A group of scientists, patient advocates and ethicists chose venture capitalist Linda Powers to oversee the distribution of up to $15 million in state funding for stem cell research as chair of the Maryland Stem Cell Commission Thursday.

In the inaugural meeting at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County?s technology center, 13 of 15 members were sworn in and chose a chairman before diving into discussions of bylaws, rules for grant applications and the commission?s structure.