Notre Dame Hosts Thomas H. Quinn Speaker Series Featuring Dr. Ron DePinho on Reversing Aging

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame is pleased to announce that the Thomas H. Quinn Speaker Series will feature Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., a physician-scientist, serial entrepreneur and past president of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Conquering the Ultimate Disease Instigator: Reversing the Aging Process” will take place 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Friday, October 3, in the Mendoza College of Business’ Jordan Auditorium. 

The event is open to all Notre Dame students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. No registration or tickets required; seating is limited. 

DePinho will share fresh insights into the science of aging, how aging contributes to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, and the potential of emerging research to extend the human healthspan. 

He has contributed foundational research tying telomere dysfunction and aging to cancer and degenerative disease, and led initiatives such as the Cancer Moon Shots Program to accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into clinical outcomes. 

Before his leadership at MD Anderson (2011–2017), he held key roles at Harvard Medical School; the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science, where he was founding director; and at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Among his recognitions are his election to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. He has also been active in biotech entrepreneurship, leveraging scientific discovery for public benefit. He calls on continued innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and courageous public policy to enable translational breakthroughs that can reshape human health. 

The Thomas H. Quinn Speaker Series is an annual event to honor Thomas H. Quinn ’69, a former member and chair of Mendoza’s Business Advisory Council. Quinn earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Notre Dame and was a football monogram recipient and member of the Fighting Irish’s 1966 national championship team.

In his professional career, Quinn served as managing partner and member of the investment and management committees of The Jordan Company, and was president and COO of Jordan Industries, Inc. 

He passed away on April 29, 2016, at age 68. The speaker series is generously sponsored by Notre Dame alumnus and trustee John W. “Jay” Jordan II, who was Quinn’s college roommate, lifelong friend, and business partner. 

Jordan’s commitment helps ensure that Notre Dame students and the Notre Dame community have access to influential voices addressing forward-looking issues.