Advancing Cellular Therapy

Federico Rodriguez Quezada SBB, MLS(ASCP)

Federico Rodriguez Quezada has more than 36 years of experience in the cellular therapy and immunohematology fields. He earned his bachelor of science degree in medical technology from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, and attended Specialist in Blood Banking School at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He later earned his SBB and MLS (International) from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Rodriguez Quezada has held various positions during his professional career, including medical technologist, sales specialist, laboratory supervisor, education coordinator, laboratory manager, technical director, adjunct faculty, coordinator and, recently, consultant.

His experience includes all aspects of manufacturing, regulatory requirements and compliance, process design, process improvement, regulatory and quality management systems in blood banking and cellular therapy, including bone marrow, cord blood, peripheral blood and other novel therapies.

Rodriguez Quezada is an active member of AABB, ASCLS, FSCLS, ASCP, ASFA, ASTCT, ISCT and SCABB. As a consultant, he has advised laboratories and institutions across the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. From 2005 to 2012, he served as a FACT/NetCord inspector and AABB assessor for cellular therapies.

Rodriguez Quezada has held numerous committee roles in international organizations, including chair of the ISCT Laboratory Practices Committee. He has also served on several AABB committees, including the committee of Accreditation for SBB Schools, the Cellular Therapy Accreditation Unit program, the Cellular Therapy Subsection Coordinating Committee and the Spanish Language Section Committee (chair). He has contributed to the Cellular Therapy Current and Emerging Technologies Committee, the Leadership and Administration Committee, and currently serves as co-chair of the AABB Awards Committee.

AABB NEWS: How did you become interested in the blood field in general and, more specifically, cellular therapy and immunohematology?

Rodriguez Quezada: My journey began a long time ago (in the 1980s) shortly after I finished college. While I was looking for a job, a temporary night position opened in a hospital-based laboratory in my hometown—the same hospital my mother worked at as the NICU nurse supervisor. At the time, many people were hesitant to work in the blood bank because of the AIDS crisis. I saw an opportunity, accepted the contract and soon discovered that I truly loved blood banking.

Later, I moved to Mexico City for a full-time permanent position in a clinical laboratory. I was eventually transferred to the blood bank, where I worked for almost 20 years. During that time, my medical director—a hematologist-oncologist who is now retired—asked if I would be interested in helping him operate a “new” apheresis machine as he began performing hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplants derived from bone marrow and peripheral blood. That opportunity allowed me to grow into the field of cellular therapies while continuing to build on my strong blood banking foundation.

AABB NEWS: With more than three decades in the field, what major advancements in cellular therapy stand out the most to you?

Rodriguez Quezada: I would have to say the advent of truly personalized medicine, such as the CAR T-cell therapy, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and other similar therapies derived from the patient’s own cells to fight against different types of malignancies.

AABB NEWS: What is the biggest challenge facing the biotherapies and cellular therapy field today?

Rodriguez Quezada: The biggest challenge is improving access for patients who need these therapies and making them more affordable. Reducing manufacturing costs and eventually being able to generate these therapeutic cells in vivo would be a true game-changer.

AABB NEWS: What aspects of manufacturing or regulatory compliance do you find most critical for ensuring patient safety?

Rodriguez Quezada: For me, it comes down to two key aspects: maintaining a strict chain of identity from collection through infusion, and minimizing the potential risks of contamination, whether from microorganisms or unwanted particulates.

Reducing manufacturing costs and eventually being able to generate these therapeutic cells in vivo in the near future would be a true game changer.

AABB NEWS: As co-chair of the AABB Awards Committee, what stood out to you about this year’s award recipients recognized during the 2025 Annual Meeting?

Rodriguez Quezada: I was struck by how humble all the award recipients were. They have contributed so much to the field of blood and biotherapies, yet they were genuinely honored to be recognized by their peers and colleagues.

AABB NEWS: As someone who has consulted globally, what differences have you observed in how various regions approach cellular therapy?

Rodriguez Quezada: I have been fortunate to visit many places, but I don’t see significant differences. People everywhere are working to make these therapies more accessible to their patients and find creative ways to reduce costs.

AABB NEWS: What lessons from your time as a FACT/NetCord inspector and an AABB assessor continue to influence your work today?

Rodriguez Quezada: I have always been detail-oriented and observant. I still continue to use the skills I learned, connecting with people, and consistently looking for ways to improve without being critical.

AABB NEWS: What advice would you give laboratories or programs looking to strengthen their quality management systems?

Rodriguez Quezada: Be sure to consistently incorporate all 10 quality system essentials (QSEs) into your quality structure and revisit your quality management plan regularly to update it as needed. The size of your institution does not matter. You must have good ‘bones’ to move forward in this evolving field!

AABB NEWS: What are your favorite leisure activities outside of work? 

Rodriguez Quezada: Being a water sign, I truly enjoy spending time near water, whether at the beach, lake or even by the pool at home. I also love unwinding with red wine and cheese while watching the sunset, one of my favorite pastimes!