ASSCR at ISSCR 2025: Reflections from Our Members
Each year, the ISSCR Annual Meeting brings together the global stem cell community to share breakthroughs, spark collaborations and shape the future of regenerative medicine. This year in Hong Kong, several ASSCR members were among the attendees, presenting their work, connecting with peers and gaining fresh insights. In this blog, we spotlight their experiences and reflections—what inspired them, what surprised them and what they’re bringing back to their labs and institutions across Australia.
Member: Jose Agustin Cota-Coronado
Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University
LinkedIn: Jose Agustin Cota-Coronado
1. What did it mean to you to be selected to present at ISSCR 2025?
Presenting at ISSCR 2025 was an incredible honour and a milestone in my scientific journey. Sharing my research with such a distinguished audience of stem cell experts was both inspiring and rewarding. The feedback and discussions fuelled new ideas, and connecting with peers from around the world reinforced the collaborative spirit of our field. This experience has motivated me to continue pushing boundaries in my work
2. Tell us about a moment from the conference that stayed with you.
A highlight of the conference was attending the President’s Reception, where I had the privilege to hear from our president, Valentina Greco, who shared a powerful message on the importance of inclusivity within our society. I’m more motivated than ever to contribute to a diverse, welcoming, and innovative scientific community. Additionally, the plenary from Professor Paola Arlotta was very exciting for the field of brain organoids.
3. What science did you present, and why is it important?
My presentation focused on unravelling how environmental exposures, like prenatal inflammation, contribute to the rising risk of psychiatric disorders in early development. By bridging insights from post-mortem brain tissue with innovative stem cell models, our team aims to decode the biological mechanisms behind these conditions. This work feels especially urgent now, as mental health challenges surge globally. Understanding these pathways isn’t just academic; it’s a critical step toward developing transformative treatments for those affected by these debilitating disorders
4. Any words of advice or encouragement to other ECRs considering submitting in the future?
Don’t underestimate the value of your research — we often don’t realise how impactful or relevant our findings are until we share them with an audience eager to listen with open minds
5. What do you enjoy the most about being an ASSCR member (or if you have been a member in the past)?
We’re fortunate to have a highly supportive community, where individuals are eager to collaborate and engage in both research-related and broader discussions
Member: Maria Giovanna Garone
Affiliation: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia. Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW Melbourne, Australia
Twitter / X: @maria_garone (Twitter)
1. What did it mean to you to be selected to present at ISSCR 2025?
When I received the communication that I had been selected for an oral presentation, I felt an incredible surge of emotion. I was so proud and honoured to be chosen to present my work at ISSCR 2025. Sharing my research with the international stem cell community has been an exciting experience and a source of inspiration and motivation to embrace and address new challenges in my work.
2. Tell us about a moment from the conference that stayed with you.
Several moments from the conference remain memorable to me; however, two in particular distinguished themselves. The first was the opportunity to attend the President’s Reception, where I had the chance to chat with world leaders in the field in a friendly setting, during which I received feedback and shared my views on some scientific questions. But what really stood out was the number of scientists who approached me after my talk to discuss my work. It was genuinely uplifting to see the interest colleagues showed in my research. These events inspired and motivated me to continue my research with even greater enthusiasm.
3. What science did you present, and why is it important?
I have presented data on a new 3D brain organoid model that I have established in the lab, which recapitulates the long-term development of the human hippocampus in vitro. The hippocampus is a small but complex brain region, involved in several cognitive functions (such as long-term memory, learning and spatial navigation), and is affected in a wide range of neurological conditions. Although we can use animal models to study the hippocampus, these models are unable to replicate the specific features of hippocampus development that are unique to humans. This makes studying the hippocampus in a human cellular model crucial for identifying new therapeutic interventions for patients affected by neurological diseases.
4. Any words of advice or encouragement to other ECRs considering submitting in the future?
You don’t have to be afraid to apply for an oral presentation because you don’t feel ready or mature enough. There’s never a right time to apply! If you want to share the research you are doing, my suggestion would be “just go for it”. If you are not selected after applying, try again the following year. Sooner or later, you will reap the rewards of your hard work.
5. What do you enjoy the most about being an ASSCR member (or if you have been a member in the past)?
I have always found ASSCR to be a friendly environment in which I can freely engage in scientific discussions with stem cell leaders in Australia. The ASSCR community is also very supportive of its members. I was happy to see many of them attending ISSCR and my talk this year.
Member: Sean Wilson
Affiliation: Kidney Regeneration group. Stem Cell Medicine Department, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
1. What did it mean to you to be selected to present at ISSCR 2025?
It was nice to get vindication that outcomes from my project were deemed exciting enough to present at our fields biggest conference.
2. Tell us about a moment from the conference that stayed with you.
Being approached after my talk by people genuinely interested in the work and having great discussions with those people.
3. What science did you present, and why is it important?
I presented our novel kidney assembloid protocol, important as it provides a method to generate a connected nephron-ureteric system with a single exit duct, which we believe to be a milestone in the field.
4. Any words of advice or encouragement to other ECRs considering submitting in the future?
Just do it, there is no bad outcome.
5. What do you enjoy the most about being an ASSCR member (or if you have been a member in the past)?
It provides you with a community of people you can interact with in a positive and encouraging manner, all of whom can share their own experience and networks at events such as ISSCR.
