I hold a PhD in protein expression, and my original professional focus was cancer research. As a grad student, I realized that changing how we eat is crucial to solving many of the world’s greatest challenges, from pandemics to global hunger to environmental destruction to animal welfare. That’s why I pivoted towards using my career to help reform the food system through advocacy and innovation.
Today, I’m the Bioprocessing Senior Scientist at the Good Food Institute and the Co-Founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP), a nonprofit which provides mentorship and support to animal advocates, particularly student organizations, to effectively advocate for human and nonhuman animals alike. I’m also one of the advisers at Effective Thesis, helping other scholars to work on impactful theses.
https://gfi.org/team/faraz-harsini/
https://www.alliedscholars.org/
https://effectivethesis.org/expert-network/
My article about cultivated meat, pandemics, climate, and alt proteins:
https://www.whatiscultivatedmeat.com/post/guest-writer-dr-faraz-harsini
The scale of animal suffering and exploitation is vast, yet it remains one of the most neglected moral crises of our time. Beyond its ethical implications, animal farming is a key driver of some of the most pressing global public health challenges, including antibiotic resistance, zoonotic pandemics, and the rise of chronic diseases. Heart disease, the leading cause of death globally, is closely linked to the consumption of animal products—meat, eggs, and dairy—laden with saturated fat, endotoxins, and inflammatory compounds. By shifting away from animal farming, we not only alleviate immense animal suffering but also target systemic issues that exacerbate global public health risks. This transition addresses interconnected challenges such as global malnutrition, climate change, and the fragility of food systems, offering a high-impact solution with profound ethical, environmental, and health benefits.