Robert S. Makar

Robert S. Makar, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and serves as the Director of the Blood Transfusion Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is also an Associate in Pathology. His leadership spans clinical service, research, and education in transfusion medicine and immunohematology.

Education:

• MD – UT Southwestern Medical School
• Residency – Massachusetts General Hospital
• Fellowship – Massachusetts General Hospital

Research Focus:

Dr. Makar’s research centers on immune mechanisms underlying alloimmunization to blood transfusions, particularly involving HLA and red blood cell antigens. He is a leading investigator in strategies to reduce TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury), and he explores the application of cellular immunotherapies to treat autoimmune diseases and malignancies. His work bridges bench-to-bedside translation in transfusion medicine.

Publications and Impact:

Dr. Makar has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. His recent work includes high-impact studies on recombinant ADAMTS13 therapy for TTP, genetic determinants of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, and clinical scoring systems for thrombotic microangiopathies. These contributions have advanced diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms in hematology and transfusion medicine.

Clinical and Administrative Roles:

As Director of the Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Makar oversees a full-service, FDA-licensed blood bank that includes donor services, apheresis, therapeutic infusion, and HLA testing. The service supports high-volume clinical programs including transplant, trauma, and oncology. He also provides expert consultation on transfusion management, apheresis therapy, and preoperative blood conservation strategies.

Labs and Teams:

Dr. Makar leads the Blood Transfusion Service team at MGH, which includes co-directors, associate directors, and collaborating faculty across pathology, hematology, and transplant services. The service integrates clinical care, translational research, and education in a multidisciplinary academic environment.