Are aging and dying truly scientifically predestined? Could there be a cure? 

Scientific Controversies: Is Aging a Disease

 brought Professor David Sinclair and Professor Ali Brivanlou together to reflect on the fundamental biological forces that catalyze how we age. We learned from Ali that he can reverse old cells back into a state of pure potential, and from David that there is no aging gene. The scientific discussion was mesmerizing. We tried a rapid-fire round of 

, where the guests were encouraged to shout 

 in response to various faddish health and nutrition recommendations. At one point Ali called “Bullshit” on the entire round, admonishing us to “ask the butterfly that lives for one day. It’s a beautiful life.”

We suspect you might be as curious about their quotidian routines as we are, so we asked David and Ali to send lists of their daily rituals. We offer here their contrasting protocols for your perusal. You choose: live longer, or better. Or both.


Wake up and continue intermittent fasting

Catch up on emails/texts/latest scientific articles while drinking matcha tea (rich in polyphenols and EGCG)

Take supplements: NMN, resveratrol, apigenin, fisetin, AC11, vitamin K2/D3, B vitamins, spermidine, a capful of unfiltered apple cider vinegar

Eat a light salad or soup with a green tea

Indulge in a bit of dark chocolate, or one Brazil nut and a few walnuts

Go to the gym for weight training, aerobic exercise, and sauna

Vegan dinner with some homegrown fruits and vegetables

Take berberine or metformin, brain and eye supplements, and epigenetic modulators

Catch up on emails, meetings for the following day, and read more articles 

Take cholesterol meds, omega fatty acids, CoQ10, probiotics, anti-inflammatories

Apply face serum, take L-theanine, Magnesium, GABA, and melatonin before bed

6:45 AM — Wake up and continue intermittent fasting
6:50 AM — Meditate 
7:05 AM — Teeth pulling with coconut oil
7:10 AM — Drink hot water with lemon juice
7:15 AM — Catch up on emails/texts/latest scientific articles while drinking matcha tea (rich in polyphenols and EGCG)
7:45 AM — Steam, shower, and red light therapy
8:00 AM — Walk outside or run on the treadmill 
8:45 AM — Take supplements: NMN, resveratrol, apigenin, fisetin, AC11, vitamin K2/D3, B vitamins, spermidine, a capful of unfiltered apple cider vinegar
8:50 AM — Head to the lab at Harvard
2:30 PM — Eat a light salad or soup with a green tea
4:00 PM — Indulge in a bit of dark chocolate, or one Brazil nut and a few walnuts
5:45 PM — Leave Harvard
6:00 PM — Go to the gym for weight training, aerobic exercise, and sauna 
7:30 PM — Return home
8:00 PM — Vegan dinner with some homegrown fruits and vegetables
8:30 PM — Take berberine or metformin, brain and eye supplements, and epigenetic modulators
8:35 PM — Catch up on emails, meetings for the following day, and read more articles 
9:00 PM — Write and record my podcast
10:00 PM — Take cholesterol meds, omega fatty acids, CoQ10, probiotics, anti-inflammatories
10:30 PM — Steam shower
10:45 PM — Apply face serum, take L-theanine, magnesium, GABA, and melatonin before bed

David Sinclair

Read sonnets and try to commit some passages to memory

Enjoy a freshly squeezed juice (carrot / green apple / celery / ginger / cucumber / beet)

Head to the lab at Rockefeller University. Take the long way through the gardens

Check on experiments, peruse data, and check any updates on grants

Induce self-organizing human embryos and brain models

Invite team to the Faculty Club to enjoy “Ali’s Special” cocktails on campus

Walk home, take in the city’s sights, sounds, and smells 

Prepare a dinner of boneless lamb shoulder, Persian rice, and pomegranate sauce

Dine and converse with hosted guests of the evening

Read/write/muse with a glass of Glenmorangie, neat

Tend to my garden while listening to music

Ali Brivanlou

Are decaying, aging, and dying truly scientifically predestined? And could there be a cure? With advances in biology and genetics, could scientists pause, or even reverse, the process? Would a cure for aging indefinitely stave off death? And what would the implications be for 8 billion people on this planet if we cease to die? To learn more, PW Director of Sciences Janna Levin hosted two brilliant biologists in conversation: Professor David Sinclair of Harvard—a researcher committed to aging in reverse—and Professor Ali Brivanlou of Rockefeller University—an explorer of human embryonic stem cells, and impassioned defender of whiskey, cigarettes, and meat. ♦

