Paul J. Zak is a pioneering American neuroeconomist and professor at Claremont Graduate University, recognized as one of the world’s most cited scientists in his field, with over 200 published papers and more than 20,000 citations. He is widely credited with helping to found the interdisciplinary fields of neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing, which bridge neuroscience and economics to better understand human behavior in social, organizational, and market contexts.

Zak’s research has taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms and even to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, all in pursuit of understanding the neurological mechanisms behind trust, cooperation, and extraordinary human experiences.

Zak is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking work on the neurochemical oxytocin, which he identified as a key driver of trust, empathy, and moral behavior in humans. His findings have had significant implications, not only for academic understanding but also for practical applications in business and public policy—his insights have been used by organizations like the World Bank and major corporations to foster trust and improve performance.

Zak is the author of several influential books, including The Little Book of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Living Better (2025); The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity (2012), Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High Performance Companies (2017), and Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and Source of Happiness (2022), each of which explores how neuroscience can be used to enhance personal well-being, organizational culture, and customer engagement. Beyond academia, Zak is a sought-after public speaker, frequent media commentator, and entrepreneur, having founded Immersion Neuroscience, a company that measures audience engagement using neurophysiological data.

In 2024, Zak launched his latest venture, SIX—a digital health and wellness platform and app that leverages wearable technology and decades of neuroscience research to help users track and optimize their “Key Moments” of emotional fitness and fulfillment.