Pinchas Cohen, dean of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, has been named a Distinguished Professor, an honor that is granted to a select group of USC academics each year.

“These faculty have brought great distinction to our university through their work, which enlightens collective understandings and contributes to the advancement of society,” interim Provost Elizabeth Graddy said. “President [Carol L.] Folt and I congratulate these extraordinary faculty on this well-deserved recognition.”

The university selectively awards the Distinguished Professor title to those whose accomplishments have brought special renown to USC. An internationally recognized expert on healthy aging and longevity, Cohen has been the dean of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology since 2012.

A pioneer in the field of mitochondrial microproteins — which are newly discovered therapeutic targets for diseases of aging — Cohen held faculty positions at the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA, where he led the Diabetes Research Center. He has received numerous awards, including the National Institute of Aging EUREKA Award, the NIH Director Transformative Research Award grant, the Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging and the American Federation for Aging Research Irving S. Wright Award of Distinction.

Throughout his career, Cohen has published more than 350 papers in top scientific journals focusing on aging, dementia, cancer, diabetes and the emerging science of microproteins. As a dean at USC, Cohen is driving several new initiatives, ranging from technology and innovation for longevity to precision aging, alternative approaches to mental health in aging and the establishment of a Southern California Aging Research Consortium.