Brief Introduction of Sue Smalley
Dr. Sue Smalley is a distinguished American behavioral geneticist, neuroscientist, writer, and activist, renowned for her significant contributions to the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of childhood-onset behavior disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. For three decades, she was a respected professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A pivotal shift in her career led her to explore the science of mindfulness, culminating in the establishment of the acclaimed UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). Dr. Smalley is also the co-author of the influential book, “Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness.” Transitioning from academia, she has embraced roles as an investor and philanthropist, co-founding PTK Capital and the Bedari Kindness Institute at UCLA, continuing her life’s work of enhancing the human condition through science, compassion, and social impact.
Sue Smalley Overview
| Full Name | Susan L. Smalley |
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1955 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 70 |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Profession | Behavioral Geneticist, Writer, Activist, Investor, Professor Emerita |
| Husband/Wife | Kevin Wall |
| Family | Husband: Kevin Wall; Three children |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Information not disclosed. |
Early Life and Education of Sue Smalley
Sue Smalley was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and her formative years were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was during her high school years that she met her future husband, Kevin Wall. Her academic journey began at the University of Michigan, where she cultivated a keen interest in biological anthropology, population genetics, and human evolution. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology in 1976. Following her undergraduate studies, Smalley’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, she delved deeper into the burgeoning field of behavior genetics, a discipline that investigates the genetic influences on human behavior. Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of this field, she crafted a unique program of study that integrated courses from anthropology, biology, genetics, and psychology. She earned her Master of Arts in Anthropology from UCLA in 1981, and in 1985, she was awarded a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in population genetics. Her doctoral dissertation was a comprehensive study on the genetic influences on spatial ability, marking the beginning of a long and impactful career in genetic research.
Sue Smalley’s Career
Dr. Sue Smalley’s career is a testament to her intellectual curiosity and her dedication to understanding the complexities of the human mind and well-being. After completing post-doctoral fellowships in medical genetics and childhood psychopathology, she joined the faculty at UCLA, where she would spend the next three decades making groundbreaking contributions to the field of behavioral genetics. She progressed from an assistant professor to a full professor, eventually becoming a professor emerita in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences in 2011.
Early in her academic career, Dr. Smalley focused her research on autism. In 1988, she published a seminal review paper on the genetics of autism in JAMA Psychiatry, a publication that helped to shift the scientific understanding of the disorder’s origins. This work led to a significant grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the genetic determinants of autism. She pioneered an innovative approach to behavioral genetics by studying known genetic disorders with behavioral consequences, such as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), which has a higher incidence of autism. For the subsequent decade, her research produced numerous papers on the genetics and subclinical variations of autism.
Later, Dr. Smalley’s research focus shifted to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Her laboratory was highly productive, publishing over 40 papers on the disorder. A notable achievement was the first genome-wide scan for ADHD, conducted in collaboration with investigators at Oxford University. Her work also included candidate gene investigations and a series of studies on ADHD within a northern Finnish birth cohort. Dr. Smalley wrote extensively about the strengths associated with ADHD, reframing it not as a deficit but as a different way of thinking that includes traits like novelty-seeking.
A personal health challenge in 2002, a diagnosis of early-stage melanoma, marked a significant turning point in Dr. Smalley’s life and career. During a leave of absence, she explored non-western wellness practices and developed a deep personal meditation practice. This experience profoundly impacted her perspective and upon returning to UCLA, she began to scientifically investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on ADHD and other disorders. This new direction led to seminal studies on the relationship between mindfulness and personality traits common in individuals with ADHD, the use of mindfulness as an intervention for ADHD, and the implementation of mindfulness programs in schools.
Driven by her research and personal experience, Dr. Smalley founded the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. The center’s mission is to bring the practice of meditation to the general public through education and research. In 2010, she co-authored the book “Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness” with Diana Winston, the director of education at MARC. The book explores the scientific basis of meditation and offers practical guidance for developing a mindfulness practice. She has also been a regular contributor to publications like the Huffington Post and Psychology Today, sharing her insights on mindfulness and well-being.
After retiring from her full-time academic position at UCLA, Dr. Smalley transitioned into the worlds of investment and philanthropy. She is the co-founder of PTK Capital, a family investment fund that supports early-stage companies focused on enhancing the human condition in areas such as entertainment, food, and wellness. Her deep scientific expertise informs the fund’s investment strategy.
Continuing her commitment to promoting well-being, Dr. Smalley co-founded the Bedari Kindness Institute at UCLA, which aims to integrate scientific research with social impact to foster kindness in society. She serves as the chair of the institute’s Executive Committee. Additionally, she is an emeritus board member of Equality Now, a global organization that advocates for the rights of women and girls.
