Robert J. Hariri

The founder and CEO of Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, Dr. Hariri pioneered the use of human stem cells to treat a range of life threatening diseases. In his career as neurosurgeon and trauma specialist at Cornell University, biotechnology executive, military surgeon and aviator, Dr. Hariri is most recognized for his discovery of pluripotent stem cells from placenta and as a member of the team which discovered TNF (tumor necrosis factor). Dr. Hariri was awarded the Thomas Alva Edison Award in 2007 for his discovery of placental stem cells and again in 2011 for engineering tissues and organs from stem cells.

A jet-rated, commercial pilot with over 5000 hours of flight time in over 60 different military and civilian aircraft, Dr. Hariri is Vice-chairman of the Rocket Racing League and serves on numerous boards including Atlas Therapeutics and Wafergen and is a member of the Board of Visitors of the School of Engineering and the Science and Technology Council of Columbia University and a Trustee of the Liberty Science Center and serves as Commissioner of Cancer Research in New Jersey.