Michael L. Platt

Michael L. Platt is the James S. Riepe University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania with appointments across three schools: the Perelman School of Medicine (Department of Neuroscience), The Wharton School (Department of Marketing), and the School of Arts & Sciences (Department of Psychology). His interdisciplinary work bridges neuroscience, business, and social behavior, focusing on how biological mechanisms underlie decision-making and social interactions with implications for health, welfare, and business worldwide.

Dr. Platt received his academic training at:

• BA in Biomedical Anthropology from Yale University
• Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania

Platt's research focuses on the biological mechanisms of decision-making and social interaction, with particular interest in how brain science can inform business practices. His lab studies animal learning and behavior, control of action, decision processes, and individual differences in behavior genetics. A key area of investigation is how social connections shape brain structure and function, with research extending to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. His work applies insights from brain science to business domains including branding, marketing, management, finance, innovation, and elite performance, with sports serving as a key validation environment.

Analysis of Platt's recent publications reveals a strong focus on social behavior in primates, particularly how social connections affect brain structure, immune function, and aging. His research increasingly integrates field studies with cutting-edge genomic and neural techniques, examining how environmental factors and social networks impact biological outcomes. A notable trend is the application of primate research to human conditions, with growing attention to the 'epidemic of despair' and declining human fertility, demonstrating the translational potential of his work.

Dr. Platt has received numerous scientific honors:

• MERIT award from the National Institute of Mental Health (awarded and renewed)
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow
• Master Teacher/Clinician Award from the Duke University School of Medicine
• Teaching Commitment and Curricular Innovation Award from the Wharton School

Platt has advised numerous students and researchers, including Psychology graduate student Yufan Ye. His research has been generously supported by prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health, Klingenstein Foundation, McDonnell Foundation, EJLB Foundation, Simons Foundation, Kaufman Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Corporate partners have included Vanguard, Mars, Slalom, Glassview, Fox Media, and the Philadelphia Flyers. He directs the Platt Labs research group and the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative (WiN), which connects brain science with business applications through executive education courses like 'Neuroscience of Business.'

The Platt Labs operate across multiple domains, studying decision-making ('How We Decide'), social connections ('How We Connect'), exploration and learning ('How We Explore & Learn'), business applications ('Business & Human Potential'), and health ('Health & Wellbeing'). His team conducts field research on Cayo Santiago ('Monkey Island') in Puerto Rico, studying free-ranging rhesus macaques, particularly following Hurricane Maria's impact. The lab has developed innovative methods including portable EEG technology for real-world brain monitoring and has co-founded the neurotechnology company Cogwear Technologies Inc., demonstrating the translational impact of his research.