A Message to the NYSCF Community from Susan L. Solomon

On behalf of all of us at The NYSCF Research Institute, I am writing to express our hope and best wishes for you and your loved ones to stay safe and well during these challenging times.

As we continue to monitor the events surrounding COVID-19 and to ensure the ongoing safety of our staff and friends, it is more important than ever to us that we as a community remain connected. We take comfort in knowing that you are a part of our family. 

We have taken a number of precautionary measures in our laboratory, including increased cleaning protocols in every aspect of our facility, and having the majority of our staff work remotely if they are not part of the scientific team doing hands-on work in the lab. Whether they are at 619 West 54th Street or at home, please know that our dedicated stem cell researchers, data scientists, engineers, and program staff are all moving forward with the essential work that makes NYSCF necessary and unique.

I am incredibly encouraged by the speed at which new vaccines and therapeutics are being developed for COVID-19. I am happy to share with you that Moderna Therapeutics, a company founded by one of our distinguished alumni, NYSCF – Robertson Investigator Derrick Rossi, PhD, delivered the first vaccine for clinical trials in just 42 days from the time the sequence of the virus was released – truly unprecedented. It is another example of how closely connected NYSCF is to the most vital medical research being done today.

We recently shared with you news that NYSCF partnered with Storyline to personalize cancer treatment with big data. As cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever, I am happy to announce that Storyline is responding by working to have a telehealth solution for cancer patients available in the coming weeks. New and innovative solutions are critical, and it is gratifying to see so many different groups working together to make these solutions a reality.

As you know, public outreach is a key part of NYSCF’s mission. With the concurrence of our partners, we have postponed all of our public in-person events through May, but we remain dedicated to engaging the broader community, and we are making efforts to bring educational resources online. It is especially vital now to help the public stay informed about medical research, and we are committed to doing so. Please watch for news about our online programming.

We remain steadfast in our mission: to use the most advanced science to develop better treatments, and to make them available to patients as quickly as possible. Thank you for your support and confidence in us as we navigate these uncharted waters together.

With best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Susan L. Solomon
Chief Executive Officer
The New York Stem Cell Foundation

Learn more about how the NYSCF community is fueling the fight against COVID-19.