The Scientist : NewsBlog Print: New head of Calif. stem cell group

The Scientist: NewsBlog:

New head of Calif. stem cell group

[Entry posted at 9th August 2007 06:19 PM GMT]

Richard Murphy, former head of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, will assume the role of interim president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the agency announced yesterday.

Murphy will take over for Lori Hoffman, who served as acting present since the spring, when Zach Hall resigned from CIRM's top position.

"We are grateful that Dr. Murphy has agreed to assume this responsibility for a period up to the beginning of March, 2008, while we complete the search and transition to a new permanent president," Robert Klein, chairman of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC), which governs CIRM, said in a statement.

According to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, who supports stem cell research but has been a vocal critic of CIRM, Murphy will recuse himself from decisions involving institutions located in San Diego, where Salk is based.

Murphy said he does not want to accept a permanent position as CIRM president, since he plans to move to the East Coast. He will receive $300,000 for the six month temporary position.

What do you think about this development? Let us know, and check in tomorrow for more complete coverage in our daily news.

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Sensible and steady influence

by John M. Simpson, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights

[Comment posted 2007-08-09 14:57:48]

I am concerned that the search has taken so long and don't believe that the board began serious search efforts rapidly enough when Zach Hall announced his retirement plans last December. Given the unfortunate need for an interim president, I think Richard Murphy will make a good leader.

At the stem cell board meeting I raised questions about his membership on the board of the California Healthcare Institute, a lobbying group for the biomedical industry.

I was relived to learn that Murphy had left that board when he retired from the Salk Institute, although I don't think he should have been a member while on the stem cell board.

He has been a sensible and steady influence on the stem cell agency's board and I hope and expect he'll make a a significant contribution to the agency. In my role as constructive critic, it's my job to hold his feet to the fire when necessary and ensure that he does so.

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