World's First I Established 2026

PhD in Medicine
Longevity Sciences

The first doctoral program in the world
dedicated to the science of human longevity
GCLS Geneva College of
Longevity Science
Ovidius University of
Constanța
4
YEARS
240
ECTS CREDITS
€8,500
PER YEAR
2026
FIRST INTAKE
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Doctor of Medicine
Specialization: Longevity Sciences
Degree
Doctor in Medicine, Specialization: Longevity Sciences (research doctorate — not a physician qualification)
Awarding Institution
Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania (IOSUD)
International Partner
Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS), Switzerland
PhD Program Director (GCLS)
Prof. Luiza Spiru, MD, PhD
Partnership Agreement
No. 2752 / 13.03.2026
A HISTORIC MILESTONE IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

The World has No PhD in Longevity Sciences.
Until Now.

This doctoral program emerges at the convergence of three global forces: the exponential growth of aging biology, the digital-health revolution enabling precision prevention, and the demographic imperative of aging societies. It is the first in the world to award a medical doctorate with formal specialization in Longevity Sciences.

WHY THIS PROGRAM

Training the Next Generation

of Longevity Physician-Scientists

Graduates will bridge the translational gap between molecular aging science and clinical practice — designing prevention programs, leading omics research, deploying AI diagnostics, and shaping longevity medicine policy.

World's First

No other PhD program globally combines a medical doctorate with formal specialization in Longevity Sciences. You will be among the first cohort of physician-scientists trained in this field.

Dual-Institution Excellence

Primary supervision by Ovidius University's 36 accredited PhD supervisors across all medical specialties, co-supervised by GCLS Geneva — the global leader in longevity medicine education.

GCLS Framework

Embedded GCLS Longevity Science curriculum in Year 1 — covering aging biology hallmarks, biomarkers, longevity pathways, epidemiology and ethical challenges.

Scientific Rigor

Minimum 3 peer-reviewed publications required (Web of Science Core Collection; Article or Review type; at least 2 of type Article). Graduates are publication-ready researchers.

International Network

Access to the GCLS academic ecosystem — international conferences, faculty network, thesis committees and research collaboration opportunities across Europe.

Ana Aslan Legacy

Rooted in Romania's pioneering gerontological heritage — Dr. Ana Aslan's work — now elevated to the frontiers of 21st-century longevity science and medicine.

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

Four Years. 240 ECTS.

Two Phases.

Year 1 is mandatory on-site at Ovidius University, Constanța — building the scientific and methodological foundations. Years 2–4 are dedicated entirely to independent doctoral research, publications, and thesis defense.

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Year 1
ON-SITE

Advanced Training Phase — Mandatory On-Site, Constanța

Five mandatory courses (SDM 1.1–2.2) plus the GCLS elective course (SDM-GCLS-01: Foundations of Aging Biology & Longevity Science). Full academic year at Ovidius University.

GCLS Course
SDM-GCLS-01
Advanced Anatomy & Pathology
Research
Methodology
Biostatistics
Academic Ethics
Scientific English
60
ECTS
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Year 2
RESEARCH

Scientific Research Phase I — Research Project & First Report

Scientific research project approved by supervisor and guidance committee. First research report presented. GCLS co-supervisor involvement from this year.

Research Project
30 ECTS
Research Report I
First Publications Target
GCLS Co-supervision
Academic Ethics
Scientific English
60
ECTS
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Year 3
RESEARCH

Scientific Research Phase II — Results & Publications

Second research report. Active data collection and analysis. Minimum publications requirement in progress. International conference participation recommended.

Research
 Report II
WoS Core Collection Publications
Conference Presentation
GCLS Network Access
60
ECTS
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Year 4
DEFENSE

Thesis Completion, Defense & Scientific Dissemination

Third research report. Thesis writing, external referee review, and public defense (Susținerea Tezei) at Ovidius University. Publication requirements fulfilled.

Public Thesis
Defense
Research
Report III
3 Publications
 (min.)
External Referee
60
ECTS
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Publication Requirements (OMEN 3018/2025)

To submit a thesis, candidates must publish as first author a minimum of 3 scientific articles containing results from the thesis content, in journals with an impact factor indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. The articles must be of type Article or Review. At least two of the articles must be of type Article. Recommended target journals: Nature Aging, Aging Cell, GeroScience, Biogerontology, Ageing Research Reviews, Journals of Gerontology.

THE GCLS SIGNATURE COURSE

Foundations of Aging Biology

and Longevity Science

Delivered by GCLS Geneva faculty, this course is the distinctive element that makes this PhD the world's first in Longevity Sciences. 56 hours — 28h lectures + 28h applied sessions — embedded in Year 1.

