Emily McDonald

Emily McDonald is a neuroscientist, media personality, and entrepreneur known by her online moniker Emonthebrain. McDonald earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in neuroscience from the University of Arizona. Her early academic career included research lab work focused on scanning children's brains and studying learning and memory. After beginning a doctoral program, McDonald transitioned from academia to public science communication, launching the Emonthebrain platform to make brain science accessible to a broad audience.

McDonald has established a significant digital presence in neuroscience education, with more than 2 million followers on Instagram and over 800,000 on TikTok. Her content, which has generated more than 100 million views, centers on cognitive neuroscience, brain health, neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, and psychological habits. She is the founder and CEO of MindCraft, a coaching program and method that integrates neuroscience-based strategies with mindset transformation to help individuals address self-limiting patterns. Her book, "MindCraft," presents her method for applying neuroscience to personal development.

McDonald’s expertise in neuroscience and science communication has led to features in The New York Times, Newsweek, Business Insider, The Independent, ScienceAlert, Daily Mail, New York Post, and Poosh. She has appeared on broadcast programs including "The Jennifer Hudson Show," where she discussed brain health and mental health, and "Inspired Delusions" by iHeartRadio. On "The Jennifer Hudson Show," she facilitated a $10,000 donation on behalf of Denny's to the Aoki Foundation in support of brain science research and regenerative medicine.

In addition to her media work, McDonald hosts the podcast "Planet Em," which examines the intersection of science and personal development, providing research-based tools for emotional regulation and subconscious reprogramming. She also works as an independent consultant for entrepreneurs, scientists, and companies, and conducts research in neuroscience. McDonald is recognized for translating scientific concepts into practical insights for audiences interested in brain science, cognitive health, and personal growth.