Authors

Alexei Turchin is a researcher focused on existential risks and a prominent figure in the Russian transhumanist movement, having been involved since 2007. His work explores the intersection of technology and philosophy, particularly concerning the potential for technological resurrection. In his presentation, “You Only Live Twice” shared at MTAConf 2019 (whose theme was “Redeeming Our Dead”), Turchin delved into the possibility of using computer simulations of the past for technological resurrection. He draws inspiration from Russian cosmist Nikolai Fedorov, emphasizing the importance of preserving information, especially the human brain’s connectome, for future reconstruction of individuals. His research encompasses various methods for achieving technological resurrection, including cryonics, digital immortality, plastination, and advanced AI simulations of historical events. Turchin posits that a future superintelligence could potentially reconstruct even those whose resurrection was not actively prepared for.

Aubrey de Grey is a biomedical gerontologist based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Mountain View, California. He is recognized for his work in combating the aging process and is a frequent speaker at events focused on the intersection of science, ethics, and longevity. De Grey serves as the Chief Science Officer of SENS Research Foundation, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to developing and promoting therapies to reverse aging. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Rejuvenation Research , a leading peer-reviewed journal focused on intervention in aging. De Grey is best known for developing Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS), a comprehensive plan for repairing the accumulating molecular and cellular damage that constitutes mammalian aging. SENS breaks aging down into seven major classes of damage and identifies detailed approaches to addressing each one.

Elizabeth Parrish is the CEO of BioViva, a biotechnology corporation focused on combating cellular aging through the development of regenerative therapies for muscle and tissue. Driven by a humanitarian vision, BioViva strives to make these potentially life-saving therapies accessible to all. Parrish is recognized as a humanitarian entrepreneur, innovator, and a prominent voice advocating for genetic cures. As a strong proponent of education and advancement in regenerative medicine, she is a motivational speaker within the life sciences community and actively engages in international educational media outreach. She is also a founding member of the International Longevity Alliance. Further demonstrating her commitment to scientific discourse and discovery, Parrish is an affiliated member of the Complex Biological Systems Alliance (CBSA), a platform for highly gifted individuals. The CBSA’s mission is to advance scientific understanding of biological complexity and the origins of human disease. She also founded BioTrove Investments, LLC, and BioTrove Podcasts, initiatives dedicated to facilitating learning and funding research in the field of regenerative medicine. Though not raised religiously, Parrish expresses a reverence for nature and emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and action in achieving progress, urging individuals to actively utilize the tools available to them rather than waiting for others.

Dr. Matthew Memmott is a director and senior technical advisor for Alpha Tech Research, a technology startup focused on developing an advanced micro molten salt reactor. This innovative reactor design aims to provide twelve megawatts of inherently safe nuclear energy, while also producing valuable medical isotopes as a byproduct. His work positions him at the forefront of next-generation energy solutions. In addition to his role at Alpha Tech Research, Dr. Memmott is a professor in the chemical engineering department at Brigham Young University (BYU). He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from BYU in 2005, and subsequently pursued advanced studies at MIT, where he obtained a master’s and PhD in nuclear science and engineering. His academic research centers on advanced nuclear reactor design, nuclear safety, and system modeling—all fields crucial for ensuring a sustainable and secure energy future. Dr. Memmott’s work aligns with transhumanist values by exploring how advanced technology can be leveraged to improve human well-being and sustainability. His exploration of nuclear energy, particularly inherently safe designs, reflects a desire to overcome challenges and create abundance. He is particularly interested in the distributed systems and blockchain applications in the energy realm.