brings together two scientists in conversation to explore unsolved quandaries. The focus is on ideas and the unknown, the precipice between where we are now and where we imagine the future will bring us.

Are decaying, aging, and dying truly scientifically predestined? And could there be a cure? To learn more, PW Director of Sciences Janna Levin hosted two brilliant biologists in conversation: Prof. David Sinclair of Harvard and Prof. Ali Brivanlou of Rockefeller University. 

Is Aging a Disease?

A Good Time, or a Long Time?

Nominated for a National Magazine Award, our second print issue features Hilton Als on Prince's Eyes, How Adderall Changed America, Sex with Neanderthals, New Fiction by Isle McElroy, Ordering Elements, and more.

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PW Closure 10/25-10/26

Pioneer Works's galleries and garden are closed to the public on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th for the United Sounds NYC Festival 2024. 

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Own the Archive Sale

This week only, we’re heavily discounting our #PWPress publications to make way for new projects. Find artist-created books for $5, $10, & $15—sales raised from the PW Store are reinvested into funding new, ambitious projects by emerging and underrepresented artists and writers.

Gift Guide

From November 28 through December 14, take 20% off products in the Gift Guide with code: ULTRAFESTIVE. 

Ragas 

Pioneer Works will be closed for normal gallery hours this October 14 & 15 for Ragas Live Festival 2023, learn more 

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Please note, Pioneer Works will be closed for daily admissions until July 7th. We 

open for ticketed programs, view our calendar 

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Celebrate 10 years of Pioneer Works by shopping the PW Press Archive Sale! Through October 31, take 10% off Pioneer Works Press items with code 

Flash Flood Closures

Building Closures Due to Flash Floods

Due to weather conditions, Pioneer Works is suspending open gallery hours for Friday, September 29. MHYSA's performance has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 1, with all tickets being transferred to the new date.

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Shop the PW Store Spring Sale!

 for the entire month of April and receive an automatic 20% off books, records, apparel, and more. Members save 35%—learn more about membership 

Aura Closure 5/27

Please note:

 will close early at 5pm on Saturday, May 27. Learn more and plan your visit 

CEO Announcement

Just Announced: Pioneer Works Names Mara Manus Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of Pioneer Works is pleased to announce that Mara Manus, former Executive Director for New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), has been appointed as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. 

We are grateful for your engagement and support of Pioneer Works over the last year. Now through December 31st, we’re fundraising to meet our end of year goal and close out 2024.

85% of our programming is free or accessibly-priced and we rely on our community of supporters to make that possible. Give now to ensure that we can continue nurturing artists and audiences through 2025.


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Let Pioneer Works come to you                                    

Our galleries and garden are closed to the public today for a United Sounds NYC Festival 2024. Learn more about the festival 

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We’re making Pioneer Works accessible to all! While our building is temporarily closed until this September, we are continuing to host offsite programming. See upcoming programs 

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Aura Closure 6/3

 will close early at 5pm on Saturday, June 3. Learn more and plan your visit 

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We're pleased to announce the first major renovation of Pioneer Works! To accommodate the first phase of our construction, we're temporarily relocating to 133 Imlay Street opening in Spring 2022.

Early Closure 5/10/23

Due to programming, Pioneer Works will be closed to the public on Wednesday, May 10. We will be open from Thursday through Sunday for the remainder of the week. Learn more and plan your visit 

Winter Break Closure

Pioneer Works will be closed between December 16, 2024–January 24, 2025 for a winter break.