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Focus on Urban Health - Keck School of Medicine of USC ...

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Photos by Steve CohnOpeningBrings HopeStem cell research at Eli and EdytheBroad CIRM Center holds promisefor life-saving cures By Imelda ValenzuelaCalifornia Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined <strong>USC</strong>administrators, trustees, elected public <strong>of</strong>ficials andover 150 invited guests in the much-anticipated dedicati<strong>on</strong>and ribb<strong>on</strong>-cutting cerem<strong>on</strong>y for the Eli andEdythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative <strong>Medicine</strong>and Stem Cell Research at <strong>USC</strong>.“Behind me we see this beautiful building withgreat architecture, but this is much more than justbricks and mortar,” said Schwarzenegger. “This is aninstitute <strong>of</strong> hope – hope for milli<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people whosuffer from Alzheimer’s, from cancer, from AIDS,from Parkins<strong>on</strong>’s disease and many other diseases.Here, 18 <strong>of</strong> the finest scientists in the world al<strong>on</strong>gwith their research teams will expand the fr<strong>on</strong>tiers <strong>of</strong>science and medicine in pursuit <strong>of</strong> life-saving cures.”<strong>USC</strong> President C. L. Max Nikias, Ph.D., and <strong>Keck</strong><strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>USC</strong> Dean Carmen A. Puliafito,M.D., M.B.A., hosted the Oct. 29 dedicati<strong>on</strong> cerem<strong>on</strong>y.Puliafito introduced the governor by recognizinghis courage in supporting stem cell research. “In thefall <strong>of</strong> 2004, the future <strong>of</strong> stem cell research in thiscountry was in great peril. It took great courage forthe newly elected governor <strong>of</strong> California to opposethe policy <strong>of</strong> his party and his President by supportingthe Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative(Propositi<strong>on</strong> 71). Our governor supported the preservati<strong>on</strong><strong>of</strong> human life and the reversal <strong>of</strong> disability bysupporting the promise <strong>of</strong> stem cell research.”Nikias said, “This new center carries out our promiseto society. In the future historians will search forthe turning point in the age <strong>of</strong> medicine and biology.And when they do, they will look to this place, theywill look to this time, they will look to this CIRM(California Institute for Regenerative <strong>Medicine</strong>) center,and they will look to Eli and Edythe Broad. Andthey will see that what we have d<strong>on</strong>e together haschanged not <strong>on</strong>ly this university, but also the world.”Eli and Edythe Broad, the building’s namesakesand primary d<strong>on</strong>ors, gave $30 milli<strong>on</strong> toward its development,which stands as <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the largest giftsgiven to the <strong>Keck</strong> <strong>School</strong> in recent years.“There’s no questi<strong>on</strong> that stem cell research hasFrom left, <strong>Keck</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A.,California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Broad Foundati<strong>on</strong> founders Edythe andEli Broad, CIRM Chair Robert Klein and <strong>USC</strong> President C. L. Max Nikias, Ph.D.,formally open the new center.the potential to revoluti<strong>on</strong>ize medicine,” said EliBroad. “I truly believe that biotechnology is <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong>the areas that are the ec<strong>on</strong>omic future <strong>of</strong> this city andthis state. We want to be a magnet for biotech talentand business so we all have high expectati<strong>on</strong>s for thisnew center for stem cell research and regenerativemedicine here at <strong>USC</strong>.”Originally c<strong>on</strong>ceived in 2005, the project is theproduct <strong>of</strong> a public-private partnership between the<strong>Keck</strong> <strong>School</strong>, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundati<strong>on</strong>,and California’s voter-created CIRM.“The definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> ‘possible’ has changed,” saidRobert Klein, CIRM chairman, Independent Citizens’Oversight Committee, and author <strong>of</strong> the Californiaballot initiative that launched CIRM. “The stemcell revoluti<strong>on</strong> has begun. Let us recognize, celebrateand thank the great scientistsand post-docs and grad studentswho are the real heroes in thisfundamental struggle againsthistory’s plight <strong>of</strong> mankind withchr<strong>on</strong>ic disease,” he said.Other notables in attendanceincluded: U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gresswomanLucille Roybal-Allard; CaliforniaState Sen. Art Torres (ret.);Edward Roski, chair, <strong>USC</strong>Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees; and <strong>USC</strong> Trustees MalcolmCurrie, Ph.D., David Lee, Ph.D., Al Mann, HarlyneNorris and Lorna Reed.“You will see today that our new building is not<strong>on</strong>ly a first-class research facility, but also a stunningarchitectural statement,” said Martin Pera, Ph.D.,founding director <strong>of</strong> the Eli and Edythe Broad Centerfor Regenerative <strong>Medicine</strong> and Stem Cell Researchat <strong>USC</strong>. “As we work together, Los Angeles can betruly a world-class center for regenerative medicine.”D<strong>on</strong>ors Jeffrey andJohanna Gunter areh<strong>on</strong>ored with the naming<strong>of</strong> a c<strong>on</strong>ference room.D<strong>on</strong>or Joyce Cammilleriis toasted <strong>on</strong> the bridgenamed for her. From left,Cammilleri, Niki Nikias,Dean Puliafito and PresidentNikias.keck.usc.edu KECK MEDICINE 17

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