Randolph M. Nesse

About the Author

Randolph M. Nesse is a pioneering psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist whose groundbreaking work has reshaped our understanding of health and illness through the lens of Darwinian principles. As a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, he has spent decades exploring why the human body is vulnerable to disease, challenging traditional medical paradigms by integrating evolutionary theory into clinical practice. His seminal book, Why We Get Sick: The New Science of Darwinian Medicine, co-authored with George C. Williams, illuminates how natural selection has shaped our defenses, defenses that often backfire in modern environments, leading to conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Nesse's research extends to evolutionary psychiatry, advocating for a holistic approach that considers our ancestral past to improve future health outcomes. A prolific speaker and mentor, he continues to influence medicine, biology, and public health with his insightful, evidence-based perspectives.