Hall Tapped To Be California Stem Cell Chief

Zach W. Hall, a veteran neuroscientist and associate dean of medical research at the University of Southern California, has been tapped to become interim president of California's new $3 billion stem cell research institute. The 29-member committee appointed to oversee the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine was scheduled to consider his appointment Tuesday, a day after he was recommended by a subcommittee. Hall would take over as interim president from Robert N. Klein, who would remain as the committee's chairman. Hall, 67, did not return telephone calls Monday. Hall's tenure could be short. The head hunting firm the institute hired plans to have a full-time president hired by the first week of June.