The world of human behavior is vast, innovative and always evolving. Trying to stay up-to-date on the newest discoveries may seem like an impossible task – until now! We have combined a list of some of the most influential and revolutionary profiles in the industry, ranging from neuroscientists and marketers to key authors and journalists.

The common denominator for these experts is their activity in the community and their willingness to share and be open about their work.

Here is our list of 50 important human behavior experts across a broad range of scientific fields (sorted alphabetically):

1) Adam Alter

Marketing/Psychology Professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business – @adamleealter

Why Follow

Adam is a force in his field and mixes marketing with social psychology. His New York Times bestselling book “Drunk Pink Tank” explores how our environment unconsciously shapes how we think, feel, act and make decisions. He is currently working on a new book exploring modern addictions to technology.

Interesting Facts

• Adam is colorblind – but writes about how color shapes decision-making
• His favorite TV show is The Wire
• Loves indie and alternative rock

Selected Book:

• Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think Feel , And Behave

Selected Articles:

• The Power of Names
• Where We Are Shapes Who We Are
• I See Red – The Colour To Wear On Your Dating Profile

Featured Video:

• TED Talk: The multitudes in all of us

2) Dr. Adam Gazzaley

UCSF Professor in Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry. Founding Director of the Neuroscience Imaging Center, Neuroscape Lab and Gazzaley Lab – @adamgazz

Why Follow

Adam’s cognitive neuroscience lab studies the neural mechanisms of memory, attention and perception and designs and develops new technologies to optimize cognitive abilities. He is highly respected in the neuroscience world with multiple awards and honors. He is also the scientific advisor for several companies including Apple and GE.

Interesting Fact

• Adam is an experienced nature photographer

Selected Book:

• The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World

Selected Articles:

• Video Games for Neuro-Cognitive Optimization
• Neural sources of performance decline during continuous multitasking

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: Closing the Loop between the Brain and Education
• TED Talk: Brain: Memory and Multitasking

 

3) Dr. Aidan Horner

Cognitive Neuroscientist and Lecturer at University of York – @aidanhorner

Why Follow

Aidan’s research specializes in the cognitive neuroscience of memory. He uses experimental psychology, virtual reality, brain imaging and computational modelling to understand the neural mechanisms of episodic memory, and how memories of the past shape our behavior in the present.

Interesting Fact

• Aidan Loves hummus and seahorses
• Was once a keen folk guitarist (until he had a child)
• Will always say yes to a cup of tea

Selected Articles:

• Evidence for holistic episodic recollection via hippocampal pattern completion
• The Role of Spatial Boundaries In Shaping Long-Term Event Representations
• Grid-like Processing of Imagined Navigation

Featured Video:

• How the hippocampus encodes and retrieves complex episodic events

 

4) Alex Doman

Founder/CEO of AdvancedBrain Technologies, Founder and Chief Scientist of Sleep Genius – @AlexDoman

Why Follow

Alex uses sound, music and technology to improve brain function in both children and adults. His vision is to transform the life of every person by making sound brain fitness universally attainable. During his career he has helped launch more than 50 music albums and products using his techniques.

Interesting Facts

• Alex is the 3rd generation of his family to study in the field of child and human brain development
• Loves country music – some of his favorites are The Civil Wars and Lindi Ortega

Selected Book:

• Healing at the Speed of Sound: How What We Hear Transforms Our Brains and Our Lives

Selected Articles:

• Is Sound Stressing You Out?
• Neural Mechanisms Involved in Hypersensitive Hearing: Helping Children with ASD Who Are Overly Sensitive to Sounds

Featured Video:

• Hack Ogden – Sleep: Your Secret Weapon for Productivity

 

5) Alvaro Fernandez

CEO and Founder of SharpBrains and Market/Innovation Analyst on Digital Brain Health – @AlvaroF

Why Follow

Alvaro runs the independent market research firm SharpBrains, tracking how neuroscience and neurotechnology can improve health and performance. The SharpBrains blog has over 100.000 monthly readers. Alvaro was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2012.

Interesting Fact

• Is learning cross-country skiing

Selected Book:

• The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness: How to Optimize Brain Health and Performance at Any Age

Selected Articles:

• 10 Common Brain Health and Brain Training Myths, Debunked
• The Digital Revolution Meets the Human Brain

Featured Video:

• The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness: Practical Advice to Keep Your Brain Sharp

 

6) Dr. Antonio Casals Mimbrero

SalesBrain certified partner, NeuroStrategy partner and CEO, Local Chair for Spain of the Neuromarketing Science and Business Association – @Mimbrerooo

Why Follow

Antonio is a powerhouse in the neuromarketing field with over 30 years of experience in the industry as well as several top management positions in large US companies. His specialty is to predict client and consumer behavior and developing his clients’ skills in neuromarketing and neurostrategy. At SalesBrain he uses a wide range of techniques such as facial imaging, eye tracking and layered voice analysis to predict the effects of a sales message or strategy.

Interesting Fact

• Speaks 5 languages fluently and has a PhD in Germanic Philology

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: Neuromarketing in action — towards a new model of persuasion
• EEN Escuela Europea de Negocios – Neuromarketing con Neuromap WS Diciembre 2013

 

7) Dr. Art Markman

Professor of Psychology and Marketing at The University of Texas at Austin. Founding Director of Human Dimensions of Organization & Director of Research at IC2 Institute – @abmarkman

Why Follow

Through his seminars, Art helps individuals and organizations improve their knowledge on liberal arts and social and behavioral sciences. He has written over 150 scholarly works on higher-level thinking including decision making, motivation and analogical reasoning.

Interesting Facts

• Plays the saxophone in Phineas Gage where they play Ska and R&B.
• On the scientific advisory boards for the Dr. Phil Show and the Dr. Oz Show

Selected Books:

• Brain Briefs: Answers to the Most (and Least) Pressing Questions about your Mind
• Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems, Innovate, and Get Things Done
• Smart Change: Five Tools to Create New and Sustainable Habits in Yourself and Others

Selected Articles:

• Parents Affect Their Children’s View of Intelligence
• Power, Status, and Perspective-Taking

Featured Videos:

• Why Are Emotions Contagious?
• Game Changers Excerpt: Art Markman

 

8) Dr. Brynn L. Winegard

Founder of Winegard & Company – @DrBrynnWinegard

Why Follow

Brynn is an expert in business-brain sciences and travels around the world with her presentations on Building Better Business Brains. Her presentations about neuroleadership, subconscious success secrets, the aging brain, persuasion, influence and engagement have helped companies like Coca-Cola, Deloitte and Novartis just to name a few.

Interesting Facts

• Her childhood dream was to be a neurosurgeon. In pre-med school realized she liked altering the brain, but not surgically.
• According to her students she always dresses like she has to go to an interview

Selected Podcast:

• Brand Storytelling #44 Creating Cognitively Sticky Brand Stories

Selected Articles:

• Using Neuroscience to Explain How Women’s Brains Buy and Consume
• Describing what ‘Neuroleadership’ is

Featured Videos:

• Speaker on Business Management, Neuromarketing & Neuromanagement
• Old and Grey Matter

 

9) Charles Duhigg

Senior Editor at the New York Times – @cduhigg

Why Follow

Charles is a long time reporter for the New York Times and has written the Pulitzer prize winning iEconomy series about Apple. His work focuses on productivity and about the science of habit formation in our lives, companies and societies.

Interesting Facts

• His childhood dream was to be an actor
• Was a bike messenger in San Francisco – but lasted only one day

Selected Books:

• Smarter Better Faster
• The Power of Habit

Selected Articles:

• How Companies Learn Your Secrets
• How Asking 5 Questions Allowed Me to Eat Dinner With My Kids

Featured Videos:

• Build a Better To-Do List
• How the Military Uses the Science of Habits

 

10) Christine Comaford

Neuroscience-based Leadership and Culture Coach & Author – @Comaford

Why Follow

Christine’s resume is quite impressive. She spent 8 years as a venture capitalist and has built and sold 5 businesses and invested in more than 200 startups including Google. She has consulted to the White House during both the Clinton and Bush administration and also finds time to run a leadership column in Forbes Magazine.

Interesting Facts

• Never finished high school
• Declined being a shark on “Shark Tank”

Selected Books:

• SmartTribes: How Teams Become Brilliant Together
• Rules for Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality

Selected Articles:

• Are You In A Leadership Role? Here’s What You Need To Know About Your Brain
• The Number One Neuroscience Game-Changing Tool All Leaders Need For The New Year

Featured Videos:

• The Neuroscience of Leadership
• TED Talk: Find your Question

 

11) Craig Bennett

Cognitive Neuroscientist, Director of Software Engineering at Wyatt Technology – @prefrontal

Why Follow

Craig develops CogNeuro software and hardware for private customers and companies as well as tools to help understand human brain function. His methods include magnetic resonance imaging and developmental cognitive neuroscience to understand risk perception, decision-making, cognitive-emotional integration and fMRI methods. He also runs the blog Prefrontal.

Interesting Facts

• Loves going to air shows
• Once biked across Kansas

Selected Articles:

• The Neuroscience of Running
• Thoughts on Brain Training

 

12) Dr. Daniel Dennett

Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University – @danieldennett

Why Follow

Daniel is a cognitive scientist, philosopher of mind and renowned author. His impressive career includes 18 books and more than 400 articles on various aspects of the mind, evolutionary biology and cognitive science. He is an atheist and outspoken supporter of the Brights Movement.

