Mary-Frances O'Connor

Eric Godoy

Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book "The Grieving Brain" was included on Oprah’s list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O’Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Her new book is "The Grieving Body."

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Communities: Arizona Author, Tucsonan, LGBTQ+

In My time of Dying

Bestselling author Sebastian Junger sits down with neuroscientist Mary-Frances O'Connor to discuss his scientific and philosophical journey after a near death experience that resulted in his most recent book.

Science City - Main Stage (Seats 195)  
Sun, Mar 16, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Science / Medicine / Technology
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Science City (following presentation)  

Panelist: Sebastian Junger
Moderator: Mary-Frances O'Connor

Navigating Care and Loss

Physician-author Gold and scientist-author O'Connor sit down with Weil Center medical director Stephen Dahmer to share their understanding into the physical and emotional toll caused by grief and caring for others, and to discuss insights improving overall well-being.

Science City - Main Stage (Seats 195)  
Sun, Mar 16, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Science / Medicine / Technology
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Science City (following presentation)  

Panelists: Jessi Gold, Mary-Frances O'Connor
Moderator: Stephen Dahmer, MD

Books:

The Grieving Body

How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing
Science / Medicine / Technology
HarperCollins Publishers
February 2025
ISBN 9780063338906
288 pages

The Grieving Brain

The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss
Science / Medicine / Technology
HarperCollins Publishers
February 2023
ISBN 9780062946249
256 pages