The Ragon Institute is pleased to announce that Eric Sun, PhD, will join the institute’s faculty and establish the Sun Lab, dedicated to advancing computational science and deepening our understanding of the biology of aging. Sun will hold dual appointments as a Member of the Ragon Institute and an Assistant Professor in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering.

Originally from Pueblo, Colorado, Sun holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics, and a master’s degree in applied mathematics from Harvard University. During his tenure at Harvard, he contributed significantly to research in the applied mathematics lab, optimizing protocols for repairing aging systems, simulating aging in mechanical networks, and modeling fruit growth.

He completed his PhD in Biomedical Informatics at Stanford University in 2025 under the joint supervision of Anne Brunet and James Zou, where his research involved building computational methods for the analysis of spatial and single-cell omics and machine learning tools to track cellular aging in the brain. His achievements have earned him notable recognition, including selection as an Amgen Scholar, SENS Summer Scholar, John Harvard Scholar, and recipient of the prestigious PD Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

At the Ragon Institute, the Sun Lab will focus on creating cutting-edge computational and machine learning methods aimed at unraveling the complexities of aging, ultimately accelerating discoveries of new interventions for aging-related diseases. Sun will officially join the institute in January 2026 but will be regularly visiting the Institute in the meantime as he transitions to a full-time position.

We warmly welcome Dr. Sun to our community and look forward to the impactful research he will lead.