Thomas A. Rando, M.D., Ph.D.

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• Director, UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center

• Professor, Neurology

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Dr. Thomas A. Rando is an esteemed American stem cell biologist and neurologist, widely recognized for his groundbreaking research in stem cell biology and the biology of aging. He is the Director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research and serves as a professor of Neurology and Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

 

Before joining UCLA, Dr. Rando held various leadership roles at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he was a Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. He was the founding director of the Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, co-founder and deputy director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, founding director of Stanford’s Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic, and Chief of Neurology at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

 

Dr. Rando’s research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms governing stem cell biology and aging. His studies explore how environmental factors influence stem cell aging and how modifying these factors can delay or reverse age-related changes. His work has been at the forefront of understanding the molecular regulation of stem cell quiescence, which is crucial for tissue repair and regeneration.

 

A clinician and researcher with a translational focus, Dr. Rando has developed innovative tools to assess disease progression and therapeutic responses in animal models of muscular dystrophy. His pioneering work in stem cell therapeutics combines stem cell biology with bioengineering to restore damaged muscle tissue.

 

One of Dr. Rando’s most notable contributions is his research into the epigenetics of stem cell aging, which demonstrated that exposure to young blood can rejuvenate aged tissues. His studies have also revealed that exercise can regenerate aged stem cells, paving the way for new therapies targeting neurodegenerative and age-related conditions. These discoveries have catalyzed an expanding field of aging research and clinical trials aimed at reversing cellular aging and enhancing tissue resilience.

 

Dr. Rando’s contributions to science have earned him election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. Through his leadership, he continues to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative approaches to advance regenerative medicine and improve human health.

 

 

 

 

Otto O. Yang, M.D.

Professor of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

Associate Chief of Infectious Diseases, UCLA

 

Dr. Otto O. Yang is a renowned physician-scientist and global expert in cellular immunology with over 25 years of experience in researching viruses, T cells, and immune therapies. He has been a faculty member at UCLA since 1999, earning tenure in 2004, and currently serves as the Associate Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine. He is also the Interim Director of the UCLA AIDS Institute, Co-Director of the Office of Physician-Scientist Career Development, and Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of CDR3 Therapeutics.

 

Dr. Yang’s groundbreaking research focuses on T cell immunology, particularly in HIV infection, to develop immune therapies and vaccines. His work extends beyond HIV, addressing other diseases such as cancer, organ transplantation, and viral infections. His lab has pioneered studies on CTLs (cytotoxic T lymphocytes), exploring their antiviral function, mechanisms of immune evasion, and applications for immunotherapy.

 

After earning his M.D. from Brown University, Dr. Yang completed his residency at Bellevue Hospital/NYU, where his clinical experience with HIV-infected patients shaped his lifelong interest in infectious diseases and HIV pathogenesis. He then pursued a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where he developed a research program studying the role of CTLs in HIV-1 pathogenesis.

 

Dr. Yang has made significant contributions to translational immunology, including advancements in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for treating HIV, viral infections, and cancer. He has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications, secured nearly $30 million in competitive research funding, and holds multiple patents for his innovations.

 

Beyond his research, Dr. Yang maintains an active clinical role, treating patients in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA. He has also been instrumental in training and mentoring future physician-scientists, with many of his trainees advancing to prestigious academic institutions.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Yang emerged as a key expert, leading clinical trials at UCLA that established the efficacy of treatments like remdesivir and baricitinib. He has also been a trusted voice in public health, providing expertise to media outlets such as CNN, The New York Times, and Time Magazine.

 

Dr. Yang’s dedication to advancing immunology has earned him numerous accolades and recognition in the scientific community. His work continues to shape the fields of infectious diseases, immunotherapy, and vaccine development, striving to address some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time.

 

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