Gregory A. Petsko is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, a founding member of Mass General Brigham—one of the world’s leading academic healthcare systems, connecting prestigious academic medical centers and specialty hospitals to acute-care community hospitals and home care programs across Massachusetts, United States. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University. 

A distinguished scientist, Dr. Petsko has been elected to four of the most prestigious scientific academies in the United States: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. His research is dedicated to developing new treatments for age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.   

Beyond academia, Dr. Petsko is a biotech entrepreneur, having co-founded several companies, including ArQule (acquired by Merck), Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IRWD), Aevum Therapeutics, and Retromer Therapeutics—the latter two focusing on innovative therapies for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. He also serves on the advisory boards of MeiraGTx, Retromer Therapeutics, and Annovis Bio.

Dr. Petsko is a highly sought-after speaker. His TED Talks on brain health have reached millions worldwide, sparking conversations on the future of neurodegenerative disease research. Through his lectures, writings, and public engagements, he continues to influence global discourse on aging, neuroscience, and innovation in healthcare.

In recognition of his contribution to science, Dr. Petsko was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden on October 24, 2023. Established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, this is the highest scientific honor bestowed by the United States government.