Dr. James H. Fallon

Dr. James Fallon is a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine, where he has served as Chairman of the University Faculty and Chair and President of the School of Medicine Faculty. Dr. Fallon received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, followed by a Masters Degree in Psychology and Psychophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. He concluded Ph.D. studies in Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, as well as postdoctoral training in Chemical Neuroanatomy at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Fallon is a Sloan Scholar, Senior Fulbright Fellow, National Institutes of Health Career Development Awardee, as well as a recipient of a variety of honorary degrees and awards.

Among his many significant contributions to neuroscience, Dr. Fallon has lectured and written on topics such as the law and the brain, consciousness, and the brain of the psychopathic murderer. Additionally, he is a pioneer in the study of the distribution of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and endorphins in the brain. Dr. Fallon has written extensively on schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and nicotine and cocaine addiction.

He has appeared on numerous documentaries, radio, and TV shows. From 2007-2009, he appeared on the History Channel series on science and technology, CNN, PBS, BBC, and ABC for his work on stem cells, growth factors, psychopathology, tissue engineering, smart prostheses, schizophrenia, and human and animal behavior and disease. In 2009, he appeared as himself on the CBS crime drama series Criminal Minds, where the show explored his theory of trans-generational violence in areas of the world that experience continuous bouts of terrorism, war, and violence. In a related story, Dr. Fallon and his family underwent functional brain imaging and genetic analyses for potential violence-related brain and genetic patterns.