Professor Jose Polo is a biochemist and stem cell biologist who has made seminal contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning how cells can be changed into other cell types, known as cellular reprogramming. By developing and combining advanced cell culture and genomic techniques with sophisticated computational approaches, he has been a major force in innovating and advancing the reprogramming and stem cell fields. He is an outstanding candidate who would make the Academy proud and dedicate himself fully to advancing its vision and has led his field at the highest level internationally.