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ScholarsBetaWeill Cornell Medicine

Overview

As a Hematologist/Oncologist and Vascular Biologist, I have a broad basic science and clinical background in transplantation and organ regeneration, and tumor niche targeting. My group was the architect behind the development of the therapeutic "Vascular Medicine" discipline. We have devised innovative technologies and mechanistic approaches to set forth the novel concept that endothelial cells are not just passive conduits to deliver nutrients but rather establish an instructive vascular niche, by deploying unique angiocrine growth factors, regulate homeostasis of normal and malignant stem cells. We have developed technologies to manufacture the first-in-man infusional endothelial cells to regenerate injured organs or target cancerous tissues. This work is being translated to the clinical setting in an ongoing phase I/II trials for intravenous infusion of the endothelium to stimulate organ repair without provoking fibrosis.

Highlights

  1. 1
    Nature · 2020
    DTDuc-Huy Tran NguyenRSRyan SchreinerYLYing LiuDRDavid Redmond+7 more →SRShahin Rafii
    PMID: 32908310PMCID: PMC7480005DOISenior author238 citations
  2. 2
    Nature immunology · 2025
    RSRyan SchreinerYLYang LinFGFuqiang GengYLYing Liu+4 more →SRShahin Rafii
    PMID: 40000903DOISenior author8 citations
  3. 3
    Cell stem cell · 2022
    JMJesus Maria Gomez SalineroYLYang LinGGGiorgio Ga. InghiramiJZJenny Zhaoying Xiang+6 more →SRShahin Rafii
    PMID: 35364013PMCID: PMC9290393DOISenior author59 citations

