Dr. Matthew Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. Originally trained as a medical student in the UK, Walker’s fascination with the brain and persistent questioning led him to shift his focus to neuroscience, where he became an “accidental sleep researcher” during his PhD at London’s Medical Research Council. Over the past two decades, he and his team have investigated the critical role sleep plays in health, memory, learning, emotional regulation, and disease prevention. 

Walker is best known for his internationally bestselling book Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams (2017), which explores the profound impact of sleep on the human brain and body, while warning of the wide-reaching dangers of sleep deprivation—including its links to Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book became a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller and sparked global conversation about the modern sleep crisis. 

In addition to his academic research, Walker is a sought-after speaker and science communicator known for making complex neuroscience approachable. His work has appeared in major media outlets and influenced public health policy, corporate wellness programs, and individual sleep habits around the world.