2006 Eighth Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium
Stem Cell Research Panel Presenter

Baldwin Wong
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

NIH and Stem Cells
Founded in 1887, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of the world’s foremost medical research centers, and the Federal focal point for medical research in the United States. The NIH, comprising 27 separate Institutes and Centers, is one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service which, in turn, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The goal of NIH research is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability, from the rarest genetic disorder to the common cold. The NIH mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. NIH works toward that mission by: conducting research in its own laboratories; supporting the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helping in the training of research investigators; and fostering communication of medical and health sciences information.

On August 9th 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells. The NIH is implementing the President’s policy by providing funding to support scientists conducting research in stem cell biology and to explore the enormous promise of these unique cells, including their potential to produce breakthrough therapies and cures. Scientists from laboratories in the United States and around the world have derived stem cells from 71 individual, genetically diverse blastocysts. These derivations meet the President's criteria for use in federally funded human embryonic stem cell research.

Mr. Wong’s presentation will provide an overview of existing federal policy on support of human embryonic stem cell research and how NIH is addressing many of research challenges in this exciting area of science

Baldwin Wong is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 1980. In 1983, Baldwin began his Federal career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a microbiologist in the Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), where he conducted research on the biosynthesis, transportation and secretion of hormones of the brain and pituitary.
Baldwin transitioned into an extramural staff position at the Office of Science Policy and Analysis, Program Analysis Section, NICHD, in 1986. As a Technical Information Specialist, he was responsible for collecting and analyzing statistics of the scientific program areas of NICHD and conducting studies of the Institute’s research programs for use in developing science policy, strategic planning and evaluation.
 In 1990, Baldwin worked in NIH Office of AIDS Research and served as the senior analyst responsible for managing the AIDS Research Loan Repayment Program, the first educational loan repayment program designed to attract basic scientists and physicians to NIH’s research effort against AIDS and HIV.
 Baldwin continued his NIH career in the Office of the Director, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD) in 1992, where he managed the meetings and activities of the National Deafness and Other Communications Disorders Advisory Board and the Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Interagency Coordinating Committee. His responsibilities included developing the Institute’s National Strategic Research Plan and the NIDCD’s Annual Report.
 Upon graduating from the NIH Management Intern Program in 1998, Baldwin served as the congressional liaison for NIDCD. He currently serves as a Science Policy Program Analyst and Chief of the Science Policy and Planning Branch. The Branch also coordinates and manages the activities of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force. The Stem Cell Task Force is made up of leading NIH scientists that manage or conduct stem cell research. Its purpose is to identify obstacles to the NIH stem cell research agenda and to develop strategies to overcome these challenges

.