Interesting Facts

• He has one of the best beards in the industry
• Hobbies include farming, sailing and sculpting

Selected Books:

• Breaking the Spell
• Intuition Pumps And Other Tools for Thinking

Selected Articles:

• What is the Bandwidth of Perceptual Experience?
• Why the Future of Religion is Bleak

Featured Videos:

• Information, Evolution, and intelligent Design
• The Evolution of Confusion
  

13) David DiSalvo

Science, mind and psychology writer – @Neuronarrative

Why Follow

David has written several books about the brain and cognitive psychology as well as articles for magazines such as TIME, Forbes and Psych Today. He also writes the popular blogs Neuropsyched, Neuronarrative and The Daily Brain.

Interesting Facts

• Has his own youtube channel with animated clips
• Also enjoys writing fiction

Selected Books:

• What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite
• Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain’s Power to Adapt Can Change Your Life

Selected Articles:

• Can Neuroscience Debunk Free Will?
• Brains Get a Performance Boost From Believing Effort Trumps Genetics

Featured Videos:

• #101 The Awareness Wedge: BRAIN CHANGER Interview Series
• NEWS YOU CAN USE Sleep Debt Theory

 

14) Dr. David Eagleman

Neuroscientist, Stanford University, and Director, Center for Science and Law – @davideagleman

Why Follow

Besides writing more than 100 publications and several books, David is the writer and presenter of the international PBS series “The Brain with David Eagleman”. David is also the founder of BrainCheck and the Co-Founder of NeoSensory. He was named Science Educator of the Year by the Society for Neuroscience in 2012.

Interesting Facts

• His book of fiction, Sum, became an international bestseller and was turned into 2 separate operas

Selected Books:

• Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
• The Brain: The Story of You

Selected Articles:

• What Our Brains Can Teach Us
• Four Ways The Internet Could Go Down

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: Can we create new senses for humans?
• Brain over mind?

 

15) Dr. David Rock

CEO of the NeoroLeadership Group and Executive Director of the NeoroLeadership Institute – @davidrock101

Why Follow

David has earned praise in both the neuroscience field and the business world with his neuroscientific coaching program. He has taught more than 10.000 leaders and organizations in over 64 countries to maximize their leadership and coaching skills through brain based techniques.

Interesting Facts

• Speaks French fluently
• Is a Star Wars fan

Selected Books:

• Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long
• Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work

Selected Articles:

• One Simple Idea That Can Transform Performance Management
• Defining NeuroLeadership as a Field

Featured Videos:

• Your Brain at Work
• SCARF Model – Influencing Others

 

16) Dr. Drew Ramsey

Co-creator of The Brain Food Scale – @DrewRamseyMD

Why Follow

Besides being a psychiatrist and author, Drew is also a farmer and combines the latest brain science with nutritional research to create food to sharpen brain function and improve mental health. He is a popular speaker and has written several pieces for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and many more.

Interesting Fact

• Loves surfing and snowboarding

Selected Books:

• The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body
• Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients That Fuel Brainpower, Boost Weight Loss, and Transform Your Health

Selected Articles:

• How Kale Became My Cause
• Meat Is Brain Food

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: A Brain Food Prescription from the Farmacy
• TED Talk: The Brain Intervention at the End of Our Forks

17) Dr. Duane Varan

CEO of MediaScience and Chief Research Officer of ESPN Lab – @DuaneVaran

Why Follow

Duane runs one of the most advanced audience research facilities in the world measuring biometrics, eye gaze, facial muscle movement, viewer reaction time and much more. He is also the project leader of “Beyond Thirty Seconds” researching the evolving media and advertising landscape.

Interesting Facts

• Spent a summer helping eskimos build a community center
• Is a supporter of the bahá’í faith

Selected Articles:

• The effects of social TV on television advertising effectiveness
• Using Internet Behavior to Deliver Relevant Television Commercials

Featured Videos:

• Improving Neuromarketing Measurement
• Dr. Duane Varan on the State of the Media Industry

 

18) Dr. Earl K. Miller

Picower Professor of Neuroscience at MIT. Chief Scientific Officer of SplitSage – @MillerLabMIT

Why Follow

Earl is an expert on the neural mechanisms of visual cognition and how the brain coordinates thoughts and action. His research focuses on the variations in people’s ability to process learning and how to maximize this through individual cognitive maps.

Interesting Fact

• Loves cats and wine

Selected Articles:

• An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function
• Neural Activity in the Primate Prefrontal Cortex during Associative Learning

Featured Videos:

• 2012 Allen Institute for Brain Science Symposium
• Cognition is rhythmic

19) Dr. Ellen Weber

Director and Owner of the MITA International Brain Center – @ellenfweber

Why Follow

Ellen developed and enhanced the MITA method – a brain based approach to foster innovative leading and learning, which has helped business leaders around the world. She is a frequent radio and TV guest, author of several books and runs the blog Brain Leaders and Learners. Her brain based TpT tasks, tools and curriculum support a brain-compatible approach to leading and learning for a new era.

Interesting Facts

• Loves to golf in her spare time
• Can often be spotted wearing a turtleneck

Selected Books:

• Making Change Easy
• Mita Strategies in Classrooms and Beyond

Selected Articles:

• See Critical Changes Stall? A Brain’s Default to Ruts
• 5 Mistakes We Make in Building Learning Cultures

Featured Video:

• Dr. Ellen Weber MITA Brain Lead and Learn

 

20) Emily S. Cross

Director of the Social Brain in Action Lab at Bangor University – @brain_on_dance

Why Follow

Emily’s work explores how people perceive and interact with each other by using social cognition, social neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience. She also uses intensive training interventions and research paradigms involving dance and robots for observational learning and studies how people’s expectations shape human-robot interaction.

Interesting Facts

• She is a trained dancer
• Her main hobby is teaching her cats new tricks

Selected Articles:

• The Impact of Experience on Affective Responses during Action Observation
• The Control of Automatic Imitation Based on Bottom–Up and Top–Down Cues to Animacy: Insights from Brain and Behavior

Featured Videos:

• So You Think You Can Dance? The neuroscience of dance learning and enjoyment
• Dancing on the brain

21) Erin Matlock

Founder and CEO of Brain Pages Inc. Host of Brain Summit – @ErinMatlock

Why Follow

Erin started her blog from her kitchen table and has built it into a multi-site network with more than 200.000 visitors each month. She is a strong advocate of ethical promotion of brain health and helps her readers find mental health products, resources and professionals in their neighborhood.

Interesting Facts

• Loves the outdoors and is a self-proclaimed nature junkie
• She’s a hugger!

Selected Articles:

• Poor Memory – Or Is It All In Your Head?
• 9 Reasons Golf Is Good For Your Brain

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: The search for a happier brain
• Reboot Your Brain 2013

22) Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Stanford AI Lab and Stanford Vision Lab – @drfeifei

Why Follow

Dr. Li’s research revolves around the central question of intelligence: what makes human intelligent, and how to build intelligent machines. Her area of expertise is in computer vision and human vision. Her team explores new AI technology, machine learning, deep learning to develop algorithms for object recognition, human motion recognition, visual scene understanding for computers, and to discover the underlying neural mechanisms in the human visual system.

Interesting Facts

• Spent a year in Tibet studying Tibetan medicine treatments
• Co-directs SAILORS, an AI Summer camp for girls

Selected Articles:

• Visualizing and Understanding Recurrent Networks
• RGB-W: When Vision Meets Wireless

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: How We Teach Computers to Understand Pictures
• Stanford Engineering’s Fei-Fei Li explores visual intelligence in computers

 

23) Gianmarco Troia

Group Business Development and Founder of Qwince LTD – @gmt71_01

Why Follow

Through his involvement in Qwince and as the CEO and Founder of the Neuralya project, Gianmarco helps customers be at the forefront of business innovation, information security, digital transformation and understand how emotions shape our experiences, interactions and decisions.

Interesting Facts

• His hobbies include cooking and photography

Selected Articles:

• Smartworking E Innovazione
• Corporate E Start-up

Featured Videos:

• Will neuromarketing change the way we shop?
• IAA – Gianmarco Troia – Wednesday, June 24th, Cannes Lions

24) Dr. Jay Van Bavel

Director of the Social Perception and Evaluation Lab at NYU’s Department of Psychology – @jayvanbavel

Why Follow

Jay’s work focuses on how collective concerns like political ideologies, group identities and moral values shape our mind and brain. He has won several awards for his research and is a popular writer for the New York Times, Scientific American and many more.

Interesting Facts

• Loves old black and white photographs of sports and music icons
• Once started a facebook petition about growing his mustache

Selected Articles:

• Why Do So Many Studies Fail to Replicate?
• The Neuroscience of Moral Cognition: From Dual Processes to Dynamic Systems

Featured Video:

• The Human Mind Evolved in Groups

 

25) Dr. Jonathan Haidt

Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business – @JonHaidt

Why Follow

Jonathan studies the intuitive foundations of morality and emotions, how these vary in different cultures and how they can be applied in relation to business ethics. He has published more than 90 academic papers and received widespread recognition for his work. He runs several websites discussing morality, positive emotions and civil politics. His 3 TED talks have over 3,5 million views.

Interesting Fact

• Considers himself an introvert

Selected Books:

• The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion
• The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Selected Articles:

• Understanding Libertarian Morality: The Psychological Dispositions of Self-Identified Libertarians
• The Politics of Disgust Animated for the Age of Trump

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: The Morals Roots of Liberals and Conservatives
• TED Talk: How Common Threats Can Make Common Political Ground

 

26) Dr. Josh Davis

Director of Research and Lead Professor of the NeuroLeadership Institute – @joshdavisphd

Why Follow

Through his work, Josh is synthesizing scientific research and guiding its use in the business and leadership domains. He successfully teaches students and professionals how to overcome presentation issues, public speaking and how to plan activities to get the best results.

