Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD is a distinguished professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. She is also the Co-founder of the Foundation for Social Connection, the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, and The Connection Institute.

Dr. Holt-Lunstad is internationally recognized for her pioneering research on social connection and health, including seminal findings showing that lacking social connection is a major risk factor for premature mortality comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. She is recognized by Clarivate as one of the top 1% most influential scientists in the world.

She served as the lead author of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Isolation and Loneliness and advises global organizations, including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations, and OECD. Her work bridges science and policy to advance evidence-based action for a healthier, more connected society. Her TEDx talk and frequent media features have helped bring global attention to the critical role of social connection.