Anjan Chatterjee

Anjan Chatterjee is a Professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as the founding Director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. He holds academic positions in the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and the Center for Functional Neuroimaging. His research integrates behavioral and cognitive neuroscience with neuroaesthetics, focusing on spatial cognition, language, and visual perception. Chatterjee earned his BA in Philosophy from Haverford College and an MD from the University of Pennsylvania.

Research Interests emphasize the neural underpinnings of attention, metaphor processing, and aesthetic judgment. He chairs Neurology at Pennsylvania Hospital and leads the Penn Neurology VR Lab, which explores virtual reality applications in neuroscience. Notable awards include the Norman Geschwind Prize and Rudolph Arnheim Prize, recognizing contributions to behavioral neurology and psychology of the arts.

• Education: BA (Haverford College), MD (University of Pennsylvania)
• Leadership Roles: Past President of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics and Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Society
• Publications: Authored The Aesthetic Brain and co-edited key texts in neuroethics and cognitive neuroscience history.

His work bridges clinical practice, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with ongoing projects on facial anomalies, architectural aesthetics, and biophilic design. Labs include the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics and collaborations with artists like David Dempewolf and Judith Schaechter.