our story
We want to create a world where people live longer, healthier lives. As we grow older, the likelihood we experience debilitating age-related disease increases as well, but we have the power and tools to intervene.
Our goal is to inspire the next generations of leaders who believe that science can help us better understand and extend healthy, human lifespan. The Time Initiative addresses one of the major bottlenecks in the field -- a shortage of talent to be the next generation of leaders. Join us and be a part of the movement to change the way we age!
Our Motivation
The world’s population is aging rapidly, and age is the greatest risk factor for nearly every chronic disease. Over a billion people worldwide suffer from age-related disease and that number is growing steadily. This demographic shift has significant public health and economic implications. In the U.S. two-thirds of adults over the age of 65 have two or more chronic conditions. The geroscience promise hinges on the idea that by increasing our understanding of how the aging processes contributes to disease, we can apply that knowledge to slow the progression of age-related diseases and disabilities.
Aging research is a field born of novel thinking, fresh ideas, and new perspectives. The field of aging biology is currently in a transformative period with many opportunities for scientific progress and discoveries, but progress relies on supporting exceptional talent early. We need to build the field. That’s where you come in.
Our Team
Courtney Hudson-Paz Founder and Program Director
Having recently completing her PhD in Biology of Aging at the Buck Institute in 2022, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge of the field and a strong network in the scientific community. Throughout her career, she has shared her enthusiasm for science through organizing outreach events for all ages and devoting time to mentor students and scientists at various levels including, teaching cutting-edge techniques in neurobiology at world renowned Marine Biological Laboratory. She is passionate about catalyzing students' interest in aging biology, fostering community, and connecting them to the resources they need to make a meaningful difference in the space.
Alex Colville Advisor
Alex joined Laura Deming to build the next evolution of Longevity Fund, called age1, as General Partner. Previously he was Chief of Staff of Amaranth where he built out the longevity focus of the family office. Alex completed his PhD at Stanford University in Tom Rando's lab studying the biology of aging after having worked in Boston in management consulting at Putnam Associates, a boutique life sciences firm.
Laura Deming Advisor
Laura’s work focuses on human life extension and using biological research to reduce the effects of aging. Laura took graduate coursework at UCSF before going to MIT to study physics, which she eventually dropped out of to become a Thiel Fellow. She’s worked in the Kenyon, Guarente, Weiss and Firestein labs on a number of topics, including aging and synthetic biology. Laura founded the Longevity Fund, the first VC firm dedicated to funding high-potential longevity companies, which raised $26M and backed Unity Biotechnology, Precision Biosciences, Metacrine, Navitor, and Alexo Therapeutics.
Odette van der Willik AFAR Deputy Executive Director
Odette van der Willik is the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Grant Programs at the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) where she develops and oversees the organizations’ series of grant programs, including the support of early and mid-career scientists, physicians, and medical students in the fields of aging research and geriatric medicine. She oversees the administrative and scientific grant reviews and grant award administration and serves as the Project Director for the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center and the Resource Centers Collaborative Network. She is also one of the Multiple PIs of the Clin-STAR Coordinating Center.
Bri McCoy Program Consultant
Bri McCoy, as a later-stage MCB PhD student at ASU studying the biology of aging and a current researcher at The Dog Aging Project, brings strong passion for mentoring and activating overlooked talent from diverse backgrounds. She previously researched basic mechanisms of aging including epigenetics and DNA damage at Harvard University as well as researched musculoskeletal aging at the National Institutes of Health. She also brings significant venture capital experience through fellowships at Apollo Health Ventures and Portal Innovations to be able to coach undergrads through differences between industry and academia.
The Time Initiative is grateful for the generosity and leadership of our funders and partners.
Our Sponsors & Partners
The Academy for Health & Lifespan Research
The Academy for Health & Lifespan Research is a dynamic non-profit organization that plays a pivotal role in the aging ecosystem. As a hub of established researchers and scientists, the Academy is dedicated to empowering scientific endeavors in developing treatments and drugs for aging-related conditions. By acting as a catalyst and idea incubator, it accelerates groundbreaking research in laboratories worldwide, ensuring longevity initiatives receive the attention and funding they merit. The Academy fosters collaboration among top scientists, academic institutions, and drug companies, aiming to make longevity research breakthroughs accessible to all. It targets aging as the root cause of age-related disorders, supporting research for a longer, healthier life, advocating for aging as a treatable condition, and engaging the public and upcoming scientists in the field of aging.
James Fickel Funder
Mr. Fickel is the founder of Amaranth, a company that assembles a group of luminaries in longevity biotech to source and evaluate grant proposals covering the aggregome, brain aging, computational genomics, and immune system replacement. He has also staffed 6 consultants to push forward projects in the longevity field, including road mapping, bottleneck compilation, outreach, and technical due diligence. He joined the AFAR Board of Directors in 2023. Through the Fickel Family Foundation, he has helped launch and support two new strategic initiatives for AFAR: the SuperAgers Family Initiative, Amplifying Geroscience Initiative, and the Time Initiative.
The Time Initiative was launched in 2023 under the guidance of the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), whose mission is to advance and support healthy aging through biomedical research. The Time Initiative is grateful for AFAR’s early and important advisement and management. Learn more about AFAR’s programs at www.afar.org.
