career Researcher Committee (ECRC) continues to champion emerging scientists by shaping initiatives that support their growth and success. Joining the team are:

Nicole Krentz
Assistant Professor
University of British Columbia

Marcelo Muñoz
Associate Scientist
University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Nirosha Murugan

In addition, Nirosha Murugan, steps into a new leadership role as Vice-Chair, further strengthening the committee’s vision and impact.

 

Six New Members Join the TCC

The Trainee Communications Committee (TCC) plays a vital role in connecting and supporting trainees across the SCN community by organizing events, amplifying voices, and addressing evolving career needs. SCN is excited to welcome the following members:

Nouran Al-Banaa
Ph.D. Candidate
Western University

Giada Castagnola
McGill University

Mark Danesh
Ph.D. Candidate
York University

Ali Mousavi
Postdoctoral Fellow
McGill University Health Centre

Alexandra Noble
MSc Student
University of Guelph

Miku Tibule,
B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc. Student
University of Saskatchewan

 

New Appointments to the TEC

SCN’s Training and Education Committee (TEC) is instrumental in designing inclusive, multidisciplinary training programs, organizing impactful events, and evaluating trainee applications for workshops and internships that prepare the next generation of scientists and innovators. SCN welcomes:

Maryam Faiz
Associate Professor
University of Calgary

Houman Savoji
Associate Professor
Polytechnique Montreal, University of Montreal

Honouring Our Outgoing Members Who Made an Impact

SCN extends its sincere gratitude to the members whose terms have concluded. Their knowledge and dedication have helped shape SCN’s research program, support trainees and advanced the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine.

ECRC: Ly Vu and Amy Wong
TCC: Fanny-Meï Cloarec-Ung, Courtney Irwin, Holly Jiogo, Oreoluwa Kolade and Parisa Varshosaz
TEC: May Griffith and Andrew Pepper

With the addition of new members, SCN’s committees are well-positioned to drive innovation and collaboration across Canada’s regenerative medicine landscape.

Learn more about our committee members on our Committees page.