At a time when many are slowing down, I am preparing for a challenge that blends adventure and science. In 2027, shortly before reaching 72, I plan to race solo across 3,000 nautical miles of the Atlantic in the legendary Mini Transat. This project is not just about crossing an ocean—it’s about pushing human potential, exploring the science of aging, and inspiring people of all ages to pursue bold dreams.
I am a career scientist with an interest in art and creative writing. As head of a laboratory at The Rockefeller University, I study epigenetics—the science of how the environment shapes our gene function. Part of my work deals with aging, where I am trying to understand the mechanisms of age-associated neurodegeneration. Alongside my research, I have a passion for art and writing, with my work exhibited internationally and published by Sternberg Press.
Sailing became a part of my life when me and my wife, Anne Schaefer, also a scientist and a leader in the field of aging, learned to sail on the Hudson River. What began as curiosity became a passion. Our family boat, Mara, is named after my late father—himself a dreamer of the sea. In 2023, our amateur crew, against all odds, won the Marion–Bermuda Race. Inspired, I decided to undertake professional training by the most amazing and exceptional British pro-sailor Nigel King to prepare for my ultimate adventure: the Mini Transat.
The Mini Transat is one of the world’s most demanding solo ocean races: 3,000 miles, one sailor, one tiny boat. For me, the journey begins as I am about to turn 70, training and qualifying through multiple solo offshore races. The ocean will test my skills, resilience, and determination—not just to finish, but to grow and learn along the way.
This race is about more than competition. It’s about the human spirit—proving to myself and others that adventure and discovery don’t have an age limit. It’s about honoring my father’s dream, inspiring my sons, and fulfilling a promise to live fully, and inspiring others through action. My mission is not just to test my limits. My deepest hope is that my nearly impossible attempt to complete the Mini Transat, despite all odds, will inspire people of my generation to live longer, healthier, and more productively. We are a generation that has lived through the challenges of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, inspired by ideas of progress and human dignity. I want us to bring optimism and hope to the world.
This adventure is also a scientific experiment at the frontiers of human endurance. My hypothesis: pushing our limits does not accelerate aging—it may even slow it. I will collect blood and data through every step: multi-year training, solo ocean races, and the Transat itself. By analyzing metabolic and epigenetic markers, we aim to create the first longitudinal dataset tracking how intense physical and psychological stress affects aging.
Multi-year sampling across training and races to map biological aging dynamics under repeated extreme stress.
Regular updates will share high-level findings, methods, and reflections with the public community.
Through the website, I will share stories, photos, science updates, and reflections. This is not only about racing, but also about inviting others on a journey toward a more adventurous, healthier future.
Would you like to support, sponsor, or follow the campaign? This project welcomes collaborators, sponsors, and a community of all ages.
Donate 50% of funds will go to aging & neurodegeneration charities and research.Get training updates, race news, and science insights.
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