Dr. David Sinclair is a world-renowned scientist and preeminent authority in the biology of aging whose transformative research has fundamentally reshaped scientific understanding of longevity mechanisms. He currently serves as a tenured Professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, positions he has held with distinction for over two decades. Sinclair earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of New South Wales, Sydney in 1995, followed by postdoctoral research at MIT with Dr. Leonard Guarente, where he co-discovered foundational mechanisms of yeast aging and the role of Sir2 in epigenetic changes driven by genome instability. His recruitment to Harvard Medical School in 1999 marked the beginning of an extraordinary academic career that has positioned him at the vanguard of aging research, establishing him as one of the most influential figures in the field of longevity science.
Dr. Sinclair's pioneering research has revolutionized the scientific approach to aging through his seminal work on sirtuins and NAD+ biology, revealing how these protein-modifying enzymes respond to nutritional cues and influence fundamental aging processes across multiple organ systems. His laboratory achieved several historic milestones including being the first to identify NAD+ biosynthesis as a regulator of lifespan, the first to demonstrate sirtuins mediate caloric restriction effects in mammals, and the discovery of small molecule activators such as resveratrol that enhance metabolic function. Most significantly, Sinclair's team provided groundbreaking evidence for the Information Theory of Aging, demonstrating that loss of epigenetic information drives the aging process, and they pioneered the safe application of Yamanaka factors to partially reprogram cells and reverse age-related vision loss in mammals, representing a paradigm shift in aging intervention strategies.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Sinclair has been instrumental in translating scientific discoveries into practical applications through his co-founding of eight biotechnology companies including Sirtris Pharmaceuticals and Life Biosciences, demonstrating his commitment to bringing longevity research from bench to bedside. His influential book Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To and frequent appearances in major media outlets including 60 Minutes and TIME magazine have effectively communicated complex aging science to broad audiences, significantly advancing public understanding of longevity research. As co-founder and co-chief editor of the journal Aging, he has shaped the intellectual direction of the field while mentoring the next generation of scientists in aging biology. Currently focused on advancing epigenetic reprogramming techniques and developing novel interventions to extend human healthspan, Dr. Sinclair continues to lead the scientific frontier in longevity research, driving forward the transformative goal of making aging a treatable condition rather than an inevitable biological process.
