Areas of Specialty:

  • Growth hormone

  • Pace-of-life

  • Metabolic characteristics of longevity

Andrzej Bartke, PhD

Dr. Andrzej Bartke is Professor of Internal Medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where his research focuses on the genetic and hormonal regulation of aging. His lab was the first to show that a single gene mutation can extend lifespan in mammals.

He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Kansas in 1965 and held positions at the Institute for Cancer Research, Jagiellonian University, Worcester Foundation, and the University of Texas Health Science Center before joining SIU in 1984. A past president of multiple scientific societies, Dr. Bartke has published over 750 papers and received numerous honors, including the F.C. Koch Lifetime Achievement Award and continuous NIH funding for over 45 years.

Key discoveries from his work include:

  • Growth Hormone and Longevity – Demonstrating that reduced growth hormone signaling extends lifespan and delays age-related diseases.

  • Molecular Mechanisms of Aging – Identifying pathways involving insulin signaling and stress resistance that mediate these effects.

  • Developmental Programming – Showing that early-life hormonal environments can shape long-term health and aging.

His current research, including Hevolution-funded studies, explores early-life dietary interventions to improve healthspan. He collaborates with labs worldwide and continues to mentor researchers who have gone on to lead independent programs.