Dr. Wichterle is a leading expert in neurodegeneration and neuronal development. He is the inventor of directed stem cell differentiation into motor neurons and his work led to fundamental discoveries in understanding of molecular regulation of neuronal development, maturation, and degeneration. He holds a joint professorship appointment in the Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Neuroscience (in Neurology) at Columbia University Medical center and serves as a co-director of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative and as a Vice-Chief of the Division of Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine. He is also the co-founder of ProJenX, a clinical-stage company developing small molecule kinase inhibitors for treatment of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.