Mohammad Dastjerdi Joins NYU Langone to Launch Stem Cell Transplant Program

Before moving to NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Dr. Dastjerdi served as an associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. His clinical practice focuses on corneal transplantation, dry eye disease, and the management of anterior segment trauma. Beyond his surgical work, he has pioneered investigational uses of antiangiogenic medications to treat corneal neovascularization, a condition that often complicates transplant success by allowing immune cells to infiltrate the cornea.

The new stem cell transplant program aims to address severe surface damage caused by chemical burns, infections, or autoimmune conditions. By collaborating with the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, Dr. Dastjerdi intends to provide specialized care currently unavailable elsewhere in the tristate area. Kathryn A. Colby, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, noted that his team-based approach fills a critical gap for patients who previously lacked local access to these advanced treatments. Dr. Dastjerdi, who holds multiple patents and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, will also continue his active surgical practice and his role as a section editor for Survey of Ophthalmology.