Interesting Facts

• Loves to cook
• Has an impressive list of active hobbies incl. running, swimming, hiking and biking

Selected Book:

• Two Awesome Hours: Science-Based Strategies to Harness Your Best Time and Get Your Most Important Work Done

Selected Articles:

• Three Secrets of Organizational Effectiveness
• Dude, You’re Freaking Out: 5 Ways to keep your emotions from causing trouble at work.

Featured Videos:

• Chill Out, Daydream, & The Multitasking Myth #270
• To Be More Focused, Get Distracted | Inc. Magazine

 

27) Juan José Delgado

Founder and Director of Neuromarketing en Español, Founder of the NORISO Cube and Head of Amazon Marketing Services for South of Europe. Professor at IE Business School – @CuboNoriso

Why Follow

Juan is one of the most influential Spanish marketers. His main focus is to put the customer at the heart of the organization and his clients include Burger King, Pepsi, Ford and Hertz just to name a few. He was selected Most Talented Spanish Marketer of 2015 and Best Speaker in Today is Marketing 2015.

Interesting Fact

• Prefers Android over Apple

Selected Books:

• Digital Marketing: Capta Fans que Compran
• El nuevo consumidor digital: el cubo Noriso

Selected Article:

• 3 claves del Neuromarketing para conectar emocionalmente

Selected Slide:

• Dissecting the consumer behaviour. Do you want to know the keys?

Featured Videos:

• Customer Journey Clinic – ¿Está tu compañía realmente enfocada al cliente?
• Retos y oportunidades de la economía digital

 

28) Dr. Kit Yarrow

Consumer psychologist, Professor Emerita at Golden Gate University – @GenBuy

Why Follow

Kit is an active contributor in the fields of behavioral economics, consumer trends and the psychology of shopping. Her ability to apply clinical psychology to the field of behavioral economics has won her four research professorships.

Interesting Facts

• Her favorite hobby is golfing
• Has a collection of antique typewriters

Selected Books:

• Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail
• Decoding the New Consumer Mind: How and Why We Shop and Buy

Selected Articles:

• Why We Always Fall for Products Making Outlandish Claims
• Worst. Gift. Ever. The 6 Kinds of Presents You Should Never Give

Featured Video:

• Dr. Kit Yarrow on What Really Drives Consumer Behavior

 

29) Maia Szalavitz

Neuroscience Journalist & Author – @maiasz

Why Follow

Maia is an accomplished neuroscience author and journalist and her articles has been featured in the New York Times, Time Magazine, Scientific American Mind just to name a few. Her work focuses on everything about the brain and human behavior. Besides covering the latest neuroscience research, she is especially interested in addiction, love, behavior issues and evidence-based living.

Interesting Facts

• Her guilty pleasure is watching baby animal videos on youtube

Selected Books:

• Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
• Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential–and Endangered

Selected Articles:

• Making Choices: How Your Brain Decides
• Why the New Definition of Addiction, as ‘Brain Disease,’ Falls Short

Featured Videos:

• Episode 062 – Maia Szalavitz – Unbroken Brain
• Shooting from the hip on addiction and politics

 

30) Dr. Matthew Lieberman

UCLA Neuroscientist & Author – @social_brains

Why Follow

Matthew’s research in social neuroscience has shown that social interactions are more fundamental for humans than the need for food and shelter. His aim is to convince schools and businesses to encourage social interactions in order to keep the social brain stimulated and make the most of our neuro-cognitive resources.

Interesting Facts

• Is definitely not on team Trump

Selected Book:

• Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect

Selected Articles:

• Sleep variability in adolescence is associated with altered brain development
• Social working memory and its distinctive link to social cognitive ability: an fMRI study

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: The social brain and its superpowers
• Making ‘Social’ a Superpower in the Classroom

 

31) Dr. Micah Allen

Research Fellow at the Wellcome Trust Centor for Neuroimaging. Runs the blog Neuroconscience – @neuroconscience

Why Follow

Micah’s research includes a wide range of neuroscientific areas such as the alteration and training of consciousness, meta-cognition and predictive coding. He plans to develop computational models of embodied awareness and meta-cognition and to identify key targets for intervention and cognitive training.

Interesting Facts

• Is an aspiring sci-fi writer
• Loves good southern barbecue

Selected Articles:

• Cognitive-Affective Neural Plasticity following Active-Controlled Mindfulness Intervention
• Mapping the effects of age on brain iron, myelination, and macromolecules – with data!

