Our lab is interested in decoding the genomic basis of extreme survival strategies and longevity using African killifish as the model system. Due to their harsh natural habitat, African killifish have evolved a state analogous to suspended animation called diapause and the shortest vertebrate lifespan in captivity. Together, diapause and the compressed life make killifish an ideal model to identify new mechanisms for long-term protection and to study vertebrate aging at a rapid and high-throughput scale. We aim to utilize unbiased, comparative, and multidisciplinary approaches by integrating computational genomics and experimental strategies to decode the complexity of gene regulation during diapause and aging in vertebrates and to leverage this knowledge to improve health.