GOVERNANCE

The Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) has a head appointed by the Director, Christian Medical College that is responsible for the overall management of the Centre.  Alok Srivastava, Professor of Medicine and Head of the Department of Haematology at the Christian Medical College, Vellore is currently the head of CSCR. He is advised by a Core Committee of faculty of the Christian Medical College consisting of the following members – B.S. Ramakrishna (Professor of Gastroenterology), Anna Oommen (Senior Scientist), Molly Jacob (Professor of Biochemistry) and Vikram Mathews (Professor of Haematology). A Steering Committee chaired by the Director, Christian Medical College and made up of the administrative officers of the Christian Medical College as well as the Core Committee members guides policies for CSCR.

A Scientific Advisory Committee appointed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) monitors and guides the scientific program at CSCR which is then reported to the Governing Council chaired by the Secretary, DBT, Government of India.

HEAD, CSCR

Alok Srivastava, MD, FRACP, FRCPA, FRCP is trained as a physician and haematologist. He is Professor of Medicine and head of the Department of Haematology at the Christian Medical College, Vellore which provides the largest stem cell transplantation service in India. He has been involved in developing this program over the past two decades. He is also involved with developing animal models for stem cell therapies and performing clinical trials for innovative uses of bone marrow derived stem cells. He is chair of the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy appointed by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and also co-chairs the Task Force on Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. He is also the
Co-chair of the Clinical Translation Committee of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.