Robert Sapolsky, born on April 6, 1957, is an American neuroendocrinologist, primatologist, and author. He is the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor of Biological Sciences and professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University. Additionally, he is a research associate with the National Museums of Kenya. Sapolsky's research primarily focuses on the impact of stress on the brain, particularly the ability of glucocorticoids, hormones secreted during stress, to damage neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory. He also investigates gene therapy strategies for protecting susceptible neurons from disease.
Sapolsky gained recognition for his long-term study of a baboon troop in East Africa since 1978, providing insights into the relationship between social hierarchy, stress, and health in primates. He is known for his engaging and accessible writing style, making complex scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience. His notable books include "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," "A Primate's Memoir," "Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst," and "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will". "Behave" and "Determined" were New York Times bestsellers. In 2024, he launched a series of Father-Offspring Interviews on YouTube and Spotify with his daughter Rachel.
