About the Foundation
Meet Our Team
The dedicated scientists, clinicians, and staff working to advance regenerative orthopaedics and help patients stay active for life.
Our Core Team
Kevin R. Stone, MD
Founder & Chairman
Dr. Kevin Stone is an orthopaedic surgeon at The Stone Clinic and the Chairman of Stone Research Foundation. He has lectured around the world as an expert in cartilage and meniscal growth, replacement, and repair and holds over 40 U.S. patents on novel inventions to improve healthcare.
Dr. Stone was trained at Harvard University in internal medicine and orthopaedic surgery and at Stanford University in general surgery. His fellowship was in research at the Hospital for Special Surgery and in knee surgery in Lake Tahoe. He is a physician for Smuin Ballet and has served as a physician for the U.S. Ski Team, the U.S. Pro Ski Tour, the Honda Ski Tour, the Jeep 48 Straight Tour, the Old Blues Rugby Club, Lawrence Pech Dance Company, Marin Ballet, the modern pentathlon at the U.S. Olympic Festival, and at the United States Olympic Training Center.
Mani Vessal, MA, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Research & Operations
Dr. Mani Vessal has a background in medical anthropology and neurological sciences. He holds a doctorate in medical science and trained in neuroanatomy focusing on epilepsy at the University of Toronto, Canada. In 2008 he completed his fellowship at the Stanford School of Medicine in spinal cord injury and regenerative medicine and continued his research as a Sr. Scientist at Stanford.
In 2010, Dr. Vessal joined the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the stem cell agency, as a Sr. Scientific Officer, where he managed a large portfolio in translational and clinical programs in regenerative medicine. As the Director of Research for Stone Research Foundation, he oversees all current and future research programs and spearheads the growth of future funding streams to expedite the foundation's mission to advance therapies for treating and preventing arthritis.
Simaron Dhillon, M.S.
Research Program Manager
Simaron Dhillon is a passionate lifelong learner and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley and a Master of Science in Global Medicine from USC. Working with the BPSHI mobile clinic to identify and mitigate health disparities in the South Asian population in conjunction with harnessing creative methods for continually improving and optimizing organizational operations research with the Berkeley Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology first piqued her interest in patient care and research.
The intersection of innovation, discovery, collaboration, and service to ultimately provide effective orthopaedic outcomes that not only help patients thrive but also make meaningful impacts in local and global communities is central to her passion for research.
Florene Xu
Research Associate
Florene Xu received her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from UC Davis. While at UC Davis, Florene contributed to research examining cell signaling pathways involved in regulating growth and survival in cancer cells, serving first as an undergraduate researcher and later as a research assistant. She also interned on the Process Engineering team at Genentech, where she supported efforts to optimize and scale pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
These diverse experiences sparked a deeper interest in translational and clinical research that bridges laboratory innovation with clinical relevance. Florene is particularly drawn to the potential of clinical research to inform evidence-based interventions and guide patient-centered treatment strategies with a measurable impact.
Corinne Whitsitt
Donor Relations & Communications Coordinator
Corinne Whitsitt is a Bay Area native who brings a passion for mission-driven work and community engagement to her role as Donor Relations and Communications Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a focus in Public Policy and Political Action from the University of Oregon.
Most recently, Corinne served at the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, where she developed an expertise in nonprofit operations and community relationship building. Her experience in the nonprofit sector has deepened her commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships and delivering clear, impactful communications that advance our foundation's goals.
Scientific Advisors
John Crues, III, MD, PhD
Radiologist
Dr. John Crues is a world-renowned radiologist and musculoskeletal specialist for many of The Stone Clinic's patients. He received his MD at Harvard University, completed his internship at USC in Internal Medicine, and completed a residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He has authored numerous publications and published over 100 articles, 20 textbook chapters, and eight textbooks in the medical literature.
Thomas J. Turek
Consulting Scientist
Thomas J. Turek has over 30 years of experience in orthopaedics ranging from basic research to commercialization. He has served as a scientist with Stone Research Foundation since 1999. Thomas has a BS in Biochemistry from Michigan State University, holds 7 US and international patents, and is an author on over 50 peer-reviewed publications.
Research Interns
Kalea Sheung
Research Intern
Kalea Sheung is a second-year premedical biology student at UCLA pursuing an additional minor in Asian Languages. Kalea was heavily involved in sports throughout her childhood and was a varsity captain for four years in high school. Until university, she competed for the U.S. National Team for badminton. As an athlete who benefitted greatly from the existing orthopaedic body of knowledge throughout her athletic career, she aspires to become a sports medicine physician.
Rachel Chen
Research Intern
Rachel Chen is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley. Her journey into the world of orthopaedics and sports medicine began unexpectedly when she sustained an injury while playing volleyball in college. This personal experience sparked a profound interest in understanding the intricacies of orthopaedic care and rehabilitation. Looking ahead, she hopes to attend medical school, with future goals to make meaningful impacts in the field of orthopaedics.
Executive Advisory Board
Our advisory board provides strategic guidance and support to advance the Foundation's mission.
Mark Bailey
Board Member
Jennifer Brinkley
Board Member
Greg Widroe
Board Member
Global Collaboration with Field Leaders
Collaborative Research Network
The leading scientific and clinical experts guiding this vital research from lab to clinic. Stone Research Foundation partners with internationally recognized pioneers in orthopaedic science, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Anthony Ratcliffe, PhD
CEO
Synthasome, Inc.
San Diego, California
Daniel Grande, PhD
Professor, Institute of Bioelectric Medicine
Professor, Molecular Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Vice President, Research Services
Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, New York
President, International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS)
David Frisbie, DVM, PhD
Professor & Orthopaedic Surgeon, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
Mark DeCoster
Professor, Associate Director, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Principal Investigator, Cellular Neuroscience Lab
Louisiana Tech University
Matthew Wheeler, PhD
Professor of Biotechnology and Developmental Biology
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Uri Galili, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Meridius Bio
Toronto, ON
W.M. (Bill) Cheliak
Co-Founder
Meridius Bio
Richard Strafehl
Co-Founder
Meridius Bio
The recipients of research grants from Stone Research Foundation may claim up to 5% in indirect fees.
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