Michio Kaku (born 1947) is an American theoretical physicist, futurist, and one of the most prominent science communicators of the contemporary era. A co-founder of string field theory, Kaku has spent his career exploring the fundamental nature of the universe while simultaneously making advanced physics accessible to millions through bestselling books, television programs, and public lectures. Born in San Jose, California, to Japanese-American parents, Kaku demonstrated exceptional scientific aptitude from a young age, reportedly building a particle accelerator in his garage as a teenager. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and has held a long-standing professorship at the City College of New York. His academic work centers on string theory and its quest for a unified “Theory of Everything”—a single framework that would reconcile all fundamental forces of nature. Beyond the academy, Kaku has authored numerous popular science books, including Hyperspace , The Future of the Mind , Physics of the Impossible , and The Future of Humanity , which explore topics ranging from higher dimensions to the long-term trajectory of human civilization. Kaku’s futurism resonates strongly with several themes central to Mormon Transhumanism. He has articulated a vision of humanity’s future in which civilizations advance through progressively higher types on the Kardashev scale, eventually harnessing the energy of entire galaxies and potentially mastering the fabric of spacetime itself. His discussions of mind uploading, life extension, terraforming, and the colonization of space align with the transhumanist conviction that scientific knowledge and technological power can serve as means to realize extraordinary human potential. His concept of a “Type III” or even higher civilization—beings with godlike power over nature—echoes, in secular terms, the Mormon Transhumanist affirmation that humanity is invited to become compassionate creators. Where Kaku’s vision diverges from Mormon Transhumanism is primarily in its philosophical framing rather than its trajectory. Kaku generally approaches these questions from a naturalistic perspective, expressing admiration for Einstein’s impersonal “God of Spinoza”—a sense of cosmic order and harmony—rather than affirming a personal, relational God or the reality of divine grace working through human progress. Mormon Transhumanism would locate humanity’s extraordinary technological and creative future within a framework of covenant, prophetic authority, and trust in Christ, seeing these advances not merely as emergent properties of intelligence but as ordained means toward theosis. Nonetheless, Kaku’s expansive optimism about human potential and his insistence that the laws of physics permit civilizations of astonishing scope and power make his work a compelling conversation partner for anyone exploring the intersection of science, human destiny, and the divine.

R. Michael Perry , PhD (1947–2026), was a computer scientist, author, and prominent figure in the cryonics and transhumanist movements. For nearly four decades, he served as Care Services Manager at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he oversaw the stabilization and long-term maintenance of cryopreserved patients. On April 15, 2026, Dr. Perry was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian. True to his lifelong convictions, Alcor’s DART team immediately took him into care, and he received an excellent cryopreservation. He is now an Alcor patient, continuing his commitment to technological resurrection in the facility he served for so long. Beyond his technical role at Alcor, Perry was a prolific writer and philosopher. He is the author of Forever for All: Moral Philosophy, Cryonics, and the Scientific Prospects for Immortality (2000), a comprehensive work that argues for the ethical necessity and scientific feasibility of achieving physical immortality. His philosophical outlook, which he described as “Christian Atheist Universal Immortalism,” sought to bridge the gap between religious aspirations for an afterlife and the technological means to achieve it. He posited that a future superintelligence could utilize advanced simulations and information-recovery techniques to resurrect everyone who has ever lived, a concept rooted in the traditions of Russian Cosmism. Perry’s influence extended deeply into the organizational leadership of the transhumanist community. He was a cofounder and president of the Society for Universal Immortalism and an ordained minister for the Society for Venturism, where he performed ceremonies reflecting a commitment to the scientific conquest of death. Through his long-running column “For the Record” in Cryonics magazine, he became the primary historian of the cryonics movement, meticulously documenting its early failures and successes so that the lessons of the past could inform the technology of the future. Dr. Perry was a dedicated advocate for the “techno-psycho-cyber-heaven”—a future state dominated by benevolence and universal life extension. Gentle, soft-spoken, and principled, he was an anchor in the cryonics community for decades. He came in early, stayed late, and often remained at the facility for days at a time to ensure Alcor’s patients were always properly cared for. The cryonics movement owes him a debt of gratitude that cannot be overstated. Now, after watching over Alcor’s patients for nearly forty years, it is their turn to watch over him as he rests in cryopreservation, awaiting the future he worked so tirelessly to help create. His life’s work remains a testament to the belief that death is a problem to be solved through the rigorous application of science, mathematics, and a hopeful, rational philosophy.

Natasha Vita-More is a distinguished designer and theorist recognized for her pioneering work in transhumanism. She currently serves as a professor at the University of Advancing Technology and holds the position of Chairman of Humanity Plus. Furthermore, she is a fellow of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, solidifying her standing as a key figure in the field. Vita-More’s academic pursuits culminated in a doctorate from the Planetary Collegium, University of Plymouth, where her research centered on human enhancement and radical life extension. She is the designer and author of the influential 'Platform Diverse Body Substrate Autonomous Person.' Her contributions extend to published works, most notably as co-editor of The Transhumanist Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and Philosophy of the Human Future (2013). A driving force in the transhumanist movement, Vita-More authored the Transhuman Manifesto in 1983 and subsequently founded Transhumanist Arts and Culture in 1993. She has also held leadership positions, including chair of the Vital Progress Summit 2004, which fostered crucial dialogue on human enhancement, and president of the Extropy Institute from 2002 to 2006. Her work has been showcased at prestigious venues, including the National Center for Contemporary Arts and the Telluride Film Festival. While primarily involved in the secular transhumanist movement, Vita-More brings her considerable expertise to events like the Mormon Transhumanist Association conference, reflecting the broader relevance of her insights regarding the future of humanity and the ethical considerations surrounding technological advancements.

