Dr. Heidi Tissenbaum is a Professor of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology at UMass Chan Medical School whose research focuses on understanding the fundamental biology of aging. Using model organisms such as C. elegans, her work investigates how genetic pathways, metabolism, stress responses, and environmental factors influence both lifespan and healthspan, with the goal of uncovering why organisms age and how age-related decline occurs. She is particularly interested in how diet and cellular signaling pathways contribute to susceptibility to diseases associated with aging. Through her laboratory leadership, mentoring, and contributions to the field, she plays a significant role in advancing scientific knowledge on how to promote healthier aging.