Ali Khademhosseini


Dr. Khademhosseini is a MIT trained academic entrepreneur, who has held leading positions at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation; UCLA (Levi Knight Chair), and Harvard University. He has extensive experience in transforming biomaterials research into life-changing medical innovations and successful ventures. He is currently pursuing new AI enabled ventures to help build the future of humanity.

Invite Ali to Speak

Pioneering at the Intersection of Materials Science and Medicine

Ali Khademhosseini's cross-disciplinary research spans biomaterials, tissue engineering, microfluidics, and biofabrication. His groundbreaking work on GelMA (gelatin methacryloyl) has been adopted by laboratories worldwide, revolutionizing the field of tissue engineering with its versatile applications in 3D cell culture and bioprinting.

Beyond academia, Ali has demonstrated exceptional success in translating scientific discoveries into commercial ventures. Notable achievements include Obsidio, whose embolic gel technology was acquired by Boston Scientific, and Omeat, a pioneering cultivated meat company utilizing bovine plasma for scalable media production.

Pioneering Achievements

Dr. Khademhosseini's work spans fundamental research to commercial applications, with significant contributions that have transformed multiple fields in biomedical engineering.

GelMA Revolution

Pioneered gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels, now widely adopted as a standard biomaterial platform for tissue engineering and bioprinting applications worldwide.

Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip

Developed microphysiological systems that simulate human organ interactions, providing more accurate drug testing platforms and reducing reliance on animal testing.

Obsidio Success

Co-founded Obsidio, whose embolic gel technology received FDA clearance and was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2022, demonstrating successful translation from lab to market.

Omeat Innovation

Founded Omeat with a breakthrough approach to cultivated meat using bovine plasma for scalable media production, addressing cost challenges in cellular agriculture.

Recognition & Impact

1000+

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals including Nature, Science, and PNAS, establishing fundamental principles in biomaterials science.

150k+

Citations

Research cited by scientists worldwide, demonstrating far-reaching influence across multiple disciplines in bioengineering and materials science.

201

H-Index

Exceptional metric of research productivity and citation impact, placing Ali among the most influential researchers in his field globally.

Recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher, recipient of the 2025 Materials Research Society Mid-Career Researcher Award and the 2024 AIChE Acrivos Award, with memberships in prestigious academies including NAI, AIMBE, and RSC.

Research Pillars

Dr. Khademhosseini's research program integrates materials science, engineering principles, and biological systems to develop solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. His interdisciplinary approach has yielded transformative technologies in multiple domains.

Personalized Biomaterials

Developing tunable hydrogels and responsive materials that can be customized for specific patient needs and medical applications, enabling precision medicine approaches.

Biofabrication & Bioprinting

Creating advanced manufacturing techniques to produce complex tissue constructs with precise spatial control, potentially revolutionizing organ transplantation and regenerative medicine.

Microphysiological Systems

Engineering organ-on-chip platforms that recapitulate human physiology for drug testing, disease modeling, and personalized medicine applications, reducing animal testing needs.

Smart Devices & Adhesives

Inventing innovative medical adhesives and wearable technologies that integrate with biological tissues, enabling advanced monitoring and therapeutic interventions.

Representative Publications

Dr. Khademhosseini has published extensively in leading scientific journals, with work that has defined new directions in biomaterials and tissue engineering research.

1

GelMA: A versatile photocrosslinkable hydrogel for biomedical applications

Advanced Materials | 2015

Comprehensive review establishing GelMA as a foundational biomaterial for tissue engineering applications, now cited over 3,000 times.

2

Multi-organ system on a chip for drug screening applications

Lab on a Chip | 2016

Pioneering work demonstrating interconnected organ systems on microfluidic platforms for more physiologically relevant drug testing.

3

3D bioprinting of vascularized tissues: engineering the micro-architecture of blood vessels

Biomaterials | 2019

Breakthrough techniques for creating complex vascular networks in engineered tissues, addressing a critical challenge in tissue engineering.

Obsidio: From Lab to Acquisition

Obsidio represents one of Dr. Khademhosseini's most successful ventures, demonstrating his ability to translate fundamental research into commercially viable medical technologies with significant clinical impact.

The company developed GEM (Gel Embolic Material), a shear-thinning conformable embolic that fills and occludes blood vessels during minimally invasive procedures. This innovative material addresses limitations of traditional embolic agents, providing more precise control and better patient outcomes.

After receiving FDA 510(k) clearance, Obsidio was acquired by Boston Scientific in August 2022, marking a significant milestone in bringing this technology to patients worldwide.

Omeat: Pioneering Sustainable Protein

Founded in 2021, Omeat represents Dr. Khademhosseini's vision for addressing global food sustainability challenges through biotechnology. The company has developed an innovative approach to cultivated meat production using bovine plasma as a cost-effective growth medium.

