UCI engineer awarded $2.1 million for stem cell research

A UC Irvine engineer has been awarded $2.1 million from the state to support a study on the effect of embryonic stem cells on heart disease. Andrew Putnam (pictured) is one of 22 scientists statewide to receive a New Faculty Award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state agency tasked with distributing funds for stem cell research. The Independent Citizens Oversight Committee that governs CIRM awarded more than $54 million in New Faculty Awards, which support promising young scientists embarking on stem cell research. The grant brings total CIRM funding for UCI to $19.6 million.