On November 24, "2025 New Cornerstone Investigators" was officially announced. Professor Yuval Rinkevich, Distinguished Investigator and Director of Chinese Institute for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing, and Chair Professor at Capital Medical University, was selected. He is the first non-Chinese foreign scientist to receive this honor.

 

 

 

 

Professor Rinkevich received his undergraduate degree from Tel-Aviv University, Israel, followed by his master's and doctoral degrees from the Israel Institute of Technology. He completed his postdoctoral research at Stanford University in the United States and established his laboratory at the Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany. Subsequently, he served as the Director of the Institute for Regenerative Biology and Medicine (IRBM), Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany.

 

The lab of Dr. Rinkevich explores the stem cells, embryonic lineages and molecular basis of tissue repair and regeneration as foundation for therapeutic use. Research direction includes discovery of fibroblast lineages in the transition from scarless healing to scar forming tissue responses. His latest work describing the fascia connective tissue, and its mobilization in injury repair in multiple organ systems is reinventing the way we look at tissue repair and regeneration, opening a new biological context to treat and resolve fibrotic diseases.

 

The "New Cornerstone Investigator Program" aims to provide long-term, stable funding support to researchers who demonstrate exceptional talent and visionary thinking in scientific exploration. The program focuses on fostering "from 0 to 1" original innovation, driving scientific progress, and ultimately benefiting human society. Known for its rigorous academic review process, the program funded only 35 scientists in 2025. Professor Rinkevich's selection underscores the originality and potential impact of his research. The long-term funding will enable his team to further investigate the fundamental mechanisms of regenerative medicine and accelerate the translation of research findings into clinical applications.