SDM-GCLS-01: Foundations of Aging Biology and Longevity Science

56 hours · 10 ECTS · Year 1 · English · Delivered by GCLS Geneva

M1 Introduction to Longevity Science

Aging as disease vs. biological process; lifespan vs. healthspan; translational gap from science to medicine

M2 Biology of Aging — Hallmarks Framework

Genomic instability; telomere attrition; epigenetic alterations; cellular senescence; inflammaging

M3 Longevity Pathways & Mechanisms

mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins, IGF-1; nutrient sensing; autophagy; hormesis

M4 Biomarkers & Measurement of Aging

Biological vs. chronological age; epigenetic clocks (GrimAge, DunedinPACE); functional biomarkers

M5 Epidemiology & Public Health of Aging

Global demographic transition; compression of morbidity; Blue Zones; healthcare system sustainability

M6 Conceptual Longevity Interventions

Nutrition; exercise physiology of aging; pharmacological approaches (metformin, rapamycin, senolytics)

M7 Ethical & Conceptual Challenges

Is aging a disease? Access and inequality; overmedicalization risk; regulatory landscape; research ethics with aging populations - delivered as a live on-site full-day seminar

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DELIVERY

Pre-recorded lectures + Live webinars + One on-site full day/semester

ASSESSMENT

Written exam (50%) · Research design presentation (30%) · Participation (20%)

"The shift from reactive healthcare to proactive longevity medicine is now a technological possibility, an ethical imperative, and ultimately a necessary economic transition."
Prof. Dominik Thor, MSc - President, Geneva College of Longevity Science

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

Faculty & Supervisory Structure

A dual-faculty model: primary supervision by Ovidius University's accredited doctoral faculty (majority), co-supervised by GCLS Geneva (minority). Every doctoral candidate is assigned both a primary supervisor and a GCLS co-supervisor.

PhD Program Director - GCLS Geneva

Prof. Luiza Spiru

MD, PhD

Professor of Gerontology, Geriatrics, Gerontopsychiatry and Longevity Medicine

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & Saint Luca's Hospital for Chronic Diseases, Bucharest
PhD Program Director & Faculty Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS)
Faculty — Geneva School of Business Administration, HES-SO/HESGE (hesge.ch)
President — Ana Aslan International Foundation | Excellence Memory Center for Brain Health & Longevity Medicine
EADC & EPMA National Representative
World EWA (European Women's Association) Ambassador
Stress Congress Chair (stresscongress.org)Author — First Romanian Treatise of Longevity Medicine (Romanian Academy, 2021)

GCLS President & Co-Faculty

Prof. Dominik Thor

MSc

President — Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS)

Professor of Pharmacy — GCLS Geneva
Creator — Board-Certified Longevity Physician® program

Primary Supervisory Faculty

Ovidius University

SDM — 36 Supervisors

36 accredited PhD supervisors — Scoala Doctorala de Medicina

Specialties: Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Genetics, Pulmonology, Immunology, Rehabilitation, Biostatistics & more

Director SDM: Prof. univ. dr. habil. Vlad Iustin Tica

ADMISSIONS

Who Should Apply?

Graduates holding a minimum of 300 ECTS in any discipline, with a research vision in aging biology, longevity medicine, neurosciences, preventive medicine, or any field relevant to longevity science — ready to produce original, internationally published scientific work.

Requirements

  • University degree (any field) — minimum 300 ECTS (Bologna Cycle 1+2 or equivalent)

  • English language proficiency: IELTS ≥ 6.5 / TOEFL ≥ 85 or equivalent

  • Letter of motivation and preliminary research proposal (1,500–2,000 words)

  • Two letters of recommendation (minimum one academic)

  • Acceptance by an Ovidius University accredited PhD supervisor

  • Endorsement by GCLS PhD Director

  • Joint admission interview — Ovidius University × GCLS Geneva

Program Fees

Annual tuition fee

€ 8,500

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Duration

4 years

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Total program fee

€ 34,000


Fee agreed with Ovidius University. Includes doctoral school administration, primary supervision, and GCLS co-supervision as per Partnership Agreement No. 2752/13.03.2026. Additional research costs (lab access, open-access publishing, conference travel) are subject to individual research budget.

Admission Period

Admission takes place in September, in accordance with the approved Ovidius University calendar. Applications through GCLS are reviewed on a rolling basis — contact the PhD Program Director for pre-screening.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Ready to Pioneer

Longevity Sciences?

Contact the GCLS PhD Program Director directly for a pre-screening conversation, or submit your application through the Ovidius University doctoral school admission process.