Gerald Shadel

Gerald Shadel is a Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he leads the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory and holds the Audrey Geisel Chair in Biomedical Science. He co-directs the Salk Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research.

• BS in Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• PhD from Texas A&M University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University

Shadel’s research focuses on mitochondrial biology, aging, and immunity. His work explores how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases like ataxia-telangiectasia and Alzheimer’s, cancer, and metabolic disorders. He investigates mitochondrial stress signaling, mtDNA release, and their roles in innate immune activation.

His lab employs multidisciplinary approaches, including yeast and mouse models, cultured cells, and biochemical techniques. Discoveries include mtDNA triggering immune responses and mitochondrial ROS extending lifespan in yeast.

Scientific Awards:

• The Glenn Foundation’s Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging (2011)
• Amgen Outstanding Investigator Award (2007)
• The Glenn/AFAR Breakthroughs In Gerontology Award (2006)

Shadel advises graduate students like Matt Donnelly and Melissa Johnson and collaborates with labs like the Metallo Lab. His work has been featured in Nature Reviews Immunology and other journals. The Shadel Lab is part of the Shock Center, a collaboration with UC San Diego and Sanford Burnham Prebys, leveraging the Rancho Bernardo Study for aging research.