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Bill Sullivan Ph.D.

About

Bill Sullivan, Ph.D., is the author of Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are. He is an award-winning professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he studies genetics and infectious disease. He received his Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania and has published dozens of papers in scientific journals. A contributor to National Geographic, Discover, Scientific American, Scientific American Mind, Cosmos, A Science Enthusiast, Salon.com, and more, he has also been interviewed by CNN, the Wall Street Journal, the Indianapolis Star, Science Fantastic with Dr. Michio Kaku, The Naked Scientists, and The Scientist.

Photo by Eric Schoch

Books by Bill Sullivan Ph.D.

Recent Posts

Manage the Stress of COVID-19 with Stoicism

The ancient Stoics devised useful psychological tools that can help you manage the stress of the pandemic.

The ancient Stoics devised useful psychological tools that can help you manage the stress of the pandemic.

Divided We Fall: How to Mend Political Differences

What created America’s political divide and how can we fix it?

What created America’s political divide and how can we fix it?

Can “Tiger King” Madness Be Explained by a "Cat" Parasite?

“Tiger King” madness: Can it be explained by a parasite we get from cats?

“Tiger King” madness: Can it be explained by a parasite we get from cats?

Here’s Why You Should Stop Searching for a Soul Mate

The idea that there is one perfect person for you puts love in jeopardy.

The idea that there is one perfect person for you puts love in jeopardy.

The Truth About Lying and What It Does to the Body

In the movie "Knives Out," lying makes Marta vomit. Can that really happen?

In the movie "Knives Out," lying makes Marta vomit. Can that really happen?

Break All Your Bad Habits with This One Good Habit

Everyone has bad habits. Here's a simple brain hack to help you break them.

Everyone has bad habits. Here's a simple brain hack to help you break them.

Halloween Monsters Provide Teachable Moments

Are your kids too scared to sleep on Halloween night? Teaching them the fascinating science behind monster legends can help.

Are your kids too scared to sleep on Halloween night? Teaching them the fascinating science behind monster legends can help.

Culturomics: Using Big Data to Study Human Behavior

Google has scanned 30 million books. What secrets can they reveal about us?

Google has scanned 30 million books. What secrets can they reveal about us?

Why Do We Love The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper?

He’s annoying. He’s self-centered. He’s rude. So why does Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang Theory" fascinate us?

He’s annoying. He’s self-centered. He’s rude. So why does Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang Theory" fascinate us?

Dear Dr. Melfi: Regarding Your Patient, Mr. Tony Soprano

It's been 20 years since the debut of The Sopranos. Is science closer to explaining Tony Soprano’s behavior?

It's been 20 years since the debut of The Sopranos. Is science closer to explaining Tony Soprano’s behavior?

November 2024 magazine cover

The Perfectionism Trap

When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we’re honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we’re really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires.

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