Dana Suskind, M.D.

Dana Suskind, MD (FAN ’15, ’22), is founder and co-director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, founding director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and professor of surgery, pediatrics, and public policy (affiliated) at the University of Chicago. She has dedicated her research and clinical life to optimizing foundational brain development and preventing early cognitive disparities from taking root, with an emphasis on helping parents and caregivers leverage their power as brain architects. Her pioneering research extends into the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and early childhood, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance, not replace, the pivotal role that caregivers play in building healthy young brains that are wired to learn, adapt, and connect.

Suskind is a recognized thought leader on the national stage and celebrated New York Times bestselling author of Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain and Parent Nation: Unlocking Every Child’s Potential, Fulfilling Society’s Promise. Her new book, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI was released in July 2026.