This breakthrough technology significantly reduces production costs—one of the primary barriers to commercialization in the cultivated meat sector. While Dr. Khademhosseini founded the company, it is now led by CEO James Miller, who is guiding its continued development and commercialization efforts.

As of 2025, Omeat continues to refine its technology and scale production capabilities, positioning itself as a key player in the alternative protein industry.

Venture Philosophy

What I Look for in New Ventures

Unmet Clinical Need

Solutions that address significant gaps in current medical capabilities, targeting conditions with limited treatment options or opportunities for substantial improvement in patient outcomes.

Materials Advantage

Innovations that leverage novel materials properties to achieve functionality unattainable with existing technologies, creating competitive advantages through fundamental material science.

Regulatory Line of Sight

Clear pathway to regulatory approval that minimizes time-to-market while ensuring safety and efficacy, with development strategies aligned with regulatory requirements from inception.

Recent Awards & Honors

1

2025

Materials Research Society Mid-Career Researcher Award

Recognized for exceptional contributions to the field of materials science and engineering, particularly in biomaterials development and applications.

2

2024

AIChE Andreas Acrivos Award for Professional Progress in Chemical Engineering

Honored for outstanding progress in chemical engineering research and significant contributions to the field before the age of 45.

3

2023

Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics)

Recognized for exceptional research influence demonstrated by production of multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year.

4

2022

National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow

Elected for demonstrating a highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact.

Professional Memberships & Fellowships

Dr. Khademhosseini's leadership and contributions have been recognized through election to prestigious professional societies and academies worldwide.

National Academy of Inventors

Elected Fellow in recognition of exceptional achievements in patents and licensing, innovative discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and support of innovation.

American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering

AIMBE Fellow, representing the top 2% of medical and biological engineers, acknowledged for outstanding contributions to the field.

Royal Society of Chemistry

Fellow of the RSC (FRSC), recognizing significant contributions to the chemical sciences and advancement of the discipline.

Biomaterials Science and Engineering

International Fellow, honored for pioneering work in biomaterials development and applications in tissue engineering.

In the Press

"Ali Khademhosseini's lab at the Terasaki Institute is developing a revolutionary approach to producing cell-based meat that could dramatically reduce costs and accelerate commercialization."

Fast Company, 2023 Feature on Omeat's Approach to Cultivated Meat

"The acquisition of Obsidio strengthens our interventional oncology and embolization portfolio with a differentiated solution for a variety of challenging peripheral embolization procedures."

Boston Scientific press release on Obsidio acquisition, 2022

Speaking Topics

Dr. Khademhosseini offers engaging presentations on cutting-edge biomedical research and entrepreneurship, tailored for academic, industry, and general audiences.

Translating Biomaterials to Market

The journey from laboratory discovery to commercial product, with lessons learned from successful ventures like Obsidio. Insights on navigating regulatory pathways, securing funding, and building effective teams.

Organs-on-Chips for Drug Discovery

How microphysiological systems are revolutionizing pharmaceutical testing by providing more physiologically relevant models of human tissue. Current capabilities, limitations, and future directions.

Building Venture-Backable Science

Strategic approaches to conducting research with commercialization potential. Balancing scientific rigor with market considerations and identifying opportunities with significant translation potential.

GelMA: A Revolutionary Biomaterial

Dr. Khademhosseini's work on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has transformed the field of tissue engineering by providing a versatile, photocrosslinkable hydrogel platform with tunable properties suitable for diverse biomedical applications.

This pioneering biomaterial combines the biocompatibility of natural gelatin with the stability and customizability of synthetic polymers. Its ability to encapsulate cells in three-dimensional environments that mimic natural tissues has made it an essential tool for researchers worldwide.

The canonical review paper on GelMA, published in 2015, has been cited over 3,000 times and serves as a foundational reference for the field. Today, GelMA-based technologies continue to advance regenerative medicine, drug testing platforms, and biofabrication techniques.

Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip Systems

Dr. Khademhosseini's research team has pioneered the development of integrated microphysiological systems that simulate the interactions between multiple human organs on microfluidic platforms.

These sophisticated in vitro models recreate the complex interplay between different tissues and organ systems, providing unprecedented insights into drug metabolism, toxicity, and efficacy. By incorporating human cells in physiologically relevant microenvironments, these platforms offer more predictive results than traditional cell culture or animal testing.

The technology has significant implications for pharmaceutical development, potentially reducing the time and cost of bringing new drugs to market while minimizing reliance on animal testing. Commercial applications include drug screening services, personalized medicine approaches, and disease modeling platforms.

Academic Journey

1

2017-2021

UCLA

Levi Knight Chair and Professor of Bioengineering; Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Radiology. Established cutting-edge research programs in biofabrication and tissue engineering.