Nikolay Fyodorovich Fyodorov (9 June 1829 – 28 December 1903) was a Russian Orthodox Christian philosopher, religious thinker, and futurologist who founded the intellectual movement known as Russian cosmism—a direct precursor to modern transhumanism. Born as Nikolay Pavlovich Gagarin, the illegitimate son of Prince Pavel Ivanovich Gagarin, he studied at the Richelieu Lyceum in Odessa before serving as a teacher and later joining the Rumyantsev Museum as a librarian in 1878. Called the “Socrates of Moscow,” Fyodorov was respected and admired by Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Vladimir Solovyov. His major contribution to philosophy was the “Common Task”—humanity’s collective mission to regulate the forces of nature, defeat death, and resurrect ancestors through scientific means. He advocated for radical life extension, physical immortality, and the literal resurrection of the dead, insisting that knowledge without action was worthless. Fyodorov opposed intellectual property and never published during his lifetime. His selected articles were printed posthumously as Philosophy of the Common Task (also known as Philosophy of Physical Resurrection ). His ideas influenced diverse figures, from rocket pioneer Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to composer Alexander Scriabin. He died of pneumonia in 1903 in a shelter for the poor; his grave was destroyed by the Soviet government in 1930. Fyodorov’s synthesis of Orthodox Christianity with scientific ambition for immortality and resurrection makes him a foundational figure for understanding the religious dimensions of transhumanist thought.

Ralph Merkle is a prominent figure in the field of nanotechnology, particularly known for his work on molecular nanotechnology and its potential applications in medicine and manufacturing. His research focuses on the development of molecular robotics and nanomedicine, envisioning a future where nanotechnology can significantly extend human health and lifespan. Merkle has a keen interest in the intersection of science, technology, and transhumanist ideals, evident in his willingness to discuss topics such as radical life extension and the potential for human advancement beyond current limitations. His engagement with the Mormon Transhumanist Association suggests an interest in exploring the spiritual and philosophical implications of advanced technologies, particularly in the context of concepts like exaltation and the potential for human beings to evolve. Merkle’s presentation at the MTAConf 2015 highlighted exponential trends in manufacturing, precision, and cost reduction, specifically referencing advances in 3D printing and its potential to revolutionize production processes. He draws parallels between the rise of 3D printing and the computer revolution, envisioning a future where customized manufacturing becomes increasingly accessible. He has deep technical knowledge with subjects such as extrusion, and printhead mechanics.

Yuval Noah Harari (born 1976) is an Israeli historian, philosopher, and bestselling author best known for his sweeping macro-historical works that examine the past, present, and future of Homo sapiens . A professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Harari has become one of the most influential public intellectuals of the twenty-first century, shaping global conversations about technology, consciousness, and the trajectory of human civilization. Harari earned his PhD from the University of Oxford and initially specialized in medieval and military history before turning to broad questions about the human condition. His breakthrough work, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2011; English edition 2014), traces humanity’s rise from insignificant apes to planetary dominators, arguing that our capacity for shared fictions—including religion, money, and nation-states—enabled unprecedented cooperation. Its sequel, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2015; English edition 2017), examines how biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and data-driven algorithms may reshape or even supersede humanity. A third major work, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018), addresses the urgent political and existential challenges of the present moment. Harari’s engagement with transhumanist themes is substantial. Homo Deus explicitly explores scenarios in which humans upgrade themselves toward quasi-divine capacities—enhanced cognition, radical life extension, and even engineered bliss—territory that overlaps significantly with Mormon Transhumanist interests in theosis, immortality, and the creative potential of humanity. However, Harari approaches these possibilities with deep ambivalence. He warns that technological transcendence may benefit only a small elite, creating unprecedented inequality, and he questions whether upgraded “Homo Deus” beings would retain anything recognizably human. His framework treats religion primarily as a useful fiction rather than as a genuine encounter with divine reality, and he does not share the Mormon Transhumanist conviction that a compassionate God ordains scientific and technological progress as means toward prophetic fulfillment. Where Mormon Transhumanism sees human potential and divine purpose as mutually reinforcing—with technological advancement serving as a vehicle for God’s work—Harari tends to view the pursuit of godlike power as fraught with existential risk and moral peril, untethered from any transcendent moral order. A practicing Vipassana meditator, Harari’s personal philosophical orientation draws on Buddhist insights about the nature of consciousness and suffering, leading him to emphasize mindfulness and self-awareness as counterweights to technological disruption. His work has been translated into over sixty languages, and he has advised world leaders and spoken at major forums including the World Economic Forum. Whether or not one shares his conclusions, Harari’s bold synthesis of history, biology, and philosophy has made him an indispensable voice in contemporary debates about what humanity is becoming.