Featured Video:

• The Evolution and Function of Mind-Wandering and Metacognition

 

32) Dr. Michele Ross

Founder and CEO of The Impact Network – @drmicheleross

Why Follow

Michele is a neuroscientist and known advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana. She co-founded GreenStone Labs and founded The Impact Network in 2013 researching new clinical cannabis technologies and communicating the benefits of cannabinoid medicine around the world.

Interesting Facts

• Was a House Guest in season 11 of Big Brother
• Loves experimenting with her hair color – even coloring it pink in 2013

Selected Book:

• Train Your Brain to Get Thin: Prime Your Gray Cells for Weight Loss, Wellness, and Exercise

Selected Articles:

• Regulation of adult neurogenesis by cannabinoids
• Hippocampal neurogenesis: a matter of survival

Featured Video:

• Endocannabinoid Deficiency

 

33) Mo Costandi

Author, Neuroscience Writer – @mocost

Why Follow

Developmental neurobiologist turned neuroscience writer Mo was named one of the most influencial bloggers by The British Psychological Society for his blog Neurophilosphy hosted by the Guardian.

Interesting Facts

• Loves camping
• Is always reading 3-4 books at a time

Selected Book:

• 50 Human Brain Ideas You Really Need to Know

Selected Articles:

• If you can’t imagine things, how can you learn?
• Genetically engineered ‘Magneto’ protein remotely controls brain and behaviour

Featured Video:

• In vivo manipulation of zebrafish behavior using Magneto2.0

 

34) Nathalie Nahai

Web Psychologist, Author, International Speaker – @NathalieNahai

Why Follow

Nathalie uses neuroscience, psychology and behavioral economics to create content marketing, website design and products bound for online success. Her clients include Google, eBay and Unilever. She is also the founder of Humanise the Web and hosts podcasts including the The Guardian’s Tech Weekly.

Interesting Fact

• Her hobbies include dancing, cooking and dress-making

Selected Books:

• Webs of Influence: The Secret Strategies That Make Us Click
• On! The Future of Now: Making Sense of our Always On, Always Connected World

Selected Articles:

• How colour can influence the success of your website
• Love or loathe #foodporn; Why we can’t stop taking pictures of our meals

Featured Video:

• The Secret Psychology behind online persuasion

 

35) Pamela Meyer

Founder and CEO of Calibrate and Simpatico Networks – @Pamela_Meyer

Why Follow

Pamela is an expert in the science of deception and is a certified lie spotter. She teaches executives how to detect deception through visual clues, psychology and neuroscience. In 2013, her TED talk How to Spot a Liar made her a Top 20 TED Speaker of 2013.

Interesting Fact

• Will ALWAYS win in a game of Bullshit

Selected Book:

• Liespotting

Selected Articles:

• How to Spot Your Own Self-Delusion
• The Top Ten Lies of 2015

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: How to spot a liar
• Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception

 

36) Dr. Paul J. Zak

Founder and President of ZESTxLabs, Founder of Ofactor Inc & Founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University – @pauljzak

Why Follow

Paul is an active contributor to the neuroeconomics, neuromanagement and consumer neuroscience fields. He studies the neuroscience of human connection, effective teamwork and happiness as well as the application of neuroscience to consumer behavior and marketing. He has made several appearances on TV shows and news outlets.

Interesting Facts

• Is nicknamed “Dr. Love” because of his research on oxytocin and relationships
• Was one of Wired Magazine’s 10 Sexiest Geeks in 2015

Selected Books:

• Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies
• The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity

Selected Articles:

• The Science Behind Building a Culture of Trust
• Mad Men Meets Neuroscience

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: The Biology of Good and Evil
• The Moral Molecule

 

37) Dr. Richard “Jack” Lewis

Neuroscientist, Broadcaster, Founder and Managing Director of NeuroFormed Ltd. – @DrJackLewis

Why Follow

Jack runs a neuroscience based consulting firm, who has helped companies such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Nespresso and BBC. He has designed a Brain Gym in London to test the brain power and give advice to the public on improving memory and decision making. Jack has extensive TV experience with shows running on BBC, Discovery, Nat Geo and many more as well as several podcasts and radio projects.

Interesting Facts

• Has made 3 cameo appearances on MTV giving tips on how to make a romantic connection
• His hobbies include surfing, white water rafting, climbing and diving

Selected Book:

• Sort Your Brain Out: Boost Your Performance, Manage Stress and Achieve More

Selected Articles:

• How Virtual Environments Shape Your Brain
• Hang Onto Your Marbles

Featured Videos:

• Brain Food: Superfoods for ultimate brain power and what to avoid
• Brain Training: Exercises to get the most out of your brain

 

38) Dr. Richard H. Thaler

Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at Booth School of Business, University of Chicago – @R_Thaler

Why Follow

Richard’s research focuses on behavioral economics and how social, cognitive and emotional factors influence economic decision making. Thaler also founded an asset management firm, which uses neuroscience to find mispriced stocks and earn superior returns.

