Summary
Dr. Akel is an active scientist and researcher, he has more than 25 years’ experience where has been involved in scientific, clinical, and regulatory issues related to cell therapy, Biobanking and laboratory medicine. His research interest is the study of biology of stem cells and the development of novel cell therapies for treatment of hematopoietic and degenerative diseases. Dr. Akel authored more than 30
Professional Experience
- Director of the Cell & gene therapy labs / St Jude children’s research hospital (Memphis, TN, USA). 2018 – present.
- Associate Professor at the Saint Louis University School of medicine (St. Louis, MO, USA). 2012 – present.
- The CEO/Lab director of the Baby Cord-Jordan; a cell/tissue banking facility in Jordan granted, under his leadership, the AABB (American Association for Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) accreditation. 2016-2018.
- The Scientific & Laboratory Director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank & the Cell therapy Laboratory of the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. 2010-2017. He has directed basic research, supported the US-FDA licensure of the ALLOCORDTM (HPC, Cord blood), and supervised laboratories of bone marrow transplantation.
- Assistant professor of pathology /Hematology at the Hashemite University. 2003-2008 Four years.
- The founder/Chair of Yafa Medical Labs. 2008-2017. He has directed operations of various CAP (College of American pathology), AABB (American Association for Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies), and FACT (Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accredited Cell therapy and medical laboratories. Inspector for FACT (Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy).
- Supervisor of bone marrow transplantation and stem cell therapy laboratory at central laboratory at King Hussein Cancer Center. 2000-2001.
•Research assistant, Blood Bank Rudolf- Wirchow Klinikum- Berlin Germany. 1996-1997.
Education
- PhD of Pathology/Hematology from the Athens Medical School – Greece.
Certifications
- Postdoctoral research in Stem Cell Biology at the National Cancer Institute, NIH –USA.
- Member of the AABB, ASH, and ISCT. As a SME, was elected for two terms (2011-2015) as Member Cell Therapy Section Coordinating Committee & Leader Cord Blood banks subsection at the AABB.