University of Toronto Engineering Professor Peter Zandstra has been named to the scientific advisory committee of Stem Cells Australia, which is a network of Australia’s top researchers tackling the big questions in stem cell science.

Professor Zandstra is one of six internationally renowned researchers to join the committee. They were drawn from Australia, Canada, Japan and The Netherlands..

In announcing the appointments, Stem Cell Australia hailed the six as “scientific luminaries” who will provide strategic advice and independent evaluation of the research undertaken, which is supported by the Australian Research Council

“With impressive scientific expertise spanning developmental biology, bioengineering and genetics, as well as extensive knowledge of the international stem cell field, the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee will make a substantial contribution to Stem Cells Australia’s research program,” the organization said in a statement.

Professor Zandstra is a recognized leader in the integration of engineering and biological approaches to develop new ways to grow and differentiate adult and embryonic stem cells in clinically and industrially relevant numbers. His work impacts tissue and cellular engineering, gene therapy, and organ transplantation. He is a core faculty member in the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering and cross-appointed to the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry. He is also a member of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, the Heart and Stroke/Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence and currently acts as Chief Scientific Officer for the Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine.

“Peter Zandstra is an internationally-celebrated leader in stem cell research. His wise counsel will be of tremendous value to our colleagues in Australia,” said Professor Ted Sargent, Vice-Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “This is yet another example of the global impact and international reach of U of T Engineering researchers.”

Also appointed was Professor Andras Nagy, Senior Investigator at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital and a Professor in U of T’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

This month, Professor Zandstra will be in Australia to deliver a keynote address at the BioNano Innovation Conference in Brisbane and will also visit Stem Cells Australia’s researchers in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourn.