Raphael P. Meier

Raphael P. Meier is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, specializing in Liver, Kidney, and Pancreas Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. His research focuses on Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Therapies for liver diseases and Genetic Determinants of Islet Function in diabetes and transplantation.

• Education: MD-PhD from University of Geneva (2007-2013), Residency and Fellowship in Surgery at Geneva University Hospital (2007-2017), Liver/Kidney/Pancreas Transplantation at UCSF (2018-2020).

Research Interests: Dr. Meier’s work bridges clinical and translational research in xenotransplantation, MSC-based anti-inflammatory therapies, and genetic factors affecting transplant outcomes. He has pioneered studies on ex vivo organ perfusion and immune tolerance mechanisms.

• Xenotransplantation (kidney, liver, islet cells)
• MSC delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines
• Genetic predictors of islet viability
• Organ preservation using machine perfusion
• Post-transplant complications (e.g., sarcopenia, CMV)

Scientific Awards:

• 2021: ATC Young Investigator Award
• 2018: Zollikofer Award (Swiss Association for Laparoscopic Surgery)
• 2015: IPITA Derek Gray Distinguished Traveling Scholarship
• Multiple awards from University Hospital Geneva and Geneva University

Grants: Dr. Meier has secured funding as Principal Investigator for projects on Genetically Engineered MSCs (Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation, 2021), Xenotransplantation (STARTER-RS1-18, 2016), and Diabetes-Linked Transplantation Outcomes (Diabetes Research Connection).

• Current affiliations include International Xenotransplantation Association (IXA), American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), and International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS).