Susan V. Bryant is an internationally acclaimed developmental biologist and a leading expert on limb regeneration, and she frequently speaks on the scientific and ethical issues surrounding stem cells and the cloning of human cells. The dean of UCI’s School of Biological Sciences, Bryant has made a number of groundbreaking findings on the sequence of molecular events that lead to regeneration. Her discoveries are leading to new approaches and therapies for replacing and repairing lost, damaged or diseased parts of the human body. Contact Susan V. Bryant at 949-824-5316, svbryant@uci.edu

Felicia Cohn has an extensive background in bioethics and public health issues. Her interests extend to those areas of ethical concerns often neglected in medical school. "Medicine is inherently an ethical enterprise," said Cohn, an assistant professor of medicine and bioethics expert. "Given our complicated heath care system, medical professionals increasingly find themselves facing difficult dilemmas." Before coming to UCI, Cohn was a senior scientist and director of the bioethics program at George Washington University Medical Center and has testified before Congress on bioethical issues. She has published and presented on ethical issues in medical practice and is a member of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities and the International Association of Bioethicists. Contact Felicia Cohn at 949-824-9158, fcohn@uci.edu

Hans Keirstead is one of the nation's pioneers in the use of human embryonic stem cells in the study of spinal cord injuries. A neurobiologist at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Keirstead studies whether stem cells can restore some movement in paralyzed rodents, shedding light on possible treatments for the 500,000 Americans with spinal cord-related disabilities. In his innovative research, Keirstead is developing technology to promote nerve regeneration in the spinal cords of experimental animals. "This is an exciting field with tremendous potential," he said. A former postdoctoral research fellow at Cambridge University, Keirstead holds a faculty position in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology in the UCI College of Medicine. Contact Hans Keirstead at 949-824-6213, hansk@uci.edu

Arthur Lander is an expert on the use of stem cells in biological research and can speak about a wide range of issues involving their application. As chair of the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, he investigates how cells communicate with each other to coordinate the complex behaviors that underlie development and regeneration. This research helps identify the causes of cancer and birth defects. Lander is currently scientific director of the UCI Transgenic Mouse Facility. He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Cell Biology, the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation and is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Contact Arthur Lander at 949-824-1721, adlander@uci.edu

Pierre Baldi has a long-standing interest in philosophical issues related to bioethics and what it means to be human in light of the current technological revolution in biology and computers, as exemplified by cloning and the Internet. In his recently published book, "The Shattered Self: The End of Natural Evolution," Baldi explores the topic of cloning and how it may change our conception of ourselves. Baldi observes that "our notions of self, life and death, intelligence and sexuality are primitive and evolved to provide us with a feeling that each of us is a unique individual delimited by precise boundaries." He contends that a world dominated by computer and biotechnologies shatters this model, making us uneasy with scientific advances. Baldi, a jointly appointed professor of biological chemistry and information and computer sciences, is the director of the Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics at UCI. Contact Pierre Baldi at 949-824-5809, pfbaldi@uci.edu

Francisco Ayala is a leading expert on the subjects of biological evolution and the philosophical and ethical questions related to science. The Donald Bren Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, Ayala also holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Philosophy, and he teaches the popular "Philosophy of Science" course, which explores ethical issues such as human cloning. One of the world's leading researchers in evolutionary biology and genetics, Ayala is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and received the 2002 National Medal of Science. Contact Francisco Ayala at 949-824-8293, fjayala@uci.edu

NEWS RADIO: UCI maintains on campus an ISDN for conducting interviews with its faculty and experts. The use of this line is available free-of-charge to radio news programs/stations who wish to interview UCI faculty and experts. Use of ISDN line limited by availability and approval by the university.

TELEVISION: UCI maintains relationships with off-campus studio facilities available for hire by programmers and stations.

School of Biological Sciences
Reeve-Irvine Research Center
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
College of Medicine
Department of Developmental and Cell Biology
Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics
Department of Philosophy

Karen Newell Young
(949) 824-6925
kyoung@uci.edu