The Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Program provides a central point of contact, information and facilitation for all stem cell research activities on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus. The center's mission is to advance the science of stem cell biology and foster breakthroughs in regenerative medicine through faculty interactions, research support and education. Starting with the first successful culturing of human embryonic stem cells by James Thomson and his collaborators in 1998, the University of Wisconsin – Madison has been a leader in stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Strang completed a facility study for a new, world-class Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Institute to promote additional discovery and development of stem cell medicine, and provide facilities for visiting faculty from around the world. The facility will foster the interaction and growth of regenerative medicine, chemistry and engineering, and support researcher’s interaction.

The planned 140,000-s.f. facility will accommodate 300 scientists and researchers with 30,000-s.f. of stem cell, chemistry and technology laboratories and 21,000-s.f. of offices. Lab support areas include an incubator center, animal rooms, cell structure area, dark room, clean room, and informatics and micro-fabrication areas.