Lisa Genova, Ph.D.

Lisa Genova, Ph.D. graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard University.

​Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Genova has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neuroscience and the human spirit. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Every Note Played.

Still Alice was adapted into a film and Julianne Moore won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. Film adaptations for Left Neglected, Inside the O’Briens, and Every Note Played are in development.

Her first work of nonfiction, Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, published March 2021, was an instant New York Times bestseller.

In 2015, Genova was named one of the U.S. Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. She has appeared on Live with Kelly & Ryan, the TODAY show, CNN, PBS Newshour, and NPR and has been featured in the PBS special Build a Better Memory Through Science and documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg.

Her first TED talk, “What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s,” has been viewed over eight million times.  Her most recent TED talk, “How Memory Works–and Why Forgetting is Totally OK,” was the sixth most-watched TED talk of 2021.

She received The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for “distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue,” The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award, The Global Genes RARE Champions of Hope Award, and The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Media Award for “informing the public about treatment and ongoing research in medical illness.”

She has received an honorary doctorate from Bates College, The Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Award, The Huntington’s Disease Society of America Community Awareness Award, and the Grubby Award for literary excellence.​

She serves on the advisory boards for The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, HFC (Hilarity for Charity), and Compassionate Care ALS.