Stephen K. Kornfeld, MD, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis (WU)

My research is focused on two issues: animal aging and zinc biology. We use the model organism C. elegans to identify drugs and genes that influence longevity. We are particularly interested in the age-related degeneration of specific tissues, such as the female reproductive system. Zinc is an essential nutrient in animals, and we are investigating how animals maintain zinc homeostasis in the face of variable dietary levels.