Our research investigators are defining the utility of stem cells in transplantation and regenerative medicine

Christopher D. Hillyer, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, New York Blood Center Enterprises, in front of office window

Christopher D. Hillyer, MD
President and CEO, Professor, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York

• Leader in developing novel methodologies and approaches for umbilical cord blood derived cellular therapies
• Research on hematopoietic stem cell expansion and efficacy protocols for improving transplant and gene therapy outcomes

Rona Weinberg, PhD
Director, Cellular Therapy Laboratory
Head, Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD) Research Laboratory, New York Blood Center Enterprises

Rona Weinberg, PhD
Director, Cellular Therapy Laboratory
Head, Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD) Research Laboratory

• Formulates cellular therapy products for bone marrow transplants and patients enrolled in clinical trials
• Currently developing gene therapy and immunotherapy products for the treatment of solid tumors
• Maintains one of the largest banks of cryopreserved tissues donated by MPN (blood cancer) patients that will ultimately lead to the development of molecularly targeted therapies

Larry Luchsinger
Vice President and Director of Research Operations (LFKRI) Assistant Member (LFKRI), Head, Laboratory of Stem Cell Regenerative Research, Director, NYBC iPSC Program

Larry Luchsinger
Vice President and Director of Research Operations (LFKRI) Assistant Member (LFKRI), Head, Laboratory of Stem Cell Regenerative Research, Director, NYBC iPSC Program

  • Studies Hematopoietic Stem Cells with the goal of ultimately devising novel pharmacological molecules, culture techniques and expansion technologies to revolutionize the treatment of many hematological diseases
  • Research efforts in creating clinical-grade off the shelf Hematopoietic Stem Cell Lines from umbilical cord blood cells for rejection-free stem cell transplantation
Avital Mendelson
Head, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology & Engineering Research, New York Blood Center Enterprises

Avital Mendelson
Head, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology & Engineering Research

  • Exploring new methods to expand platelets in vitro to improve our ability to meet clinical demands, lower the cost of unit safety testing, greatly enhance transfusion medicine and assist in patient treatment
    • Investigating the mechanism by which the bone marrow microenvironment controls the potency of blood stem cells in healthy individuals and how they are perturbed in blood disorders