Rene Reijo Pere

One of the preeminent thinkers and researchers in the field of human embryonic development, Dr. Rene Reijo Pera is at the centre of the ongoing conversation surrounding stem cells and their potential uses. Her research is focused on the growth of the human embryo, the characteristics of human stem cells, and their ability to generate other kinds of cells. After establishing an international reputation for her work as the director of Stanford University’s Center for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research and Education, the start of 2014 saw her taking up a new role at Montana State University, as its vice president for research, creativity, and technology transfer.

Named by Newsweek as one of the 20 Most Influential Women in America in 2006, her work in developing imaging algorithms was noted in TIME as one of 2010’s most significant biomedical breakthroughs.