Publications

350 publications

Funding

72 grantsView NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

19 grants
  • KP
    Molecular determinants of islet-specific endothelium for regulation of beta-cell homeostasis
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2026–2031
    K08DK147686-01
  • PI
    Adaptable and hemodynamic Gut-On-VascularNet models to mitigate radiation injury
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2026–2031
    U01AI195524-01
  • Co-I
    Controlling the Niche to Control Clonal Hematopoiesis
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2025–2029
    R01HL175556-01A1
  • KP
    Protective role of Endothelial Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3) in acute lung injury
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2024–2029Career
    K08HL166958-01A1
  • MPI
    Abnormal Extracellular Vesicles and Particles from Human Islets Impact T1D progression
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2023–2028
    R01DK137517-04
  • PI
    Molecular Determinants of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells for hepatic regeneration
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2023–2028
    R01DK136327-04
  • Sub-PI
    Human iPSC intestine mimetics with integrated mesenchymal, endothelial and enteric nervous tissue.
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024–2028 · via University of Michigan
    R01DK137806-03
  • MPI
    In vitro modeling of blood brain barrier dysfunction on a chip to elucidate the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2021–2027
    R33HL154310-05
  • Co-I
    Intrinsic Tolerance in GINS: Dissecting the HVEM/BTLA Axis Driving Hypoimmunogenicity
    Breakthrough T1D · 2026–2027
    1-INO-2026-1906-A-N
  • PI
    Adaptable tissue-specific endothelial cells for organ regeneration
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2020–2027
    R35HL150809-07
  • Sub-PI
    Improving pig islet transplant efficacy in a preclinical baboon diabetes model with induced immune tolerance to the xenografts
    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation · 2024–2026 · via Columbia University
    2-SRA-2024-1525-S-B
  • PI
    Co-transplantation of adaptive human endothelium and islets within encapsulated angiogenic hydrogels for durable engraftment
    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation · 2023–2026
    3-SRA-2023-1446-S-B
  • PI
    Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation 2025-2026 Fellowship Host Institution Agreement
    Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation · 2025–2026
    SCRF 253844-01
  • PI
    Investigating a master regulator of large intestine stem cells
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2021–2026· 3 renewals
    R01DK125817-03
  • PI
    Engineering islet-like organoids from gastric stem cells for T1D cell replacement therapy
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2022–2026
    R01DK133701-04
  • PI
    Derivation of pancreatic islet-like organoids from human gastric stem cells
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2022–2026
    R01DK133332-04
  • PI
    Subcutaneous transplantation of Islet-specific endothelial cell vascularized islets to treat diabetes
    Daedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2024–2026BioPharma Alliance
    BP 242176-02
  • KP
    Negative feedback regulation of growth factor signaling in adult spermatogonial stem cells
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2021–2026
    R01HD101452-05
  • Co-I
    Charting the differentiation topology of SF3B1 mutated clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) via a multi-omics single-cell toolkit
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2022–2026
    R01HL157387-01A1
Completed grants (53)
  • Sub-PI
    An Organ-on-VacularNet model for in vitro evaluation of radiation and drug therapies
    National Cancer Institute · 2024–2025 · via Chromologic
    75N91024C00068
  • Co-I
    H3.3-mediated epigenetic regulation of developmental bivalent genes for reprogramming and differentiation
    National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2018–2025
    R01GM129380-01
  • MPI
    Methods for detection of dynamic intracellular signals in single adult spermatogonial stem cells
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023–2025
    R21HD107212-02
  • PI
    Endothelial cell transplantation for multi-organ repair to counter radiation injury
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2018–2025
    U01AI138329-05
  • PI
    Developing a novel cell therapy to treat Type 1 diabetes
    Daedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2022–2025BioPharma Alliance
    DFI 226165-03
  • PI
    Tumor-On-VascularNet Platform for Enabling Immune Cancer Targeting
    Bristol-Myers Squibb · 2023–2024Contract
    SA 233903-01
  • PI
    Subcutaneous Transplantation of Pre-Vascularized Human Islets and SC-β cells to Treat Type I Diabetes
    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation · 2022–2024
    JDRF 220093-01
  • Co-I
    The Pulmonary Lymphatics in Inflammation and Disease
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2019–2024
    K01HL145365-01
  • Sub-PI
    Dkk1-Endothelial Progenitor Cell Treatment for the Mitigation of Hematopoietic Radiation Injury
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2024 · via Medical College of Wisconsin
    U01AI138331-06
  • Co-I
    Weill Cornell Training Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2018–2023
    DOH01-C32558GG-3450000
  • Sub-PI
    Niche signals in HSC genesis
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2017–2023 · via Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center· 2 renewals
    RC2DK114777-06
  • PI
    Molecular determinants of vascular niche maladaptation in dysregulated clonal evolution of stem cells
    Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative (Weill Cornell) · 2021–2023
    Tri-SCI #2021-013
  • PI
    Addgene 699655
    Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
    Addgene 699655
  • PI
    Addgene 695996
    Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
    Addgene 695996
  • KP
    ABCG2+ Endothelial Stem and Progenitor Cells for Regeneration of Vascularized Tissues
    American Heart Association · 2021–2023
    AHA 212300-01
  • Co-I
    Inflammasomes: Regulation and Function in Acute Lung Injury
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018–2023
    R01HL055330-20A1
  • PI
    Takeda Biopharma Agreement
    Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. · 2021–2022BioPharma Alliance
    TDCA 222023-01
  • KP
    Generation of functional iPS-derived hepatocytes with engineered liver sinusoidal vascular niche (NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellow)
    New York Stem Cell Foundation Inc. · 2019–2022
