Dr. Juan Manuel Vazquez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State University. His research explores the evolution of aging and longevity-associated traits across mammals to discover new paths to curing aging-related diseases. Dr. Vazquez has pioneered systems for studying extreme lifespan in bats, using a “farm-to-table” approach combining field research, cell biology, and genomics to uncover the genetic and regulatory mechanisms underlying longevity and cancer resistance. His work has illuminated how gene duplication and genetic structural variation shape the evolution of lifespan in species such as elephants, whales, and bats, contributing broadly to our understanding of the biology of aging. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Vazquez is deeply committed to his efforts to advance true inclusion in STEM, mentoring students and organizing outreach in partnership with both local and national organizations; and to expanding his work towards improving conservation through genomics.