Stoughton Native Named Among Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

A renowned scientist and author from Stoughton has been included in Time Magazine's 2014 list of the 100 Most Influential People. 

Dr. Robert Lanza, who grew up in Stoughton and is a 1974 graduate of Stoughton High School, was included in the Pioneers section of the list, which also featured the likes of such figures as Pope Francis, actor Robert Redford and Edward Snowden, among others. 

Lanza is currently the Chief Scientific Officer at Advanced Cell Technology, is Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is the author of such books as "Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe".

Russell Clough, who graduated from Stoughton High School with Lanza, reflected on his acquaintance with the scientist in the making and the recent accomplishment. 

"Back in the day, there was a group of kids that socialized on a regular basis," Clough said. "Bob was one of us. We knew at the time that he had an amazing aptitude for science."

Clough, who eventually became a science teacher himself, said he last saw Lanza at a reunion in 2009.

"Socially, he was a wonderful person," he said. "He was kind, generous, had a great sense of humor and was a very down-to-earth individual. The last time I spoke with him, at our 35th class reunion, nothing had changed. Despite his many accomplishments, he remains a humble, friendly person."

For more, head over to Time Magazine >>