Dr. Franssen is a multi-faceted expert who has made a career of investigating and sharing fascinatingly useful information.

Scientist

Dr. Catherine Franssen earned a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College. She has over 20 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Nature, Brain Research, Stress, and Physiology & Behavior. Her scientific work has been referenced in multiple popular press books. Constantly curious, Dr. Franssen enjoys collaborative work and new ventures.

Teacher

Dr. Franssen’s exuberant passion for neuroscience has been aimed at the university level for much of the last 20 years. As a higher educational specialist, Dr. Franssen has taught at five universities in biology, psychology, and business departments, with excellent reviews from students and colleagues. Her interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience has resulted in the development of new degree-granting programs and she has published multiple journal articles and book chapters on teaching neuroscience, psychology, and animal behavior.

Media Commentator

Dr. Franssen’s ability to clearly apply cutting-edge neuroscience to everyday life has led to hundreds of interviews for print, podcasts, television, radio, and more. Recent quotes appear in CNN, Washington Post, and Reader’s Digest. Journalists love talking with Catherine for succinct quotes and for unexpected twists that flesh out articles.

Writer

Dr. Franssen’s exciting voice gently weaves science into everyday decision-making. She has authored articles for CNN Business, MSN, Salon, HuffPost, Parents, The Walrus, Scientific American, and other major publications. She is currently writing her first book.

Speaker

From classrooms to cocktail parties, Dr. Franssen shares the joy and wonder of the brain and human behavior. Catherine brings both fun and mindfulness to every event. She captivates crowds of any size, from 7 to 700, drawing on experience built from 20 years of speaking to university audiences combined with community and college theatre experience.

Mom

Dr. Franssen and her developmental biologist husband have both studied the neurobiology of parenthood professionally… and personally. They have two daughters who continually provide new adventures in parenting that inspire Dr. Franssen to weave neuroscience into everyday hilarious stories and poignant life lessons.

“My passion is using neuroscience to improve daily life, promote well-being, and enhance mental health.”

Neuroscience for Everyone.

Dr. Catherine Franssen can’t stop telling people about the brain. She loves to find ways to leverage the power of neuroscience to help professionals, athletes, and everyone else overcome the challenges they face daily.

Special thank you to the Longwood University Athletic department for allowing recording during Spring 2024 workshops.

Video credit: Alexandra Huerta, ‘26 Longwood University Comm. Studies

  • “Dr. Catherine Franssen is brilliantly insightful, interesting, and wise. She has basically made a career of answering all those questions we have ever had about why we do the things we do – so cool!!”

    — Georgia Van Cuylenburg (actress, producer, writer)

  • “She’s kinda like a scientific superhero whose power is to tell people information they didn’t know they needed.”

    Student

  • “Dr. Franssen is like a nerdy hippie. She tells you to love yourself and then explains all the scientific details of why and how.”

    Student