2

2005-2017

Harvard University & Wyss Institute

Professor at Harvard Medical School and faculty at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. Conducted groundbreaking research on biomaterials and microfluidic technologies at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.

3

2005-2017

MIT

Faculty in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. Early career research focusing on microscale technologies and their applications in tissue engineering.

4

2001-2005

MIT

Ph.D. in Bioengineering, developing fundamental technologies that would later form the foundation of his research program in biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Research Methodology

Identify Clinical Need

Collaborate with clinicians to understand unmet medical needs and identify opportunities where materials-based approaches could provide solutions.

Design Novel Materials

Develop biomaterials with specific properties tailored to address the identified clinical challenges, often combining natural and synthetic components.

Rigorous Testing

Evaluate materials and systems through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo testing to validate functionality, biocompatibility, and efficacy.

Translation Strategy

Develop pathways for clinical translation, including scalable manufacturing processes, regulatory considerations, and commercial viability assessment.

This cyclical approach ensures that research remains focused on addressing real-world healthcare challenges while maintaining scientific rigor and translational potential.

Collaborative Approach

Dr. Khademhosseini's research success stems from his commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts from diverse fields to tackle complex biomedical challenges.

His collaborative network spans academic institutions, clinical partners, industry collaborators, and funding agencies worldwide. This approach enables the integration of complementary expertise and resources, accelerating the pace of discovery and translation.

Potential collaborators are invited to explore opportunities for joint research initiatives, technology development partnerships, and consulting engagements. Areas of particular interest include biomaterials development, tissue engineering applications, drug delivery systems, and biomedical device innovation.

Academic Partnerships

Joint research initiatives with leading universities and research institutes worldwide, fostering knowledge exchange and shared resources.

Industry Collaborations

Strategic partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate translation of research findings into commercial products.

Clinical Engagement

Close collaboration with healthcare providers and clinicians to ensure research addresses relevant medical challenges with practical solutions.

Cultivated Meat Technology

Through Omeat, Dr. Khademhosseini has applied his expertise in tissue engineering to address one of the most significant challenges in cellular agriculture: developing cost-effective growth media for cultivated meat production.

The company's innovative approach uses bovine plasma as a growth medium, significantly reducing production costs compared to conventional media formulations that rely on expensive recombinant proteins. This breakthrough addresses one of the primary barriers to commercialization in the cultivated meat sector.

As highlighted in Fast Company's 2023 feature, Omeat's technology has the potential to accelerate the timeline for bringing cultivated meat products to market at competitive price points, contributing to more sustainable protein production systems globally.

Bioprinting Innovations

Dr. Khademhosseini's laboratory has developed pioneering bioprinting technologies that enable the fabrication of complex tissue constructs with unprecedented precision and functionality.

These advanced manufacturing techniques combine novel biomaterial formulations with innovative printing strategies to create three-dimensional structures that mimic the architecture and composition of natural tissues. A key breakthrough has been the development of methods to incorporate vascular networks, addressing one of the critical challenges in engineering larger tissue constructs.

The bioprinting platforms developed in Dr. Khademhosseini's lab have applications ranging from tissue models for drug testing to potential therapeutic tissues for transplantation, representing a significant advancement in the field of regenerative medicine.

Teaching & Mentorship

Throughout his career, Dr. Khademhosseini has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and mentorship, guiding the next generation of biomedical engineers and scientists.

He has supervised over 150 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to establish successful independent research programs at leading institutions worldwide. His mentoring philosophy emphasizes scientific rigor, creative thinking, and translational mindset.

In addition to formal teaching and mentorship, Dr. Khademhosseini regularly conducts workshops, seminars, and training sessions on advanced biomaterials techniques, entrepreneurship in biotechnology, and career development for early-stage researchers.

Smart Bioadhesives

Dr. Khademhosseini's research includes pioneering work on advanced bioadhesives that can bond to wet tissue surfaces, addressing critical challenges in surgical applications and wound closure.

These innovative materials incorporate biomimetic principles, drawing inspiration from natural adhesion mechanisms such as those found in marine organisms. The resulting adhesives combine strong bonding capability with biocompatibility and controlled biodegradation.

Applications include surgical sealants, hemostatic agents, and tissue adhesives that can replace or supplement traditional sutures and staples. Recent developments include stimulus-responsive adhesives that can be activated or deactivated on demand, providing unprecedented control in clinical settings.

Connect With Dr. Khademhosseini

Contact Information

For speaking inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or media requests, please use the contact form or reach out directly to the Terasaki Institute.

Email: ali@khademhosseini.com


Social Media:

Stay Updated

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on research breakthroughs, upcoming speaking engagements, and opportunities for collaboration.

Made with