Alastair Garfield, Ph.D., serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he leads the company's scientific strategy and research and development efforts focused on rare genetic disorders of obesity and hypothalamic disorders. With over 15 years of expertise in neuroscience and genetics, particularly in the melanocortin pathway and energy homeostasis, Garfield has been instrumental in advancing Rhythm's pipeline. He earned his PhD in molecular biology from the University of Aberdeen and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge, where he investigated the neural circuits regulating appetite and body weight under Professor William Colledge. Prior to joining Rhythm in 2017 as Vice President of Research, Garfield held academic positions at the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh, publishing seminal work in journals such as *Nature Neuroscience* and *Cell Metabolism* on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) signaling. His research elucidated key mechanisms underlying genetic obesities, directly informing therapeutic development. At Rhythm, he spearheaded the preclinical and clinical advancement of setmelanotide, the company's first-in-class MC4R agonist, which received FDA approval in 2020 for treating deficiencies in POMC, PCSK1, and LEPR pathways—the first approved therapy for these ultra-rare conditions. As CSO, Garfield oversees a robust R&D portfolio, including expansions into broader MC4R pathway disorders and hypocretin deficiency (narcolepsy type 1). His leadership has positioned Rhythm as a leader in precision medicine for endocrine and metabolic diseases, with ongoing Phase 3 trials and strategic partnerships driving innovation. Garfield's blend of academic rigor and industry acumen continues to propel breakthroughs for patients with limited treatment options.