Michel Sadelain

Inaugural Director, Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy
Columbia University

Dr. Michel Sadelain joined Columbia University in 2024 as the Inaugural Director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering & Therapy and Director of the Cancer Cell Therapy Initiative at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. That same year, he was awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his pioneering role in developing CAR T-cell immunotherapy. Prior to his move to Columbia, he served as the founding Director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he led major advances in T-cell engineering. His research focuses on expanding CAR T-cell therapy to solid tumors and improving its safety and efficacy. He completed postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute at MIT, earned a PhD from the University of Alberta, and received his MD from the University of Paris. Widely recognized as a leader in cancer immunotherapy, Sadelain is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a frequent contributor to leading scientific journals.