Thomas Zachary Thompson

Dr. Thomas Zachary Thompson serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology with subspecialty certification in blood banking and transfusion medicine, Dr. Thompson specializes in bone marrow transplantation and laboratory management of novel cell therapy products, with particular expertise in CAR-T cell therapy.

His educational background includes:

• 2022: Fellow in Cellular Therapy, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
• 2021: Fellow in Transfusion Medicine, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
• 2020: Chief Resident and Residency in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, Augusta University
• 2016: MD, Georgia Regents University
• 2012: BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University

Dr. Thompson's research program focuses on subpopulation enumeration of cell types in conventional cell therapy grafts to improve time to engraftment and standardization of novel cell therapy collections for commercial and research drug products. His work bridges clinical pathology with innovative cell therapy applications, addressing critical challenges in hematopoietic progenitor cell processing and transfusion medicine.

His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly contributions across transfusion medicine, cellular therapy, and laboratory diagnostics, with recent work emphasizing hematopoietic progenitor cell optimization, therapeutic plasma exchange applications, and diagnostic innovations in complex hematological conditions. His research spans both clinical applications and laboratory science, reflecting his dual expertise in pathology and transfusion medicine.

Professional recognitions include:

• 2021: Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine certification from American Board of Pathology
• 2020: Anatomic & Clinical Pathology certification from American Board of Pathology
• 2019: Resident Award for Excellence in Pathology (A. Bleakley Chandler, M.D. Resident Award)
• 2018: Award for Excellence in Research (Stephen C. Peiper, MD, Housestaff Award)
• 2016: Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society consideration
• 2016: Dr. Walter L. Shepeard Achievement Award

Dr. Thompson actively contributes to professional organizations as a Voting Member of the Manufacturing Quality and Compliance Subcommittee and the Transfusion Subcommittee at Mayo Clinic Florida. His service on the College of American Pathologists Inspection Team and membership in societies including the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy demonstrates his commitment to advancing laboratory standards. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, he contributes to the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and CAR-T Cell Therapy Program, applying his research to treat conditions including acute leukemia and multiple myeloma through procedures such as apheresis, blood transfusion, and CAR-T cell therapy.