About Robert J. Hariri

Dr. Hariri is a visionary trauma neurosurgeon, scientist, aviator, military medicine expert, best-selling author and entrepreneur. The Founder, Chairman and former CEO of one of the world’s largest human cellular therapeutics companies, Dr. Hariri has pioneered the use of stem cells to treat a range of life threatening diseases. Dr. Hariri has over 170 issued and pending patents, has authored over 200 published chapters, articles and abstracts and is most recognized for his discovery of pluripotent stem cells from the placenta and as a member of the team which discovered TNF (tumor necrosis factor). Dr. Hariri is a member of the Board of Overseers and an Adjunct Professor of Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medical School and received the Thomas Alva Edison Award in 2007, 2011 and 2021, and awarded the Pontifical Medal for Innovation by Pope Francis, the Fred Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award in Neurosurgery and numerous other honors for his many contributions to biomedicine and aviation.
A jet-rated commercial pilot with over 8,000 of hours of flight time in over 60 different military and civilian aircraft, Dr. Hariri is a founder of the Rocket Racing League, an extreme aerospace corporation and Jet-A Aviation, a heavy-jet, tactical mission charter airline. Dr. Hariri has serve on numerous Boards of Directors including Cryoport and Bionik Labs. Dr Hariri is a member of the Board of Overseers of the Weill Cornell Medical School and was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Science & Technology Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a member of the scientific advisory board for the Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, awarded by the X Prize Foundation. Dr. Hariri is also a Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Liberty Science Center and has been appointed Commissioner of Cancer Research by NJ Governor Christie. Dr. Hariri was the recipient of the Genius of NJ Award in 2019. A member of the Intl Rugby League, Dr. Hariri is a Board Member of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team.