Robert J. Hariri, MD, PhD

Dr. Bob Hariri is an accomplished surgeon, biomedical scientist, and serial entrepreneur in two technology sectors, biomedicine and aerospace. He is the chairman, founder, and chief executive officer of Celularity, Inc., one of the world's leading human cellular therapeutics companies. Dr. Hariri was the founder and CEO of Anthrogenesis Corporation, and after its acquisition by Celgene Corporation, served as CEO of Celgene Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Hariri also co-founded the genomic-based health intelligence company, Human Longevity, Inc.

Dr. Hariri pioneered the use of stem cells to treat a range of life-threatening human diseases and continues today to make transformative contributions in the fields of immuno-oncology and cell therapeutics along with tissue engineering and functional regeneration. He is widely acknowledged for his discovery of pluripotent stem cells derived from the human placenta, and as a member of the team that discovered the physiological activities of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). He holds over 150 issued and pending patents for discoveries including placenta-derived stem cells, which Nature recognized as one of the ten most important patent estates in the field. He has authored over 150 published chapters, articles, and abstracts.

Dr. Hariri twice received the Thomas Alva Edison Award for technological innovation, in 2007 and 2011, and is a recipient of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation’s Fred J. Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the years, he has received numerous honors for his many contributions to the fields of biomedicine and aviation.

Dr. Hariri is an adjunct associate professor of pathology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is a former member of the board of visitors of the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Science & Technology Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a member of the X PRIZE Foundation scientific advisory board for the Archon X PRIZE for Genomics. Dr. Hariri is a trustee and vice-chair of the Liberty Science Center. In 2010 he was appointed a Commissioner of Cancer Research by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Dr. Hariri completed his undergraduate training at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Columbia College. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University, where he was the recipient of both the Julian R. Rachele Award and the Doctoral Dissertation Award. He completed his surgical training at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.

When he is not in the laboratory or the corporate boardroom, Dr. Hariri is a jet-rated commercial pilot with thousands of hours of flight time in over 60 different military and civilian aircraft. He has also produced several feature films, as well as documentaries on global societal issues.