Sue Smalley Personal Life & Family
Sue Smalley is married to Kevin Wall, an accomplished entrepreneur, activist, and investor known for producing large-scale international benefit concerts like Live Earth and Live 8. They have been married for many years and have three children together. The family resides in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Smalley has written about her family life in her blog, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections, including her experiences as a mother and her travels with her family. Her husband’s journey with ADHD has also been a subject of her writing, where she offers a positive perspective on the condition, viewing it as a different way of thinking and processing the world that can bring unique strengths. Her personal life and family experiences have clearly influenced her professional interests and her compassionate approach to her work.
Awards and Achievements of Sue Smalley
- Professor Emerita: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
- Founder: UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
- Co-founder: Bedari Kindness Institute at UCLA and serves as the chair of its Executive Committee.
- Co-founder: PTK Capital, an investment fund focused on companies that benefit the human condition.
- Author: Co-authored the book “Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness.”
- Extensive Publications: Published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers on the genetics of human behavior, ADHD, autism, and the science of mindfulness.
- Keynote Speaker: Delivered keynote addresses at prestigious events, including the UCLA Department of Anthropology commencement ceremony in 2013 and the 2017 Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) annual conference.
- Board Memberships: Serves as an emeritus board member of Equality Now, a global organization advocating for the rights of women and girls.
- Honoree: Recognized by Equality Now as one of the 30 women and changemakers who have played a key role in making equality a reality.
Sue Smalley Net Worth and Income
The specific net worth of Sue Smalley is not publicly available. Her income is derived from multiple sources, including her past professorship at UCLA, book royalties from “Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness,” and her current role as a co-founder and partner at the investment firm PTK Capital. PTK Capital invests in early-stage companies and venture capital funds in the areas of entertainment, food, and wellness. The financial success of these investments contributes to her overall financial standing. Additionally, her husband, Kevin Wall, is a successful entrepreneur and investor, and their combined assets are likely substantial. However, a precise figure for Sue Smalley’s net worth as of 2025 has not been disclosed.
Legacy and Influence
Dr. Sue Smalley’s legacy is multifaceted, spanning the realms of behavioral genetics, mindfulness, and social activism. In the scientific community, she is recognized for her pioneering research that significantly advanced the understanding of the genetic basis of ADHD and autism. Her work helped to destigmatize these conditions by framing them not just as disorders but as variations in human cognition with unique strengths. The establishment of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) has had a profound impact, making mindfulness practices accessible to a wider audience and grounding them in scientific research. Through MARC and her book, “Fully Present,” she has been instrumental in popularizing mindfulness as a tool for well-being and mental health. Her transition from academia to venture capital and philanthropy demonstrates a commitment to applying her knowledge and resources to create positive change in the world. The co-founding of the Bedari Kindness Institute at UCLA further solidifies her legacy as a champion of compassion and human connection, backed by rigorous scientific inquiry. Through her work with Equality Now, she has also made significant contributions to the advancement of women’s and girls’ rights globally. Dr. Smalley’s career trajectory serves as an inspiring example of how scientific inquiry and personal experience can converge to create a powerful force for good in the world.
Interesting Facts about Sue Smalley
- She met her husband, Kevin Wall, during her first year of high school.
- Her personal experience with a melanoma diagnosis was a catalyst for her deep dive into mindfulness and meditation.
- She is a contributor to well-known publications such as the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.
- She co-founded the investment firm PTK Capital with her husband, which stands for People, Tech, and Kindness.
- She was instrumental in creating the annual “Make Equality Reality Gala” for the organization Equality Now, helping to raise millions of dollars for women’s and girls’ rights.
- She has a personal blog where she writes about a wide range of topics, from science and mindfulness to personal reflections on family and life.
- She has expressed in her writing that success in the mental health field is often a quiet, private affair between a clinician and a patient, without the external accolades common in other professions.
Controversies
There are no publicly known controversies associated with Dr. Sue Smalley.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Sue Smalley
Dr. Sue Smalley’s life and career are a powerful narrative of evolution, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity. From her foundational work in behavioral genetics that reshaped our understanding of ADHD and autism, to her pioneering efforts in bringing mindfulness into the scientific mainstream, she has consistently been at the forefront of exploring the human mind. Her current work as an investor and philanthropist through PTK Capital and the Bedari Kindness Institute demonstrates her enduring commitment to fostering a more compassionate and well world. As a professor emerita, author, and activist, Sue Smalley’s influence continues to be felt in the academic, wellness, and social justice communities. Her legacy is not only in her impressive body of research and the institutions she has built but also in her embodiment of a life dedicated to merging scientific rigor with profound human kindness.
