Meet the Team
Keith Comito
Chief Executive Officer
Keith Comito is a mathematician, computer programmer, and leading advocate for research aimed at extending healthy human lifespan. In addition to developing foundational infrastructure for high-profile media applications such as HBO NOW and Disney+, he is also the inventor of several technologies relating to digital biomarkers, media streaming, extended reality, and decentralized science (DeSci).
Seeing age-related disease as one of the most profound problems facing humanity, he works to accelerate and democratize longevity research efforts through initiatives such as Lifespan.io, A4LI, and VitaDAO. He has developed novel neuroscience / DeSci projects, participated in numerous speaking engagements and press appearances around the world, and has produced several high-impact media projects to inform and engage the public regarding aging research.
In the past he has created popular video games, musical applications, and biotechnology projects featured in Forbes and NPR – such as his work with the Brooklyn community lab Genspace, where he helped create games which allow players to direct the motion of microscopic organisms using galvanotaxis. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics, B.S. in Computer science, and M.S. in Applied Mathematics at Hofstra University, where his work included analysis of the LMNA protein.
Keith also serves as President of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Oliver Medvedik
Chief Science Officer
Oliver Medvedik, Co-founder of Genspace citizen science laboratory in Brooklyn NY, earned his Ph.D. at Harvard Medical School in the Biomedical and Biological Sciences program. As part of his doctoral work he has used single-celled budding yeast as a model system to map the genetic pathways that underlie the processes of aging in more complex organisms, such as humans. Prior to arriving in Boston for his doctoral studies, he has lived most of his life in New York City. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology from Hunter College, City University of New York.
Since graduating from Harvard, he has worked as a biotechnology consultant, taught molecular biology to numerous undergraduates at Harvard University and mentored two of Harvard’s teams for the international genetically engineered machines competition (IGEM) held annually at M.I.T. Oliver is also the Director of The Maurice Kanbar Center for Biomedical Engineering at the Cooper Union, New York City. The Maurice Kanbar Center for Biomedical Engineering is open to all Cooper Union faculty and students working on bioengineering projects requiring equipment and space for tissue culture, genetic engineering, biomechanics, and related research. Faculty that is currently using the facility are pursuing groundbreaking biomedical research in such fields as biomedical devices, tissue engineering, obstructive sleep apnea biomechanics also collaborating with several major New York City-based hospitals. The Kanbar Center continues to provide space for undergraduate teams participating in the international genetically engineered competition (iGEM) during the summer, as well as space for courses that offer a biological laboratory component.
Oliver also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Maria Entraigues
Director of Development
Maria is a radical-change believer and spends most of her multifaceted life working on facilitating disruptive change to the way we currently treat aging. You can find her giving a talk about the future of aging, singing live for thousands of people, composing and acting for a Hollywood film or flying an airplane. Her passion and strong involvement in science and technology, combined with her skills in Public Relations, positioned her as Director of Development in charge of building new relationships for LRI, spreading the word about its work and driving donations.
Dr. Emily Lillian Fishman
Director of Education
Lilli joined LRI following her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis. There, as a USDA NIFA Fellow, she investigated the activation of the embryonic genome in hopes to identify better embryos and eventually improve in vitro fertilization to more efficiently produce cattle for the beef and dairy industries, and improve development rates in clinical embryology settings. She completed her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Toledo. She led an international team of scientists to discover a second, atypical centriole in human and cattle sperm, which functions during fertilization and development.
Lilli founded the UT Careers in Science Committee, held executive roles in the UT Graduate Student Association, and participated in the Frontiers in Stem Cell and Cancer training program. These experiences have fueled her passion for building equitable representation in advanced training opportunities in order to inspire and support the next generation of pioneers in the field of anti-aging.
Kelly Boemmel
Director of Operations
Kelly completed her B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland in 2017. In 2024, she received her Master of Public Administration with a focus in Public Sector and Nonprofit Management from the University of Baltimore. Kelly feels that her purpose in life is to leave a positive impact on her community and, ultimately, the world.
Christie Sacco
Marketing Consultant, Acting Director
Christie is a strategic writer and communications consultant with a multidisciplinary background spanning digital marketing, brand development, and science communication. A full-time digital nomad, she brings over a decade of experience supporting mission-driven organizations, startups, and global brands across sectors such as longevity biotech, sustainable living, and adventure travel. Christie is the founder of Delite in Disorder, where she leads projects ranging from brand strategy and media production to event planning and cross-cultural communications.
James Hale
Director of Strategic Partnerships
James Hale serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Lifespan Research Institute. In this role, he spearheads initiatives to cultivate and strengthen strategic alliances with key stakeholders across the longevity biotechnology sector and beyond.
James graduated from the University of Florida, where he developed a profound interest in scientific research and data-driven methodologies aimed at extending healthspan and lifespan.
Throughout his career, James has demonstrated a passion for fostering collaboration and driving innovation to achieve transformative health solutions. His expertise in building impactful relationships and his strategic vision support the advancement of LRI’s mission.
