Study Supported by CSDE Research Scientist Matt Dunbar Featured on 60 Minutes

Posted: 4/2/2026 (CSDE Research)

The Dog Aging Project, whose Data and Analysis Core is headed up by CSDE Research Scientist Matthew D. Dunbar, PhD, was recently spotlighted on the CBS news program 60 Minutes: “Research to help dogs live longer, healthier lives could unlock secrets for people to age better, too”

Why study aging in dogs? Companion dogs share genetic diversity, environmental exposures, and cognitive traits with humans. Dogs vary tremendously not only in size, shape, and behavior, but also in life expectancy and age-related risk of disease. They share our disease burden as well as our environment, and have a sophisticated health care system to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Given their relatively short lifespan, we can learn from an observational study of dogs what would take decades in humans.

Dr. Dunbar, in his role as the Data Core Director for the Dog Aging Project, helped build the operational infrastructure for the Dog Aging Project to support this diverse national cohort of over 50,000 companion dogs for an in-depth, longitudinal analysis of aging and cognitive health over their lifespan. A complex and well-maintained research platform was critical to facilitate enrollment, retention, ongoing participant surveys, and collection of biospecimens. Dr. Dunbar has decades of experience designing primary data collection systems, managing field data campaigns, and he currently oversees CSDE’s own REDCap instance supporting population researchers.

To arrange a consultation appointment with Matt Dunbar or any of CSDE’s scientific support staff, please use the CSDE Science Core Consultation Request form.