Dr. Steve A. Kay stands as a preeminent leader in the field of molecular chronobiology, currently serving as Provost Professor of Neurology and Director of the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience. Born in the United Kingdom, he earned both his bachelor's degree in 1981 and PhD in biochemistry in 1985 from the University of Bristol, where his initial research focused on light regulation of chlorophyll synthesis in plants. Following his doctoral work, Kay established his independent research program at Rockefeller University in 1989, where he began his groundbreaking investigations into circadian rhythms. His distinguished career has spanned multiple prestigious institutions including The Scripps Research Institute, University of California San Diego, and the University of Southern California, where he served as Dean of Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences from 2012 to 2015 before his current appointment. Kay's exceptional contributions to science have been recognized through his election to both the National Academy of Sciences in 2008 and the Royal Society as a Fellow.
Dr. Kay pioneered the revolutionary use of luciferase bioluminescence to visualize transcription in real time within live cells, tissues, and intact organisms, a methodological breakthrough that fundamentally transformed the study of circadian rhythms across biological systems. His laboratory developed the innovative technique of creating glowing Arabidopsis thaliana plants to screen for circadian rhythm mutants, leading to the identification of TOC1, the first clock gene discovered in plants, and numerous other core clock components that form the molecular basis of circadian timing mechanisms. His seminal work integrating high throughput data collection with genomic variation, gene expression, protein content, and computational tools has provided unprecedented insights into the complex genetic networks underlying circadian rhythms in humans, animals, and plants. Kay's research has been cited in Science magazine’s 'Breakthroughs of the Year' multiple times since 1997, highlighting the transformative impact of his discoveries on biological science. Furthermore, his laboratory pioneered the development of small molecule drugs targeting specific clock proteins, opening new therapeutic avenues for treating diseases ranging from diabetes to cancer.
As a dedicated mentor and scientific leader, Dr. Kay has profoundly influenced the field of chronobiology, with his trainees carrying forward his approach to science across research institutions worldwide and cementing his legacy as a true pioneer of modern circadian research. His laboratory has consistently operated at the research forefront by pursuing the next set of critical questions in biological timing, maintaining an atmosphere of enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity that has attracted and cultivated exceptional talent throughout his career. Currently directing the Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience at USC, Kay continues to advance our understanding of circadian clocks by seamlessly scaling from whole organism level dynamics down to atomic resolution structural insights. His work exemplifies the successful translation of fundamental biological discoveries into potential therapeutic applications, demonstrating the profound connections between basic science and human health. Dr. Kay remains actively engaged in cutting edge research, driving forward innovative approaches to understand how circadian systems function and how their manipulation can benefit human health and agricultural productivity.
