The Biology of Love

What is the talk about?

What does science say about love and long-term relationships? In the next Hot Science – Cool Talks event, biologist Dr. Steven Phelps explores the biology of love through the surprising world of prairie voles, one of the few monogamous mammals. By studying how vole brains form lasting bonds, Dr. Phelps reveals what biology, brain chemistry, and evolution can teach us about human connection, trust, and commitment. This engaging talk offers a fresh, science-based look at why we pair up right after Valentines Day! This is a featured event in the 2026 Texas Science Festival. Environmental Science Institute is a proud partner of the Festival, organized by The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. Cool Activity List available here!     Image Credit: Aubrey Kelly.

About our presenter

Steven Phelps

Steven Phelps is a Professor of Integrative Biology and the co-founder of the Center for Brain, Behavior and Evolution. His research, funded by NSF, NIH, and National Geographic, focuses on social cognition, brain evolution, and gene regulation. Phelps earned his PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of Texas in 1999 and completed predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the NSF Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, supported by the NIH.