Markus Grompe is an acclaimed stem cell research scientist and a member of the board of the International Society for Stem Cell Science. He is deeply interested in the ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research and alternative (non-embryo-destructive) methods of obtaining pluripotent cells. His work on the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine is path-breaking. He received his medical degree (Dr. med.) in 1982 at the University of Ulm Medical School in Germany. From 1984 to 1987 Dr. Grompe was trained in Pediatrics at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, USA and then moved to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. There he was a fellow sponsored by the Pediatric Scientist Training Program in the Institute for Molecular Genetics from 1987 to 1991 and worked on gene therapy for inherited diseases, particularly metabolic liver disorders. In 1991, Dr. Grompe joined the faculty at Oregon Health and Sciences University, where he is currently Professor in the Departments of Molecular and Medical Genetics and Pediatrics. In 2002 he received the E. Mead Johnson award for pediatric research and the Merit Award of the Fanconi Anemia Research Foundation. He is involved in the clinical care of patients with genetic diseases as well as in scientific investigation.