Fasting Mimicking Diets Is Topic for USU Chemistry and Biochemistry's April 24 Hansen Seminar

What does it take to live a long and healthy life? Can a mostly plant-based diet with limited fasting ensure better health in one’s later years?

University of Southern California biochemist Valter Longo explores these questions, along with questions about the fundamental mechanisms of aging. He presents “Fasting Mimicking Diets: Longevity and Disease,” in a Wednesday, April 24 virtual seminar, as featured speaker for the 2024 R. Gaurth Hansen Seminar series.

Longo’s talk, hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, begins at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast via Zoom. All are welcome.

Longo is the Edna Jones Professor in Gerontology and a professor in biological science at USC, where he is also the director of the Longevity Institute at USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. He studies the fundamental mechanisms of aging in yeast, mice and humans using genetics and biochemistry techniques. His research is aimed at identifying molecular pathways that can be modulated to protect against multiple stresses, and treat or prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases of aging.

Longo is the author of several books, including the bestseller, The Longevity Diet: Slow Aging, Fight Disease, Optimize Weight. The recipient of numerous academic and professional awards, Longo was named by “Time Magazine” as one of the 50 most influential people in health care for his research on fasting-mimicking diets as a way to improve health and prevent disease.

Longo is the 15th annual Hansen Seminar speaker. The seminar series honors the late R. Gaurth Hansen (1920-2002), a Cache Valley native and USU scholar who joined the university’s faculty as an academic vice president in 1968 and was soon promoted to provost. Hansen’s efforts contributed to a 20-fold increase in the university’s research budget.

In addition to his administrative endeavors, the renowned biochemist published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals and received many prestigious national accolades. Hansen was named USU Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 1985 and retired from Utah State in 1994.

The Hansen Seminar Series is generously funded by USU alum Lars Peter Hansen '74, his wife, Grace Tsing, and their son, Peter Hansen.

For more information about the seminar and to obtain the Zoom link, contact USU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at 435-797-1619.