Helen Fisher

As a distinguished biological anthropologist, Helen Fisher, along with her collaborators, was the first to utilize MRI technology to confirm that romantic love is hard-wired in the human brain. This groundbreaking research formed the core of her extensive work on the biological underpinnings of human mating and relationships. Fisher earned her Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1975, following an M.A.

Fisher continued to expand her influential theories, most notably with her 2004 book, ‘Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love.’ This seminal work introduced her widely recognized theory of three core brain systems for mating and reproduction: lust, attraction, and attachment, proposing these distinct neural systems as critical for human relationships. Her innovative approach extended into practical applications when she joined Match.com in 2005 as chief science adviser. In this role, she was instrumental in developing Chemistry.com, an online dating platform that directly incorporated her research on personality and hormone-based matching systems, impacting how millions sought connections. A prolific author, Fisher published six books and numerous articles in prestigious scientific journals including the Journal of Neurophysiology and Human Nature.

Her commitment to advancing understanding in this field culminated in the completion of the manuscript for her final work, ‘Thinking Four Ways: How to Connect With Anyone Using Neuroscience,’ in 2024.