Keith Comito ’01; MS, ’04, was familiar with Hofstra University long before his undergraduate years. From attending Hofstra’s summer camp as a child to visiting his brother on campus when he was in high school, Comito knew all along that Hofstra was the right fit.
Drawn to mathematics and computer science, Comito pursued both fields rigorously and earned separate Bachelor of Science degrees in each. In addition to excelling academically, he was a member of the inaugural class of the Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College, where he engaged deeply with literature, philosophy, and political science. He fondly recalls courses with distinguished professors, such as Dr. Laura Otis, who later won the MacArthur Award. “She was just a genius,” he says. “She spoke something like 10 languages. It was very inspiring.”
Comito’s undergraduate experience was so rewarding that he stayed on to pursue a master’s degree in applied mathematics. He worked on groundbreaking research alongside the chair of the biology department to study the Lamin A gene – work that would later connect to his contributions in longevity research. “It turns out Lamin A is related to aging, which was a serendipitous confluence with my future work,” Comito explains. “I didn’t even know that at the time.”
After graduating, Comito entered the dynamic world of computer science. He developed apps, worked at Major League Baseball on early video streaming technology, and was instrumental in the development of HBO Now and Disney+. His innovations at Disney included the patented GroupWatch technology, which enables synchronized streaming experiences. “I pushed that forward based on needing that feature with my own friends,” he says. “That wasn’t assigned to me. I said, ‘Hey, we got to do this!’”
Comito’s ambitions extended beyond media technology. He co-founded Lifespan.io, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research to overcome aging-related diseases and extend the healthy human lifespan. “We helped change how people think about aging research,” Comito explains. “A decade ago, longevity science was seen as fringe. Now, major institutions, governments, and biotech companies are investing in it because they recognize the potential.” he explains. “By addressing the root causes of age-related diseases, we can shift the focus from treating illnesses to preventing them, ultimately extending the quality of human life.”
Comito credits Hofstra’s interdisciplinary environment as the foundation for his ability to bridge multiple fields in his career. “I was working with the biology department, the computer science department, the math department, and the philosophers as well,” he explains. “That really teed up what became my successes. If I had gone to a purely technical school, I wouldn’t have had the chance to see how different disciplines intersect.”
His current work at the intersection of technology, health, and entertainment is a direct result of the expansive education he received at Hofstra. “At Hofstra, I was constantly bouncing between different departments, and that really shaped the way I approach problem-solving today,” Comito explains. “Having the freedom to explore different disciplines helped me see connections that others might miss, and that’s been invaluable in my career.”
Today, Comito envisions a future where technologies he is working on – like EEG-driven communication and augmented reality – redefine human interaction, health monitoring, and entertainment. “Once augmented reality matures, I think that’s going to create a vivid and rich landscape for not only media and health, but interpersonal communication as well,” he predicts. “It’s not too far-fetched to think that in the not-too-distant future, I may be able to almost telepathically communicate with you.”
His advice to students? “Really lean into your true self, whatever that is. Don’t feel the need to pigeonhole yourself,” he urges. “Push boundaries. Diversify your experience. That’s the thing I credit most to Hofstra – fostering that interdisciplinary mindset which has been invaluable to my success.”