Dr. James Thomson, Professor
Joined ERP Program, 2000

Department: Anatomy; Primate Center, Faculty Profile
Mailing Address: Genome Center, 425 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-3585  FAX: (608) 263-3517
E-mail Address: thomson@primate.wisc.edu

Background:

Institution Degree Date  Area of Study
University of Illinois-Champaign B.Sc. 1981 Biophysics
University of Pennsylvania V.M.D. 1985 Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. 1988 Molecular Biology

 Professional Experience:

1989-1991 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nonhuman Primate In Vitro Fertilization and Experimental Embryology, Oregon Regional Primate Center
1991-1994 Resident, Veterinary Pathology, Wisconsin Regional Primate Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1992-1995 Assistant Scientist, Wisconsin Regional Primate Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1995-Present Chief Pathologist, Wisconsin Regional Primate Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1999-2001 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin Medical School
1999-Present Scientific Director, WiCell Research Institute, Madison, WI
2002-Present Professor, Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin Medical School

Professional Board Certifications:

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Honors and Awards:

National Merit Scholar (1977); Illinois General Assembly Award (1978); NSF Undergraduate Research Participation Fellow, Princeton University (1979); Eastman Kodak Award for Excellence in the Biological Sciences (1979); Phi Beta Kappa, University of Illinois (1981); Summer Fellow, Friedrich Miescher Institute, Basel, Switzerland (1981); Phi Zeta, Veterinary Honors Society (1984); Graduation, magna cum laude, The University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine (1985) ,Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program Fellow, The University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine (1981-1987); C.L. Davis Award for Student Scholarship in Veterinary Pathology (1994); American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award (1999); World Technology Award Finalist, Health and Medicine, The Economist-London (1999); Man of the Year"  Madison Magazine, (2001); Hall of Fame Award for Scientific Achievement, 15th Annual Conference of Biotechnology CEOs,(2001); Featured as "One of the most intriguing people of 2001" People Magazine, (2001). Featured as one of 18 scientists representing "America's Best in Science and Medicine Time magazine, (2001); Wilson S. Stone Memorial Award for Biomedical Research (2001); Lois Pope Award Annual LIFE International Research Award (2002).

Research Statement:

My laboratory uses Embryonic Stem (ES) cells derived from non-human primates and humans as an in vitro model for understanding human development. Our primary focus currently is on understanding how ES cells choose between self-renewal, differentiation and apoptosis. Because of the potential applications of human ES cell-derived tissues for transplantation therapies, we also have collaborative projects on ES cell differentiation to neural, pancreatic, cardiac, and hematopoietic lineages. Our long term goal is to use non-human primate ES cells and non-human primates as a preclinical model to demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ES cell-based therapies.

Current Grant Funding:

Funding Period Project

3/13/02-indefinite

 J. Thomson (PI) UW Foundation 133 ET71
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Support
7/01/02-06/30/07

J. Thomson (PI) NIH . R24RR16209-01
Improved Lentiviral Vectors for Primate ES Cells

 

Publications from Dr. Thomson's Lab Search Pub-Med

(due to the commonality of these initials, advanced search criteria are needed)