Dr. Toren Finkel stands as one of the world's most influential researchers in the field of aging biology and translational medicine. He currently serves as Director of the Aging Institute at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, holding the distinguished G. Nicholas Beckwith III and Dorothy B. Beckwith Endowed Chair of Translational Medicine. A physician-scientist of exceptional caliber, Dr. Finkel earned his combined MD and PhD degrees from Harvard Medical School following his undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Maryland. After completing his medical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical School, he established a remarkable career spanning nearly 25 years at the National Institutes of Health before joining the University of Pittsburgh in 2017.
Dr. Finkel's pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases. His laboratory has made seminal contributions to elucidating the critical roles of mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species, and cellular quality control pathways in the aging process, with his publications consistently ranking among the most cited in the field globally. Rather than pursuing lifespan extension, Dr. Finkel has championed the concept of expanding health span, focusing on the period of life free from chronic disease and disability through targeted interventions addressing fundamental aging biology. His groundbreaking work on NAD+ metabolism and the development of compounds that enhance NAMPT activity represents a promising therapeutic approach to maintaining metabolic health and preventing age-related decline.
As a leader shaping the future of aging research, Dr. Finkel has established the Aging Institute as a hub for unprecedented basic, translational, and clinical research efforts aimed at altering the trajectory of human aging. He co-founded Generian, a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapeutics for age-related conditions, demonstrating his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions. Dr. Finkel serves on numerous prestigious editorial boards including the Board of Reviewing Editors for Science, and his expertise is regularly sought by major research organizations and funding agencies worldwide. His current research continues to push boundaries with innovative approaches to detect and modify mitophagy, develop gerotherapeutics, and ultimately transform how society views aging from an inevitable decline to a modifiable biological process with significant therapeutic potential.
