Shortly after posting my news story on incoming California Institute for Regenerative Medicine interim president Richard Murphy, Robert Klein--chairman of CIRM's governing board--told me that a policy regarding candidates for the permanent position has recently been enacted.

Klein said that through discussions in June and July, the board confirmed a policy that precluded candidates who wish to maintain active labs during their term as CIRM president. Previously, such candidates were considered for the permanent position. "The most important issue is making certain we're maintaining the highest standard of objective scientific judgment without bias," Klein said.

Klein explained that the policy avoids potential conflicts of interest that might arise with a president who also maintains a California-based lab that would be competing for CIRM funding . Additionally, Klein said that the board wants a president who will be able to devote his or her complete attention to the job. "We're looking for this individual to be a leader of stem cell strategy in California, in the nation, and globally," he said. "In order to reach that level of leadership, it's a full-time job."