Home: Tampa, FL. Age: Fifty-something. Profession: Researcher and teacher of neuroscience, physiology, and nutrition. Organization: University of South Florida; Morsani College of Medicine. Title: Associate Professor. Significant other: Csilla Ari D’Agostino, my wife. Alma mater: Rutgers University.
Current project: Researching the science and applications of metabolic-based therapies. Recent recognition: Podcast guest (Tim Ferriss, Peter Attia, Joe Rogan). Recent professional development: Member of the Metabolic Health Coalition. Latest accomplishment: Peer-reviewed publications to support the science and application of therapeutic ketosis and metabolic-based therapies. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Participating as a crew member and researcher on NASA’s NEEMO missions. Hobbies: Scuba, traveling, history, motorcycles, weight training. Recent travel or adventure: Exploring the Greek Islands.
Personality profile: Curious, introverted, thrill-seeking. What is your greatest joy? Pursuing my passion and serving others at the same time. What is your greatest fear? Falling short of my own expectations. What is your guilty pleasure? Binging on space history documentaries. What natural talent have you neglected? Hunting. What is at the top of your bucket list? Scuba diving in Fiji. How do you relieve stress? Allocating creative downtime to be in nature. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Spending alone time with my wife and our two dogs.
What was your first paying job? Bailing hay on a farm. What was your favorite college course? Neuroscience. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Building radio-controlled cars. What book have you repeatedly read? Screwtape Letters. What movie have you repeatedly watched? It’s a Wonderful Life. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Timeline showing launches of the Apollo mission. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife. She keeps me on my toes and make me a better person.
What is your big idea?
Developing and testing new ketone technologies.
What change would you like to see in the world? Changes that improve metabolic health and prevent age-related chronic diseases. What message do you want to send out into the world? Know your purpose and begin each day with the end in mind.
What mega-trend most excites you? The use of AI to improve personalized precision care medicine. What mega-trend most concerns you? Young people addicted to social media.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Advancing One Failure at a Time. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? C.S. Lewis. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My book collection. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my wife and our dogs on the beach. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t sweat the small stuff. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Hiking to Green Sand Beach in Hawaii and proposing to my wife. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? Teenage years.
Personal mission: To develop, test, and translate metabolic therapies for complex diseases such as neurological disorders and cancer. Desired epitaph: Faithful servant .