Steve Hill
Editor in Chief
Steve is an active journalist in the aging research and biotechnology field and has to date written over 600 articles on the topic, interviewed over 100 of the leading researchers in the field, hosted livestream events focused on aging, as well as attending various medical industry conferences. He served as a member of the Lifespan.io board since 2017 until the org merged with SENS Research Foundation and formed the LRI.
His work has been featured in H+ magazine, Psychology Today, Singularity Weblog, Standpoint Magazine, Swiss Monthly, Keep me Prime, and New Economy Magazine. Steve is one of three recipients of the 2020 H+ Innovator Award and shares this honour with Mirko Ranieri – Google AR and Dinorah Delfin – Immortalists Magazine.
Greg Courson
Associate Director of Human Resources
Greg joined LRI in 2022 managing Human Resources functions for the organization. He brings a background of success in leading HR teams and operations across multiple industries including technology, healthcare, and financial services. Previously supporting multi-state and global organizations, he enjoys the opportunity to support a diverse workforce. Greg completed his MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Evansville, Hampden and is an active SHRM member.
Dr. Amutha Boominathan
Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator, Boominathan Lab
Dr. Amutha Boominathan is head of the Boominathan Lab at Lifespan Research Institute. She joined LRI in 2013 as a Senior Research Scientist and became the Group Lead for the MitoREPAIR program in 2016. She completed her graduate studies at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India with a PhD in Biochemistry. Subsequently, through an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellowship, she obtained further training at the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University where she studied mitochondrial biogenesis with a focus on protein import and the fusion and fission mechanisms in the organelle. She has over 20 years of experience in mitochondrial biology.
Dr. Amit Sharma
Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator, Sharma Lab
Dr. Amit Sharma, head of the Sharma Lab at LRI, was awarded a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Delhi University, India. He received his PhD in 2009 in Biotechnology from University of Pune for his work demonstrating microRNA regulation of cytokines involved in allergic inflammation in mice models. Dr. Sharma’s postdoctoral research at the Buck Institute, Novato, California involved investigating novel molecular regulatory pathways in regards to genotoxic stress and cellular senescence in invertebrate and mammalian models.
Dr. Sharma joined Lifespan Research Institute as Group Lead in the Senescence Immunology Research Group. His research focus involves studying how aging and senescence affects the immune system and his research group will also investigate strategies to harness the immune system in mitigating deleterious effects of senescent cells with translational focus.
Katrina Anderson
Accounts Payable Clerk
Katrina earned her B.S. in biology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She joined LRI at the start of 2022, after time spent working in quality control in the pharmaceutical industry.
Jonathan Ayache
Research Technician – Boominathan Lab
Jonathan received his B.S. in Bioengineering from Santa Clara University in 2023 with a focus on Biomolecular studies. During his senior year, he took on a senior design project validating a new drug delivery platform using extracellular vesicles as scavengers to remove protein aggregates in the brain. As a part of the Boominathan Lab, he wishes to develop his skillset and learn more about the field of gene therapy and how it can be used to help people live healthier lives.
Anna Barkovskaya
Staff Scientist I
Anna has completed her masters and Ph.D. in molecular biology at the Institute for Cancer Research in Oslo, Norway. This inspired her to pursue studies in the field of microenvironment and treatment resistance in cancer. With that goal, she joined UCSF as a postdoctoral fellow in 2019 to study mechanosignaling and matrix remodeling in aggressive brain tumors. This experience has led her to appreciate the potent role of systemic tissue changes that enable and promote cancer growth, aging – chief among them. Anna is excited to apply her knowledge from the cancer field to dissect and exploit molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence as a member of the Sharma Lab at LRI.
Jessica Blair
Executive Assistant
A graduate of Florida State University, Jessica comes to us from the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, CA. She has years of experience in nonprofits, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from eCornell. Her passion for social justice is matched by her desire to combat diseases that afflict the aging population. Having witnessed the effects of Parkinson’s disease on a close family member, she is committed to supporting LRI’s mission to fund and research regenerative medicine. Jessica hopes to see future generations avoid these degenerative diseases.
Anne Corwin
Facilities Manager
Anne Corwin is the Facilities Manager at Lifespan Research Institute. She joined LRI full-time in 2011, primarily to repair, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment as well as provide editorial, messaging, and graphics support. Her current responsibilities still include equipment maintenance, however, she now also manages building utilities, safety training, and hazardous materials. Prior to joining LRI, Anne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and worked in the aerospace industry for several years as an EE.
Bhavna Dixit
Senior Research Associate
Bhavna Dixit earned her Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University, India in 2012. As a Research Scholar at the National Research Center in Plant Biotechnology, India, she worked on gene silencing and transcriptional analysis of pathogenicity genes in wheat leaf rust fungus. She moved to California in 2015 and completed a Professional Certificate Program in Biotechnology in March 2016 from UCSC Extension, Silicon Valley. After working as a volunteer with LRI for 6 months, she became a MitoREPAIR researcher and is working on the allotopic expression of mitochondrial genes.