    NYSCF- D - F66
  • PI
    Engineer Adaptable Thymic Vascular Niche for Immune Reconstruction
    Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative (Weill Cornell) · 2020–2022
    2019-029
  • Sub-PI
    Editing hepatic sinusoidal vascular niche to induce fibrosis-free liver repair
    New York State Department of Health · 2018–2021 · via Mount Sinai School of Medicine
    DOH01-C34052GG-3450000
  • PI
    Hedgehog Signaling in Adult Choroid: Implications for Stem Cell Therapy of Retinal Disease
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2020–2021
    DOH01-C32596CG
  • Co-I
    Contribution of H3.3-mediated chromatin dynamics to stem cell pluripotency and developmental potential
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2018–2021
    DOH01-C32581GG-3450000
  • MPI
    Hedgehog Signaling in Adult Choroid: Implications for Stem Cell Therapy of Retinal Disease
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2018–2021
    DOH01-C32596GG-3450000
  • PI
    Vascular Niche Platform to Expand Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Engineered to Cure Sickle Cell Disease
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2015–2020
    CO30160
  • Sub-PI
    Angiocrine functions of endothelium in regulating stem cell driven cerebellar repair
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2018–2020 · via Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    NYSTEM Contract #C32568GG
  • PI
    De novo generation of pre-clinical grade engraftable hematopoietic stem cells from nonhuman primate endothelium
    Daedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2018–2020
    DFI 200276-01
  • PI
    Deciphering Molecular Determinants of Vascular Heterogeneity for Organ Repair
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2014–2020
    R01HL128158-05
  • PI
    Molecular Determinants of endothelial transition into engraftable hematopoietic cells
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018–2020
    R01HL139056-03
  • Co-I
    Curing MDS using Hematopoietic Cells Reprogrammed from Autologous, Normal Endothelial Cells
    Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation · 2016–2020
    HMTF 16060851-03
  • Sub-PI
    Engineering Autologous Vascular-Converted Hematopoietic Cells for Treatment of Hemoglobinopathies
    Qatar National Research Fund · 2016–2019 · via Weill Cornell Medical College/Qatar
    NPRP 8-1898-3-392
  • PI
    Conversion of Human Adult Endothelium Into Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Immune Cell Engineering
    Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative (Weill Cornell) · 2016–2019
    2016-013
  • KP
    Endothelial mTOR Signaling Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging
    Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative (Weill Cornell) · 2014–2018
    2014-004
  • KP
    Rapid Prototyping of MPN Phenotypes Using Endothelium-Derived, Reprogrammed Hematopoietic Cells
    Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative (Weill Cornell) · 2016–2018
    TSCI 2016-024
  • PI
    2017 Angiogenesis Gordon Research Conference & Gordon Research Seminar
    NIAID · 2017–2018 · via NIH RePORTER
    R13AI131445-01
  • Co-I
    A Shared Facility for the Derivation, Validation, and Distribution of Stem Cells for Disease Modeling
    New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) · 2014–2018
    C029156
  • Co-I
    A rational immuno-oncology strategy to target tumor associated stromal cells using untibodies.
    Sanofi S.A. · 2016–2017Contract
    Sanofi RAA
  • PI
    Identification of Vascular-Derived Signals for Alveolar Lung Repair
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2013–2017
    R01HL119872-03
  • Sub-PI
    Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies for Genetic Diseases
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2013–2017 · via Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
    R01HL115128-04
  • PI
    Identification of Vascular Inductive Signal in Liver Regeneration
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2012–2017
    R01DK095039-04
  • KP
    Promoting Hematopoietic Regeneration After Chemo by Rescheduling Homeostasis
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2014–2016
    R56HL116436-01A1E
  • Sub-PI
    Role of Perivascular Microenvironment in Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumors (Project 3)
    National Cancer Institute · 2011–2016 · via Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center· 2 renewals
    U54CA163167-03
  • KP
    Genetic and Transcriptional Control of Spleen Development
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2010–2015
    R01HD061403-04
  • Sub-PI
    NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium Administrative Coordinating Center
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2013–2015 · via University of Maryland, Baltimore
    U01HL099997-06 EW
  • PI
    Contribution of the Vascular Niche to the Hematopoietic Reconstitution
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2009–2013
    R01HL097797-04
  • PI
    Dynamic regulation of the epigenome during hematopoietic differntiation
    NHLBI · 2009–2012 · via NIH RePORTER
    RC2HL101846-02
  • MPI
    Contribution of CXCR4+VEGFR1+ Hemangiogenic Progenitors to Lung Revascularization
    NHLBI · 2006–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
    P50HL084936-05
  • PI
    Reconstitution of thrombopoiesis by angiogenic factors
    NIAID · 2009–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
    RC1AI080309-01
  • PI
    Therapy of thrombocytopenic disorders by chemokines
    NHLBI · 2006–2007 · via NIH RePORTER
    R21HL083222-02
  • PI
    Vascular Heterogeneity Determination by Marrow Progenit*
    NHLBI · 2003–2007 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01HL075234-04
  • MPI
    Regulation of hemangiogenesis by adenoviral E4 genes
    NHLBI · 2002–2007 · via NIH RePORTER
    P01HL059312-10
  • MPI
    BONE MARROW TOTIPOTENT STEM CELLS & ADENOVIRAL VECTORS
    NHLBI · 2000–2005 · via NIH RePORTER
    U01HL066952-04
  • PI
    CHEMOKINE RECEPTORS AND ITP AND HIV THROMBOCYTOPE
    NHLBI · 1998–2003 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01HL061849-05
  • MPI
    Postnatal angiogenesis and marrow derived precursor cell
    NHLBI · 2002–2003 · via NIH RePORTER
    P01HL067839-05

Honors & distinctions

3 honors
  • Member · Association of American Physicians · 2022
  • Investigator · Howard Hughes Medical Institute · 2005
  • Member · American Society for Clinical Investigation · 2001

Available technologies

2 technologiesView full WCM portfolio ↗

News mentions

19 mentionsView all WCM news ↗
Show 14 more mentions

Mentoring

11 menteesAll publications with mentees →
1 MD student · 4 PhD students · 6 Postdocs

PhD · 4

Postdoc · 6