Frances E. Jensen

Dr. Frances E. Jensen is an American neurologist, neuroscientist, and professor who serves as the chair of the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on synaptic plasticity, epilepsy, and adolescent brain development.

She is best known as the author of the bestselling book The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults (co-authored with Amy Ellis Nutt). Her work translates complex neurobiological findings into practical insights for parents and educators.

Dr. Jensen’s public advocacy has fundamentally shifted how society understands adolescent behavior, cognition, and vulnerability to stress. Her research continues to bridge the gap between brain science and child development policy.