Valter Longo

Valter Longo is an Italian-American cell biologist who serves as a professor at the USC Davis School of Gerontology. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences and acts as the director of the USC Longevity Institute. His primary research focus involves the study of biogerontology and the fundamental mechanisms that regulate the aging process across different eukaryotic species.

His academic work has extensively investigated the role of nutrient response genes and their impact on cellular protection and disease resistance. Longo is noted for his research into the physiological effects of fasting and fasting-mimicking diets. This research explores how dietary interventions influence metabolic pathways and genetic expression related to life span and cellular maintenance.

Throughout his professional career, Longo has proposed that longevity is governed by highly conserved evolutionary mechanisms. His findings suggest that specific genes involved in nutrient sensing are consistent across various organisms, providing a framework for understanding how environmental factors and biological processes intersect to influence the rate of biological aging.