Nicolas Rivron, Group Leader at IMBA, has been selected for Honorable Mention as a finalist for the 2026 Early Career Impact Award of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). The award recognizes the joint contributions of Rivron and Naomi Moris (The Francis Crick Institute, London) to pioneering stem cell–based embryo models and to integrating scientific innovation with ethical leadership in this emerging field.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Early Career Impact Award honors investigators whose work has significantly advanced stem cell science and its responsible translation. This year, Moris and Rivron were selected among a small group of finalists, with the Awards Committee identifying their work as one of the strongest submissions.
Rivron pioneered the development of blastoids — stem cell-based models that recapitulate the blastocyst stage of development in both mice and humans — providing unprecedented access to the earliest stages of embryogenesis. In parallel, Moris established gastruloids to model post-implantation development. Together, these complementary systems have opened previously inaccessible windows into early mammalian development and reshaped research in developmental biology.
The ISSCR highlighted the close integration of scientific innovation with ethical leadership as a defining feature of their work. Alongside developing embryo models, Rivron and Moris have actively contributed to shaping international standards for governance, methodological rigor, and responsible communication. Working with scientific societies, they have helped establish frameworks that couple innovation with societal responsibility, enabling both basic and biomedical research to progress with transparency and oversight.
At IMBA, Rivron investigates the genetic and developmental traits that have shaped the evolutionary adaptations and vulnerabilities of human pregnancy. His research provides fundamental insights into early development while informing strategies to address global health challenges, including fertility decline and prenatal preventive medicine.
About the ISSCR
With nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing stem cell science and its translation to human health. The Early Career Impact Award highlights researchers whose work exemplifies both scientific excellence and meaningful impact on the broader research community.