Esmeralda Jimenez
Animal Lab Technician
Esmeralda received her B.S. in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona in 2018. She has a strong passion for animal care and has volunteered in various wildlife centers over the years. She joined LRI in 2022 to contribute to the research goal of finding viable treatments for age-related diseases. She hopes to implement her knowledge and experience to provide optimal care for the lab animals at LRI.
Dr. Kathlene Joyce
Staff Scientist I
Kathlene Joyce (Kate) finished her Ph.D. in Genetics and Neuroscience at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022. During that time she collaborated with researchers both at UAB and at Southern Research, a research institute, to understand the mechanisms of transcription factors related to mitochondrial and neuronal programs in order to generate leads for neurodegenerative therapies. This involved RNA-seq, proximity-tagging and mass spec, and follow up on interactors in mouse models. Working at LRI is the next step in a career to find ways to improve people’s lives.
Jessica Lubke
Senior Administrative Assistant
Jessica received her B.A. in Human Communications with an emphasis in Film and Literary Studies from CSU Monterey Bay. Jessica joined the team in 2018 and is excited to be a part of the mission to extend healthy human life.
Dr. Elena Magay
Lab Manager
Elena obtained her PhD in microbiology from Institute of Microbiology, Uzbekistan. Her initial research interest was to study entomopathogenic bacteria Bac.thuringiensis and develop bio-insecticide technology. However, her scientific curiosity was far beyond that, and it brought her to the protein crystallography. She spent several years developing technologies of growing protein molecules in light and heavy waters for the experiments in both neutron diffractometers: Bio-C, HANARO, S.Korea and BIX-4, JAEA, Japan. She completed her postdoctoral trainings at KRIBB and KAERI, South Korea.
Gabriel Meca-Laguna
Research Associate I
Gabriel has a BSc in Biotechnology and is finishing an MSc in Molecular Precision Medicine. He has experience working in multidisciplinary international teams in industry and academia. In the past, Gabriel worked synthesizing breast cancer drugs and also testing interventions in glioblastoma. He then shifted to aging by studying the epitranscriptome of senescent cells. His main interests are age-related health decline, cell heterogeneity, and immune-based approaches to leverage the body’s cells to cure.
Leonardo Rodriguez
Education Admissions and Recruitment Manager
Shortly after completing his undergraduate and graduate coursework, Leo earned the opportunity to continue his scientific career at LRI in 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of California, Riverside. There, he conducted research in an ecology laboratory studying the effects of effluent water flow on California’s endangered species.
Leo earned his Master of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in physiology and behavioral biology at San Francisco State University. His thesis work focused on how high ambient daytime temperatures influence behavior and torpor in Anna’s hummingbirds.
He is eager to empower and positively influence the next generation of scientists here at LRI in his multi-faceted role as an Education Admissions and Recruitment Manager.
Apoorva Shankar
Research Associate I
Apoorva received her M.S. in Biotechnology from San Jose State University in 2020. She has been working in the industry since with a major focus on age-related diseases and stem cell research. As part of the LRI research team, she wants to better understand the mechanisms of aging and cellular senescence. She is excited to be part of Lifespan Research Institute and is looking to apply her knowledge and skills to improve human health and lifespan.
Sam Weisiger
IT Technician
Sam is currently pursuing a B.A. in Networking and Digital Systems from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He previously worked during the Summer of 2019 as an IT Technician Intern and is pleased to be rejoining the LRI team as the in-office IT Technician.
Michael Rae
Science Writer
Michael Rae is the author of seven scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as four book chapters in academic volumes. He is a member of LRI’s Research Development Committee and performs internal scientific reviews and analyses. He is a long-time member and one-time Board Member of the Calorie Restriction Society and its Vice President for Research from 2014.
Dr. Anna Drangowska-Way
Journalist
Anna graduated from the University of Virginia, where she studied genetics in a tiny worm called C. elegans. During graduate school, she became interested in science communication and joined the Genetics Society of America’s Early Career Scientist Leadership Program, where she was a member of the Communication and Outreach Subcommittee. After graduation, she worked as a freelance science writer and communications specialist mainly with non-profit organizations.
Arkadi Mazin
Journalist
Arkadi Mazin is a seasoned journalist and op-ed author with a passion for learning and exploration. His interests span from politics to science and philosophy. Having studied economics and international relations, he is particularly interested in the social aspects of longevity and life extension.
Stephen Rose
Journalist
Stephen Rose, Ph.D. Chris is one of the writers at Lifespan.io. His interest in regenerative medicine and aging emerged as his personal training client base grew older and their training priorities shifted. He started his masters work in Bioengineering at Harvard University in 2013 and completed his PhD at SUNY Albany University in Albany, NY in 2024. His dissertation is focused on the role of the senescent cell burden in the development of fibrotic disease.
Gary Alan
Creative & Web Lead
Gary is a creative director with over two decades of experience in design, branding, interactive development, content creation, and video production. His professional passion is empowering disruptive technologies with creativity, and he’s been working with LRI since 2012. Gary received a BS in Finance from the University of Florida in 1993 and graduated from Miami Ad School’s Art Direction program in 1998. Gary is also a licensed pilot.
