William Barlow Neaves

President Emeritus, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri. Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Stowers Institute. Together with the Scientific Director, Robb Krumlauf, established the Institute's scientific programs, recruited scientists, and brought the Institute to national and international stature during the decade of 2000-2010. Long-standing interest in medical ethics and personal beliefs led him to play a leading role in passing a statewide referendum that blocked legislative efforts to criminalize research and therapies with embryonic stem cells. Has helped Kansas City develop companies concerned with improving human health. Previously served as Professor of Cell Biology, Dean of the Graduate School, Dean of the Medical School, Doris and Brian Wildenthal Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Sciences, and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.  Has published ~100 peer-reviewed journal articles reporting results of research in reproductive biology, especially related to spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in mammals and to speciation, parthenogenesis, and polyploidy in reptiles.  Served as co-chair of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accreditation authority for U.S. and Canadian medical schools, and member of the governing boards of the Sarnoff Endowment and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fund.  Served on the Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis and the National Council of the Washington University School of Medicine.  Also served on the governing boards of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Stowers Resource Management, BioMed Valley Corporation, BioMed Valley Discoveries, American Century Investments, and Cerner Corporation.