Meet CellTrans
Our mission, our history, our team. Learn more about CellTrans.
CellTrans Mission
The Story
CellTrans is a faculty start-up company launched out of Dr. José Oberholzer’s scientific research group at the University of Illinois. Dr. Oberholzer has led the Islet Transplant Program at the University of Illinois since August of 2003 and his team has completed over 600 islet isolations as well as successful Phase I, II, and III clinical trials for islet transplantation. CellTrans aims to bring cell-based therapies including isolated islets, encapsulated islets, and human derived stem-cells to clinical application to combat the global epidemic of diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
The team includes expert scientists in the fields of diabetes and biomaterials and has highly-trained technicians, experienced surgeons, and professional administrative staff. At the core of CellTrans is the ethical and efficacious utilization of human organs and tissues for either therapeutic application or to provide exclusive research services.
Meet the CellTrans Team.

José Oberholzer, MD
Founder & President

James McGarrigle, PhD
Chief Operating Officer
Prior to CellTrans, Dr. McGarrigle served as Assistant Research Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in the Department of Surgery, evaluating various cell therapies and biomaterial products to combat diabetes, as well as research projects aimed to improve and better assess human islet manufacture and transplantation. Earned bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry and a PhD in Microbiology, both from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Giovanna La Monica, PhD
Director of Quality

Peter Rios, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer

Ira Joshi, MS
Senior Research and Manufacturing Associate

Sofia Ghani
Quality Manager

David Cook, MS
Manufacturing Associate

Daisy Lopez
Research and Manufacturing Associate

Hafsa Nasir
Research Associate

Quetzalli Rodriguez
Undergraduate Research Assistant
In her free time, Quetzalli enjoys reading medical memoirs and spending time with her family.

Sharon Roberts
Undergraduate research assistant
Fun Fact: Sharon collects antiques that included novels and music boxes dating back to the 1800s.

Yi Li, Ph.D
Director of Biostatistics

Jenny Cook, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Yong Wang, MD, MS
Vice President