Thomas Perls

Dr. Thomas Perls is a geriatrician and researcher specializing in the study of aging at Boston University School of Medicine. His expertise in epidemiology and genetics of aging, coupled with his focus on exceptional longevity, positions him as a notable figure in the field. As an associate professor in medicine, he provides care for older patients dealing with complex medical issues. Perls directs both the National Institute on Aging-funded New England Centenarian Study, the largest study of people aged 100 and beyond, and the Long Life Family Study at Boston University. These studies explore how centenarians and their offspring manage to live the majority of their lives free from disability, with age-related diseases occurring very late in life.

Perls is the author of "Living to 100: Lessons in Maximizing Your Potential at Any Age". He also developed the "Living to 100" life expectancy calculator, a tool that predicts life expectancy based on lifestyle choices and is used by thousands daily, including educational institutions to promote healthy living among youth. Perls has contributed to over 120 academic publications that focus on longevity and the prevention of age-related diseases, continually advancing our understanding of healthy aging.

His role extends beyond academia and clinical practice; Perls is an expert consultant to the Drug Enforcement Agency and the US Department of Justice, providing insights into anti-aging quackery. His media presence is robust, with appearances on "60 Minutes," "CBS Sunday Morning," "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "Oprah," and NPR, where he discusses his research and its implications for living a longer, healthier life. Dr. Perls was also instrumental in the Archon Genomics X Prize for decoding the genetic codes of centenarians, highlighting his pivotal role in marrying genetic research with practical health applications. His findings suggest that most individuals could achieve nearly 90 years of life in good health, potentially reshaping expectations and experiences of aging in modern society.