Interesting Fact

• Appeared as himself in 2015’s “The Big Short”

Selected Books:

• Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
• Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics

Selected Articles:

• Standing United or Falling Divided? High Stakes Bargaining in a TV Game Show
• “Choice Architecture” The Behavioral Foundations of Public Policy

Featured Video:

• The Behavioralizing of Economics | Talks at Google

 

39) Roger Dooley

Author, speaker, Writer of the Brainy Marketing column at Forbes – @rogerdooley

Why Follow

On his blog, Roger writes about using neuroscience and behavior research to improve the marketing of products and companies. He also shares science based productivity tips. Roger has worked with companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to entrepreneurial startups to enhance their digital and conventional marketing.

Interesting Fact

• Is a serious college football fan

Selected Books:

• Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing
• The Persuasion Slide – A New Way to Market to Your Customer’s Conscious Needs and Unconscious Mind: Use Psychology and Behavior Research to Influence and Persuade

Selected Articles:

• Confused Customers Cut Conversions
• How To Sell a $20 Burger

Featured Videos:

• Neuromarketing: Brainy Ways to Persuade & Convert
• NeuroMarketing

 

40) Dr. Sam Harris

Author, Philosopher & Neuroscientist – @SamHarrisOrg

Why Follow

Sam is the author of 5 New York Times Bestsellers and his works have been published in more than 20 languages. He is considered a “New Atheist” and co-founded Project Reason with his wife Annaka, a non-profit organization that promotes science and secular values.

Interesting Facts

• Is a vegetarian and aspiring vegan
• Taught martial arts in college

Selected Books:

• Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
• The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

Selected Article:

• Can We Avoid A Digital Apocalypse

Featured Videos:

• How Christianity Appears To Non Believers
• Waking Up with Sam Harris #19 — The Riddle of the Gun

 

41) Dr. Sarah Mckay

Founder of the Neuroscience Academy – @SarahMMckay

Why Follow

Sarah is a neuroscientist and science communicator who specializes in translating brain science to actionable strategies to improve the wellbeing of everyday life. She runs an 8 week online brain, science and wellness program for individuals in the health and coaching industries.

Interesting Facts

• Her favorite hobby is surfing with her husband and kids
• Doesn’t believe in diets – food means pleasure!

Selected Articles:

• How to break bad habits using neuroscience
• REFIRE: 6 steps to rewire your brain (and master anything)
• Does eating chocolate improve your brain function?

Featured Video:

• TED Talk: Indulge Your Neurobiology

 

42) Dr. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL and Royal Society University Research Fellow. Group Leader of the Blakemore Lab & Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience” – @sjblakemore

Why Follow

Sarah’s work focuses on the social brain, especially the development of social cognition and decision-making in adolescence. Her research at the Blakemore Institute involves a variety of behavioral (psychophysics, eye-tracking, motion capture) and neuroimaging (MRI, fMRI and MEG) methods.

Interesting Fact

• Science runs in her family – her father Colin Blakemore was also a neuroscientist

Selected Book:

• The Learning Brain: Lessons for Education

Selected Articles:

• Adolescence as a Sensitive Period of Brain Development
• The Adolescent Brain
  

Featured Video:

• TED Talk: The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain

 

43) Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman

Scientific Director of the Imagination Institute – @sbkaufman

Why Follow

Scott believes there are great possibilities within every person. His childhood learning disabilities inspired him to create his Theory of Personal Intelligence, presenting a vision of education that includes a young person’s unique development, engagement, abilities and personal goals.

Interesting Facts

• Dances Hip Hop in his spare time
• Auditioned twice for American Idol

Selected Books:

• Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined
• Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

Selected Articles:

• The Real Neuroscience of Creativity
• The Myth of the Neurotic Creative

Featured Video:

• How Imagination and Intelligence Work Together in the Brain

 

44) Dr. Sean Orr

Neurologist, Owner of Axion NeuroTherapy Inc. and Neurologistics Inc. – @AxionNeuro

Why Follow

Sean uses neuroscience to improve income, lifestyle and performance. He believes that we have entered a phase of “NeuroEconomy” in which cognitive capability is a direct determinant of longevity and well-being. Just like damaged brains can be rebuilt, he believes we can improve normal functioning brains to perform better.

Interesting Facts

• Plays the trombone
• Enjoys artistic glass blowing in his spare time

Selected Book:

• Brain Fitness For The Neuroeconomy

Selected Article:

• Neurorepair for the Chemo Brain

Featured Videos:

• The Neuroeconomy Brain Enhancing Innovations
• Neuroeconomy: Building a better Brain

 

45) Si Conroy

Founder/CEO of Constant Mentor and Scarlet Monday – @SiConroy

Why Follow

Si has combined more than 1000 scientific studies in Constant Mentor to create an infrastructure of cognitive and motivational tools to help leaders with goal achievement. He also keeps busy with his company Scarlet Monday specializing in business growth.

