The Moral Molecule

Professor Paul Zak

In conversation with Zachary First

Paul Zak is a scientist, prolific author, entrepreneur, TV personality, and public speaker. He is the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomic Studies and professor of economics, psychology and management at Claremont Graduate University.

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Continental Breakfast & Networking: 7:45-8:30 a.m.

Forum: 8:30-9:30 a.m. 

Admission is FREE, but RSVPs are required.

KPCC's Crawford Family Forum

474 South Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, California 91105

Paul J. Zak is a scientist, prolific author, entrepreneur, TV personality, and public speaker. He is the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and professor of economics, psychology and management at Claremont Graduate University. Zak also serves as professor of neurology at Loma Linda University Medical Center and is a senior researcher at UCLA.

He has degrees in mathematics and economics from San Diego State University, a PhD in economics from University of Pennsylvania, and post-doctoral training in neuroimaging from Harvard University. He is credited with the first published use of the term "neuroeconomics" and has been a vanguard in this new discipline. He organized and administers the first doctoral program in neuroeconomics in the world at Claremont Graduate University.

Zak is a recognized expert in oxytocin. His lab discovered in 2004 that oxytocin allows us to determine who to trust. His current research is showing that oxytocin is responsible for virtuous behaviors, working as the brain's "moral molecule." This knowledge is being used to understand the basis for civilization and modern economies, improve negotiations, and treat patients with neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

Zachary First is managing director of the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University.

First joined the Drucker Institute in 2007 as its second full-time employee. He now leads the design and delivery of the institute’s executive forums and advising practice, oversees its licensing and business development, and shares responsibility with the executive director for its strategy and finances.

He came to the Drucker Institute after a 10-year career in higher education research and administration. He served as the inaugural assistant dean at Olin College, which was founded in 2000 with a $430 million gift from the F. W. Olin Foundation, in order to reinvent engineering education.

First received his BA in philosophy from Haverford College, and his masters and doctorate degrees in higher education from Harvard University. His doctoral dissertation research focused on the connection between presidential tactics and college and university performance. He is a fellow of the National Forum on the Future of Liberal Education and a trustee of the Children’s Center at Caltech, a nonprofit that provides early childhood and preschool education to the Caltech and Pasadena communities.

The Drucker Business Forum is produced by the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. The series is co-presented by KPCC.

For parking information and directions visit: http://www.scpr.org/forum/directions/.