We are pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Verdin, M.D., as Senior Adviser to DOC, effective immediately. Dr. Verdin, who served as a distinguished faculty member for DOC 2024, brings exceptional expertise in aging research and clinical innovation to this expanded role.
Dr. Verdin currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, a position he has held for the past decade. His research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of immune system evolution over time and the profound influence of nutrition and lifestyle interventions on these processes. Through rigorous scientific inquiry, Dr. Verdin has established himself as a leading authority on the modifiable aspects of human aging.
Dr. Verdin’s scholarly contributions include over 270 peer-reviewed publications and 18 patents. He holds membership in prestigious scientific organizations including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians. The Verdin Laboratory at the Buck Institute conducts groundbreaking research on how nutritional states—ranging from fasting protocols to obesity—regulate critical metabolic pathways such as NAD+ metabolismv and ketone body synthesis, thereby influencing both metabolic function and immune system performance.
Dr. Verdin’s research philosophy centers on rigorous scientific evidence rather than speculative claims. He advocates for a pragmatic approach to longevity, rejecting what he terms “nonsense” projections of extreme lifespan extension while focusing on achievable health improvements. His work demonstrates that 93% of longevity outcomes derive from modifiable factors: nutrition, sleep quality, exercise regimens, and lifestyle choices.
“Science is demonstrating that while chronological aging remains inevitable, biological aging proves malleable,” Dr. Verdin explains. “There exists a substantial component we can influence, and our research brings us progressively closer to mastering that intervention.”
Dr. Verdin maintains active academic appointments as Adjunct Professor of Gerontology at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Professor in the Department of Medicine at UCSF. His research excellence has been recognized through the Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging and a senior scholarship from the Ellison Medical Foundation. Verdin is also active in the biotech sector as a founder (BHB therapeutics, Napa Therapeutics, Selah) and as an advisor to startups and longevity clinics.
Strategic Vision for DOC 2025
In his advisory capacity, Dr. Verdin will contribute his extensive professional network and scientific expertise to shape DOC’s 2025 faculty selection and program development. His involvement ensures continued alignment between DOC’s educational mission and the most current advances in longevity research and clinical application.