Mirre Simons

Dr. Mirre Simons is a Sir Henry Dale Senior Fellow at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield. She leads a research group focused on evolutionary and mechanistic aspects of aging, with emphasis on dietary restriction and mortality patterns. Her work bridges fundamental evolutionary questions with translational applications in aging research.

Dr. Simons received her PhD cum laude from the University of Groningen in 2013, following an MSc Research degree in 2008. Her academic journey includes a NERC-funded postdoctoral position at Sheffield (2013-2015), Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship (2015-2019), Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship (2015-2019), and currently the prestigious Sir Henry Dale Senior Fellowship (2019-2025).

Her research investigates the adaptive value of differences in aging between and within species. Key areas include:

• Demography of mortality and lifespan patterns
• Dietary restriction mechanisms and effects on aging
• Costs of reproduction and evolutionary trade-offs
• Biology of cancer and cellular senescence
• Telomere length dynamics

Dr. Simons' recent publications reveal a strong focus on using Drosophila to study dietary restriction mechanisms, combining evolutionary biology with molecular approaches. A notable trend is her investigation into how dietary interventions can rapidly reduce mortality risk (within 1-2 days), with potential translational applications for healthspan extension.

Her major scientific recognitions include:

• Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, Wellcome & Royal Society (2019-2025)
• Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship, Sheffield (2015-2019)
• Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship (2015-2019)

Dr. Simons actively mentors PhD students Sarah Gautrey, Alex Charles, and Katie Roome, as well as undergraduate and master's students. Her research is supported by prestigious fellowships from Wellcome, the Royal Society, and Sheffield. She teaches APS359 Topics in Modern Zoology and supervises various student projects.

Her laboratory investigates why and how all life deteriorates to cause death. The lab takes a holistic approach to aging, studying both evolutionary perspectives and molecular mechanisms. They focus particularly on diet-aging connections, with the notable finding that dietary protein reduction in flies rapidly reduces mortality risk 6-7 fold. The lab uses functional genetics with potential translational applications for healthspan extension.