Interesting Facts

• Is an ultra runner
• Loves cats

Selected Articles:

• Cognitive science is fundamental to business success
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the core leadership skill

Featured Video:

• Future Leadership Skills: digital and cognitive science hold the answer

 

46) Dr. Sophie Scott

Runs the Speech Communication Laboratory at UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience – @sophiescott

Why Follow

Sophie researches the neuroscience of voices and speech including non-verbal emotional vocalization. She is a popular TED speaker and in recent years Sophie has started focusing her attention on the neuroscience of laughter.

Interesting Facts

• Is also a standup comedian
• One of her favorite movies is the 1986 British comedy Clockwise

Selected Articles:

• How scientists make people laugh to study humor
• Getting the Cocktail Party Started: Masking Effects in Speech Perception

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: Why We Laugh
• The Science of Laughter with Sophie Scott

 

47) Dr. Susan Weinschenk

Behavioral Scientist, Founder and CEO of the Team W – @thebrainlady

Why Follow

Nicknamed “The Brain Lady” Susan has more than 30 years of experience in the field. She applies neuroscience research to predict and understand what motivates people and how they behave, and uses the information to consult companies on design of websites, software, medical devices and TV ads.

Interesting Facts

• Loves to sing jazz
• Performs in community theatre

Selected Books:

• 100 MORE Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People
• Neuro Web Design: What Makes Them Click?

Selected Articles:

• The Next 100 Things You Need To Know About People: #114 — Great Stories Release Brain Chemicals
• The Next 100 Things You Need To Know About People: #116 — Everyone Can Be Creative

Featured Videos:

• The ROI of User Experience with Dr. Susan Weinschenk
• 5 Things Every Presenter Needs To Know About People

 

48) Dr. Tara Swart

CEO of the Unlimited Mind and Senior Lecturer at MIT – @TaraSwart

Why Follow

Tara combines her PhD in neuroscience and extensive medical experience to run a neuroscience consultancy specializing in thought leadership, executive coaching, individual brain-based coaching and team development. Tara has helped companies around the world and is a popular lecturer and speaker at international conferences and business schools.

Interesting Facts

• Loves reading sci-fi novels
• Has practiced yoga and mindfulness for many years

Selected Books:

• Neuroscience for Leadership: Harnessing the Brain Gain Advantage (The Neuroscience of Business)
• An Attitude for Acting

Selected Articles:

• Brexit fallout: How to survive ‘survival mode’
• Brain gain: 5 things bosses can learn from neuroscience

Featured Videos:

• TED Talk: Technology and the Future of the Human Brain
• Episode 24: The Neuroscience of Business with Dr Tara Swart
• Rise of neuroscience in executive education

 

49) Dr. Uta Frith

Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development at UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience – @utafrith

Why Follow

Uta – a self-proclaimed Golden Oldie – has spent her career studying autism and social cognitive neuroscience. She has written several publications and her aim is to make neuroscience research relevant in continuous education.

Interesting Facts

• Collects alphabet samplers
• Enjoys going to antique fairs to find 18th century white and blue porcelain

Selected Books:

• The Learning Brain: Lessons for Education
• Autism: Explaining the Enigma

Selected Articles:

• The social brain: allowing humans to boldly go where no other species has been
• Reading the mind in cartoons and stories: an fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and nonverbal tasks

Featured Video:

• Autism: The First Fifty Years | Mind Brain Behavior Distinguished Lecture

 

50) Dr. Ward Plunet

Neuroscientist, Co-founder of Brainup & Founder of BeMoreBeNow.com – @WardPlunet

Why Follow

Ward specializes in neuroplasticity and neuroprotective treatments after injury. His company Brainup teaches how cutting edge neuroscience can be used to increase your productivity. Ward is also a science correspondent for global news with a weekly science segment on AM/BC morning TV show.

Interesting Fact

• Is an amateur philosopher

Selected Articles:

• How many neurons does a human brain have, and more importantly how many connections?
• A Systematic Review of Directly Applied Biologic Therapies for Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Featured Videos:

• Meditation for 8 Weeks Alters Your Emotional Response
• 5 Morning Hacks – to save you time

The end?

We hope you have enjoyed the list. We’d of course love to include many more but in a world with that many brilliant people the list could go on. If you have liked this post and long for more knowledge, please visit our pocket guide section and download your one of our many free guides such as Experimental Design, Scientific Grant Writing and many more. Feedback, comments and other inquiries please feel free to contact us.

YOUR TURN! Join our Brain Based Circles! Would love to meet you at any of the following!

Brain Leaders and Learners Blog
Mita Brain Center Facebook
efweber on Pinterest
@ellenfweber on Twitter
ellenfweber on Instagram
Ellen Weber on Google+
Ellen Weber on LinkedIn

Created by Ellen Weber, Brain Based Tasks for Growth Mindset