David Eagleman is an American neuroscientist, bestselling author, and Guggenheim Fellow. As a writer and media personality, he is known for his work in neuroscience and his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts. His research includes brain plasticity, sensory substitution, time perception, synesthesia, and neurolaw. Eagleman's books have been translated into over 30 languages.
David Eagleman was born in New Mexico. After falling from a roof, he became fascinated with the neural basis of time perception, sparking his interest in neuroscience. He attended Albuquerque Academy and later enrolled at Rice University, where he majored in British and American literature.
Eagleman spent his junior year at Oxford University and graduated from Rice in 1993. He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine in 1998, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute.
In addition to his role as a professor at Stanford University, Eagleman directed a neuroscience research laboratory for ten years at Baylor College of Medicine. He has co-founded two companies, Neosensory and BrainCheck, which focus on sensory replacement devices and digital platforms for cognitive health. His directorship of the Centre for Science and Law reflects his interest in aligning legal systems with modern neuroscience.
In addition to his scientific career, Eagleman is a successful author. His book Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain (2020) explores the concept of brain plasticity and has been praised for its accessible presentation of cutting-edge neuroscience. Another bestseller, Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain (2011), examines unconscious brain processes and has been hailed as a "shining example of clear and accessible science writing". Eagleman's fiction book SUM: Forty Tales from the Afterlives (2009) achieved international acclaim, was published in 32 languages and inspired an opera adaptation.
Eagleman has also contributed to science communication through the media. He created and hosted the PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman, which gave viewers insights into neuroscience and brain function. His Netflix documentary The Creative Brain further explored the themes of creativity and innovation.
Eagleman has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Claude Shannon Luminary Award from Bell Labs and the Science Educator Award from the Society for Neuroscience.
Photo credit: eagleman.com
