Social Action Committee, Adult Ed and Hadassah to Host Presentation on Stem Cell Research

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Congregation B'nai Shalom will co-host with the Greater Boroughs Chapter of Hadassah, an educational panel presentation on Stem Cell Research.  The event will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at B'Nai Shalom.  The evening will begin with refreshments at 6:30.  The panel will begin at 7:00.  There will be a Q & A period after the panelist's presentations.

Members of the panel will be Dr. William Lensch of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Kate Chen of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Rabbi Dennis Ross of Clergy for Choice for the Education Fund of Family Planning Advocates of New York State.

Dr. Lensch is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and a senior scientist at the George Q. Dailey Laboratory.  Dr. Lensch specializes in hematology (study of blood) and uses stem cell research to study genetic blood diseases.  His current research revolves around the use of human embryonic stem cells as platforms for understanding genetics, development, and diseases of the blood-forming system. Lensch has co-authored 30 peer-reviewed research articles, reviews/book chapters, and policy recommendations in addition to delivering over 100 invited lectures, medical grand rounds, interviews, or panel discussions; the majority on the history, utility, and application of adult and embryonic stem cells in the treatment of human disease and injury. His most recent accolades include a Governor's Distinguished Service Award (Connecticut), being named a Fellow for the Aspen Institute's Inaugural Health Forum, and a Harvard Stem Cell Institute Service Award.

Kate Chen is the Associate Director of Gifts and Grants at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.  Kate has been in Harvard University Research Administration for almost 10 years.  Prior to her move to HSCI 2 years ago, she was head of the Life Sciences Team in Harvard's Central Sponsored Research Office.  One of HSCI's two Scientific Directors, Douglas Melton, has been in Kate's research administration portfolio, in one capacity or another, since she began her career at Harvard and was one of the key reasons for her move to the Institute.

Rabbi Dennis Ross is director of Concerned Clergy for Choice for the Education Fund of Family Planning Advocates of New York State.  He is also one of the Rabbis of Temple Emanuel of Worcester, MA and has served synagogues in New York, Washington, DC and Massachusetts.  Rabbi Ross has written for the New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Journal of Reform Judaism and Multicultural Review.  Through Family Planning Advocates of New York State, he is the author of Stem Cell Research: A Study and Advocacy Toolkit for Clergy.