Wednesday, December 10, 2008

CIRM Issues Statements of Praise for Klein

The California stem cell agency has released statements praising California stem cell Chairman Robert Klein in the wake of today's decision by CIRM directors to pay him $150,000 for half-time work.

The following came from George Daley, former president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and associate professor at Harvard Medical School.
"I am happy to say that Bob Klein has not only been the major driving force behind expanded funding for stem cell research within California, but he has been a tireless booster for stem cell research internationally. By the sheer energy and dedication to his cause, Bob is remaking California into the international center for stem cell research. In my recent visit to major laboratories at UCSF and UCSD, I saw first hand how the Prop 71 funding is changing science for the better. I have no doubt that in the future, when we look back on the prime drivers of the revolution in stem cells, we'll have to all acknowledge Bob Klein's profound contributions."
The following came from Richard Murphy, who served as a consultant and interim president for CIRM as well as a member of its board of directors:
"As a member of the ICOC and as Interim President of CIRM, I witnessed first hand Bob Klein's incredible commitment to the stem cell initiative in California. He brings together business expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a fierce commitment to use stem technology to improving the health of people with incurable diseases. He has spent countless hours during the day, nights,and weekends bringing all the complex parts of this initiative together, and without him Proposition 71, CIRM, and California's world leadership of stem cell research would not exist. I feel privileged to know him and to have worked with him. Given his commitment to this cause, there is no question he will continue this work in the future, as CIRM encounters the inevitable challenges that will arise. California and the world are fortunate that Bob Klein has done what he has, and I am confident he will continue to work in the future towards the benefit of all of us."

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