Bio: Dr. Francesco Faiola is an expert in the field of stem cell research. In 2015, he was selected for the CAS "Hundred Talents Program", and in 2019, he was recognized as a "Special Foreign Talent" by CAS. By the end of 2021, he received funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology's High-End Foreign Experts Program and was among the first cohort of foreign senior scholars supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. In 2022, he was awarded the CAS "International Scientific Cooperation Award", and in 2023, he received the Chinese Government Friendship Award and the 16th "Great Wall Friendship Award" from Beijing Municipality. Dr. Faiola has conducted pioneering research on health risks associated with environmental pollutants, establishing the first stem cell-based platform in China to assess their effects. This platform enables early detection of contaminants, contributing to ecological and human health sustainability. Leading national and CAS projects, he addressed technical challenges in environmental toxicology and stem cell biology, developing innovative stem cell toxicology models. His work elucidates the toxicity and mechanisms of pollutants on critical organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. By eliminating animal models, his research addresses ethical concerns, mitigates species differences, and offers a more reliable and efficient approach to toxicity evaluation.

Abstract: Stem cell toxicology integrates stem cell biology and toxicology to study the effects of toxicants on stem cells and their applications in assessing the safety of chemicals, drugs, and pollutants. Leveraging stem cells' ability to self-renew and differentiate, we can model how chemicals impact human tissues and organs. The field is transforming with the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI). Stem cell-based models, especially those using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), provide a human-relevant, ethical alternative to animal testing, enabling the study of pollutants on specific cell types like neurons and hepatocytes. These models offer mechanistic insights into toxicity and disease. AI complements this by analyzing large datasets, predicting toxic outcomes, and uncovering hidden patterns. Together, stem cells and AI enable more accurate, efficient, and scalable toxicity assessments. This combination enhances understanding of environmental health risks, accelerates drug safety testing, and supports the development of safer chemicals and sustainable policies. The synergy of stem cells and AI marks a paradigm shift in toxicology, advancing personalized and predictive risk assessments.