Dr. Carolyn Meltzer Appointed to the CIRM Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Koren Temple-Perry
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
press@cirm.ca.gov
South San Francisco, CA, June 5, 2024 – The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), one of the world’s largest institutions dedicated to regenerative medicine, is pleased to announce the appointment of Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD, by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to its Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC), the official governing Board of the Agency.
Dr. Meltzer is an expert in neuroradiology and nuclear medicine and is well known for her role in evaluating and translating novel technologies such as the first human combined PET-CT scanner and the application of AI to medical images. Her NIH-funded research has focused on the brain’s structure and function during normal aging, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric disorders in later life.
“Dr. Meltzer brings extraordinary expertise in neuroradiology and nuclear medicine, along with a deep passion for helping Californians in need,” said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis. “Her distinguished career and pioneering work will be invaluable to California and the future of medical treatments. I look forward to her leadership on the board as we continue to build a brighter and healthier California for all.”
Vito Imbasciani, PhD, MD, Chair of the CIRM Board, reiterated enthusiasm for Dr. Meltzer’s appointment. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Meltzer in her new role at CIRM. Her extensive expertise in neuroradiology and nuclear medicine, along with her commitment to advancing medical technology, makes her an exceptional addition to our board,” he said.
Dr. Meltzer currently serves as the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the May S. and John H. Hooval Dean’s Chair in Medicine. Prior to her appointment at the Keck School, Dr. Meltzer was the William P. Timmie Professor and Chair in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the Emory School of Medicine. She’s held numerous academic positions throughout her career and received several recognitions for her work, including the distinguished service award from the American Medical Association and gold medal award from the American College of Radiology.
“It’s an honor to be called to service on behalf of the people of California,” said Meltzer. “We’re in the midst of an age of discovery in medicine, with game-changing potential for addressing the gamut of serious disease. CIRM has been a major driver of progress in stem cell science and regenerative medicine, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues there to create the greatest health impact possible for all.
Dr. Meltzer earned her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her graduate medical education at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She holds an undergraduate degree in neurobiology with honors from Cornell University.
About the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
At CIRM, we never forget that we were created by the people of California to accelerate stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs, and act with a sense of urgency to succeed in that mission. To meet this challenge, our team of highly trained and experienced professionals actively partners with both academia and industry in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment to fast track the development of today’s most promising stem cell technologies.
With $5.5 billion in funding and more than 150 active stem cell programs in our portfolio, CIRM is one of the world’s largest institutions dedicated to helping people by bringing the future of cellular medicine closer to reality.