Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, & Director of the Social Connection Lab, Brigham Young University

Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, where she directs the Social Connections Lab. She is the founding scientific chair and board member of the U.S. Foundation for Social Connection and the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection.

Dr. Holt-Lunstad is a leading expert on the impact of social connection on health, with groundbreaking research showing that social isolation and loneliness are major risk factors for early mortality. As the lead scientific editor for a US Surgeon General’s Advisory and National Strategy, she is dedicated to translating research into actionable strategies.
Dr. Holt-Lunstad has provided expert testimony to the US Senate and advised global organizations like the WHO, OECD, and European Joint Research Council. Her insights are regularly featured in major media outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, BBC, and Scientific American, making her a leading voice in the conversation on social connection.