Professor Rasko AO is an Australian pioneer in the application of adult stem cells and genetic therapy. He is a clinical haematologist, pathologist and scientist who has contributed to the understanding of stem cells and haemopoiesis, gene transfer technologies, oncogenesis, human aminoacidurias and non-coding RNAs. He serves on many committees including Chair, GTTAC – responsible for all Australian genetically-modified organisms – and Chair, Advisory Committee on Biologicals, TGA. He co-founded and is past-President (2003-5) of the Australasian Gene Therapy Society; Vice President, International Society for Cellular Therapy (2008-12). He has received national (RCPA, RACP, ASBMB) and international medical research awards.