Rouzbeh R. Taghizadeh ’00
Distinguished Alumni Award 2024
Dr. Rouzbeh R. Taghizadeh ’00 has dedicated more than 20 years to bringing cell-based therapies to clinical practice. His expertise in adult stem cells uniquely positions him to pursue innovations in Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering, and Longevity—to bring real therapies to ailing patients, as a Scientist and Entrepreneur.
After earning his BS in chemical engineering from UMass Amherst, Taghizadeh earned his PhD in stem cell bioengineering in 2006 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He cofounded AuxoCell Laboratories, Inc. as Chief Scientific Officer in 2008 after completing his post-doctoral training from MIT and the Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI). He currently serves as President of Kendall Innovations, a consultation firm that supports and drives innovation in Regenerative Medicine, Cell & Tissue Engineering and Longevity.
At MIT, Taghizadeh focused on investigating novel technologies to preferentially expand human hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo, a long-standing challenge faced by both researchers and clinicians. He separately worked towards the discovery of markers that exclusively identify human hematopoietic stem cells, a monumental feat in the field.
At AuxoCell, Taghizadeh developed novel methods and technologies to establish the collection, processing, and banking of cells from human tissue and organs for eventual utilization in cell-based therapies, Regenerative Medicine, and Tissue Engineering. Most notably, Taghizadeh invented and developed the novel solid tissue processing system—AC:Px®—to allow for standardized, efficient clinical collection of cells, tissues and proteins from solid tissues in a closed, standardized, single-use, disposable system.
Taghizadeh has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and patents, served as editor to several books in the field, and presented at various international scientific conferences.
Fusing business savvy with a laser focus on the clinical utility of cell-based therapies, Taghizadeh combines extensive cell and tissue engineering expertise with his executive capacity to fully integrate business with science and engineering in order to bring successful, novel therapies to patients.