BIO
Ben Rein, PhD is a neuroscientist, author, and science educator. He is currently the Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation, a Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Buffalo, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University where he teaches How to Communicate Science alongside Dr. David Eagleman. Ben is also the author of Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, published by Penguin Random House (Oct 14, 2025). He has published over 20 peer-reviewed studies on the brain systems that guide social interactions, the neuroscience of empathy, the genetics of autism spectrum disorder, and virtual interactions. ​His research has received awards and recognition from the NIH, the Society for Neuroscience, Sigma Xi and elsewhere. To view and download his scientific papers, please visit the Research page.
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Outside of the lab, Ben creates educational science videos for an audience of more than 1 million social media followers. His videos summarize recent research papers, teach neuroscience basics, and debunk viral videos containing misinformation. They have received over 65 million views and been featured on Good Morning America, ABC News, and other major media outlets. Ben has been profiled by Popular Mechanics and Spectrum News, appeared on Entertainment Tonight, and joined over 50 podcasts including StarTalk with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Ben's science communication has been recognized with awards from the National Academies of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Neuroscience, Stanford University, and elsewhere. To learn more, please visit the Science Communication​ page.
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Ben is currently accepting speaking invitations. Please inquire using the contact form below.
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SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
In the video above (produced by Stanford University) Ben explains the "why" behind his science communication. Ben believes that science should be more clear and accessible to the public. His educational videos have been viewed more than 60 million times on social media, and have been featured in New York Post, Good Morning America, ABC News, and elsewhere.
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FEATURED PAPERS
Please visit the publications page for a complete list of papers.
MDMA Enhances Empathy-Like Behaviors in Mice via 5-HT Release in the Nucleus Accumbens
CELL
SCIENCE
ADVANCES
NEUROSCIENCE
Rein B, Raymond K, Boustani C, Tuy S, Zhang J, St. Laurent R, Pomrenze MP, Boroon P, Heifets B, Smith ML, Malenka RC. (2024)
Rein B (2023).
Rein B (2022).
Making Science Education
More Accessible: A Case Study
of TikTok's Utility as a Science
Communication Tool
PUBLIC
SPEAKING
Ben is currently accepting speaking invitations.
If you are interested in having Ben speak at your event, please inquire using the contact form below.​​
