Dr. Rubin is endowed Professor of Plastic Surgery and Professor of Bioengineering, at the University of Pittsburgh with a faculty appointment with the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM). Dr. Rubin developed a basic science research program in the biology of adipose-derived stem cells and serves as Co-Director of the Adipose Stem Cell Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rubin holds leadership positions in national and international plastic surgery societies, is the principal investigator in an NIH-funded line of research aimed at developing cell based methods for clinical soft tissue reconstruction after cancer therapy and holds two FDA cell therapy IDE protocols and an IND, all as sponsor/ investigator. Dr. Rubin’s many scientific leadership positions include past president of the International Society of Adipose Therapeutics and Science and past Chairman of the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He has received numerous awards for research, including the highly competitive Gingrass Award from the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He is the recipient of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons Academic Scholar Award, and the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic and Translational Science. In 2007, Dr. Rubin was selected to receive a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. Rubin contributes expertise in scientific models assessing the use of adult adipose stem cell therapies for tissue engineering and regenerative applications