A trailblazer in the field of regenerative medicine and immune health, UC Irvine alumnus Dr. Rafael Gonzalez has spent more than two decades at the forefront of scientific innovation. With both a B.S. and Ph.D. from UC Irvine—where his research focused on immune system interactions following spinal cord injury—Dr. Gonzalez has since become a leading expert in stem cell biology, longevity science, and age-related therapies.
Through his groundbreaking work at TheBioBox and RESTEM, he is reshaping how we think about immune health and the biological aging process. From patented stem cell technologies to investigational immune-based therapies and cosmetic regenerative innovations, Dr. Gonzalez continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in science and wellness. In this Q&A, we explore his journey from UCI to entrepreneur and educator, and the passion that drives his mission to help others live longer, healthier lives.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How did your journey in research and regenerative medicine begin?
A: I earned both my bachelor’s and Ph.D. in biology from UC Irvine, where I was fortunate to be part of minority research programs that allowed me to publish as a first author during undergrad. That early exposure sparked my passion for research. I stayed in the same lab for my Ph.D.—the first lab at UCI to study stem cells in spinal cord injury through the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. While my thesis focused on immune responses after spinal cord injury, I contributed to broader stem cell work. After graduating in 2006, I went straight into the cell therapy industry and have been in that space ever since. I really enjoyed my time at UCI. It’s easy for me to give back to a university that gave so much to me.
Q: Is this the kind of research you always envisioned doing, or did your path evolve?
A: After leaving UCI, I shifted toward a more translational focus—getting therapies from the lab to patients more quickly, or what we call “bench to bedside.” Nearly 20 years later, I’m proud to say we’re between phases two and three of a pivotal trial for an autoimmune condition called idiopathic inflammatory myositis, a rare disease affecting the skin, muscles, and lungs. Our company, RESTEM, received FDA fast-track and orphan disease designations, which help accelerate development. Our phase one results were outstanding, and if phases two and three confirm the data, we hope to achieve pre-market approval in the next few years.
Q: Receiving fast-track status must be rare. What has that journey been like?
A: It’s definitely rare—and a lot of work! Manufacturing cell therapeutics at scale is one of the biggest challenges in the field, but we’ve spent years perfecting it. At RESTEM, our focus is on modulating the immune system, since nearly every disease has an immune component. We’re also pioneering work in targeting senescent or “zombie” cells—aged cells that no longer divide but linger and cause dysfunction. We’re preparing for clinical studies in that area, as well as in osteoarthritis, all part of our broader focus on age-related diseases.
Q: When you talk about aging, are you referring to outward appearance, or the body’s overall aging process?
A: We approach aging on two fronts. First, we focus on the immune system, because as we age, it becomes dysregulated and inflamed—leading to age-related diseases like cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. By modulating the immune response, we aim to improve overall health and longevity.
Second, we’ve developed a regenerative skincare product to support visible aging. About 10 years ago, I created a spray-on treatment that boosts collagen and hyaluronic acid production to accelerate skin healing after cosmetic procedures like microneedling, lasers, or chemical peels. It’s sold through doctors and has helped fund our clinical research. We’ve also been fortunate to have angel investors—some of whom personally benefited from our therapies—who have contributed significantly to our studies, including one who donated over $8 million for advancing clinical studies through phase one and two.
Q: How did you decide what path to pursue when you started undergrad?
A: Originally, I planned to become a physical therapist because of a back injury I’d experienced—I fell in love with the field during my own recovery. But while at UCI, I joined the Bridge program, which introduced me to research, and I was hooked. I spent countless hours in the lab, even though I didn’t understand much at first. I’ll never forget being handed a stack of papers and told to come back with questions—that lit the spark.
Soon after, I joined a research team looking to launch a new project. I raised my hand, told them I’d put in whatever time it took to succeed, and that opportunity shaped my thesis and, ultimately, my career. Now I always tell students and interns: fall in love with what you’re doing. If you’re not passionate about it, you’re on the wrong path. UC Irvine is the perfect place to explore those passions—there are incredible resources if you’re willing to seek them out.
Q: You currently have two UCI graduate students working with you, right?
A: Yes, we have two UCI doctoral candidates, Nancy Haro-Ramirez and Jasmine Chavez, both in their final years of their program. We initially planned to bring on just one intern, but after discussions with the team, we decided to take both because of their complementary strengths. Jasmine even specializes in neuroscience, which aligns with some of our exploratory work in Alzheimer’s.
They’re both doing a paid, two-month internship working about 24 hours a week, getting hands-on experience in the industry. It’s a valuable opportunity because industry work is very different from academia—especially when it comes to regulatory requirements and documentation. It can slow things down, but it also ensures rigor and often leads to unexpected insights when you revisit data. We’re growing quickly and will likely have a full-time position opening later this year, so the timing is great for them to get immersed in the process.
Q: When you first started at UCI, did you always plan to go into industry?
A: Not initially. It wasn’t until I was deep into my thesis work that I saw the contrast between academia and industry. Academia often moves slower, relies heavily on grants, and doesn’t pay as well. In industry, especially in well-funded companies, you can move faster and work toward clear, tangible goals.
The big difference is that in academia, even after a Ph.D., you usually pursue a postdoc under someone else’s guidance. In industry, you still design experiments, but you also have to think commercially: Can we mass produce this? Will the FDA process slow us down? How do we keep costs under control? Some ideas are brilliant but impractical—they might take 12 years and millions of dollars to develop. I prefer a fast-track approach: get version one out, then keep improving with versions two, three, and beyond.
That mindset shift from pure science to scalable solutions is essential in this space. In fact, one of my former graduate professors from UCI, Dr. Toai Nguyen, made that transition with us—he’s been our lead scientist and lab manager for 12 years now. Moving from academia to industry is an adjustment, but once you get it, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Q: What advice—besides loving what you do—would you give graduate students?
A: Beyond loving what you do, my advice is to do your due diligence. Whatever path you choose—academia or industry—understand the potential obstacles ahead. If you’re going into industry, look for companies where you can grow and advance. If you’re pursuing academia, know that it’s largely self-driven and often reliant on securing grants.
I weighed both options and realized academia wasn’t for me—I didn’t want to be tied to the grant-writing cycle. I wanted to help move therapies from bench to bedside. So, think carefully about where you want to end up and seek advice from professors or industry professionals about the challenges they’ve encountered. That insight is invaluable when charting your own path.
Q: Last question—just for fun—what was your favorite spot on UCI’s campus?
A: I spent a lot of time in the Gillespie Building near the Med Sci campus, and right between those buildings was a volleyball court. Almost every Friday, our lab group would gather there to play, unwind, and have fun. Even though we were off the clock, we’d still end up talking science—it just comes with the territory! That spot holds a lot of great memories. And every time I visit UCI now, I’m amazed at how much the campus has grown—it’s incredible.
