Patrick Cantini says working as part of cutting-edge medical research effort is most gratifying. The 42-year old Monongahela resident is tied into a major initiative in stem cell research. For the past two years, he has been the business officer for Wake Forest University's regenerative medicine institute in Winston Salem, N.C. Dr. Anthony Atala, the head of the institute, announced earlier this month that scientists there have found stem cells in amniotic fluid - a discovery that would allow them to sidestep the controversy over destroying embryos for research. Researchers reported that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells. During his few years with the institute, Cantini has helped bring in more than $3 million in grants. But that's not all he does. "I'm responsible for all administrative activities related to the research institute," he said. "I also do project management for the institute and I work very closely with the U.S. Army on facilitating the research for our war fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan ... I do special research projects for them that are Congressionally funded projects specifically for purposes of improving our war fighters quality of life. Those that are amputated those that are severely burned; I have researchers working in those areas to help them." Cantini graduated from Mon Valley Catholic High School in 1982. He left Washington and Jefferson University in 1986 with a degree in business administration and moved to Detroit for six years to kick off his career. "I worked for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in Detroit," he said. "I moved back here in 1990 to take a position with the Society of Automotive Engineers in Warrendale. They're both very large associations run much like a major corporation with budgets of $50 million plus a year. I was fortunate to be a part of those groups when it was booming." After he built a strong resume, Cantini switched gears to a career with more personal rewards. He directed his expertise to research in biotechnology with the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative, a group that promotes growing the regenerative medicine industry. Getting involved in that line of work was an emotional decision for Cantini. "I had a brother who passed away at age 16 with muscular dystrophy. So, being able to contribute back to this field where some day they will hopefully have a cure for diseases like muscular dystrophy is very gratifying," he said. "The promise is there. In probably 10 to 15 years, we'll be curing some major diseases. We're so close now. There are so many discoveries every day as a result of what many scientists are doing around the world." Through his work with PTEI, Cantini met Atala. "Four years ago, I met Dr. Atala at a conference I had produced. He was my keynote speaker," Cantini said. Atala eventually asked Cantini to work for him. Cantini joined Atala's team June 1. While the work is rewarding, the job has its challenges. Cantini frequently makes the 5 1/2-hour drive to his North Carolina office, and usually stays there during the work week. He returns home to be with his family during weekends. He said the family will occasionally go to North Carolina with him. His work weeks run 60 hours on average, not counting traveling time. Cantini said he makes sure to focus on his family when he returns home. The self-proclaimed family guy said it helps that he is one in a group of sports fanatics. "We're sports nuts," he said. "We do a lot together." Cantini, his wife of 17 years, Rochele, and their 10-year-old daughter, Celina, are avid golfers. "We have found it's been a great family activity. In fact, my wife plays more than I do. My daughter has been playing since she was five," Cantini said. The Cantinis welcomed a new addition into the family in 2005, when their son Gianni, now 18 months old, was born. The family enjoys outdoor activities at parks in the Mon Valley and supports local sports teams. "We enjoy going to Pitt college basketball and football games and supporting Ringgold girls' basketball, especially because my daughter plays in the travel system," Cantini said. Cantini said he has been blessed with patience and an understanding family. "They've been very supportive. My wife does a great job managing the household when I'm gone," he said. "You appreciate it more when you're away as much as I'm away." Referring to his career, Cantini said he is proud to be part of an effort to change the world. "North Carolina is ranked number three in the nation for biotechnology," he said. "The potential for this business, this area of technology, is immense. It's exciting to be a part of a technology that can make a real difference to all of us."

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