Jaak Panksepp

Introduction:
Jaak Panksepp was an Estonian-born American psychologist, psychobiologist, and neuroscientist, widely known for his groundbreaking research on the emotional lives of animals. He spent a significant portion of his career studying laughter in non-human animals, and his work has helped us understand the ways in which emotions and social bonds are foundational to all animal life.

Background and Education:
Jaak Panksepp was born in Tartu, Estonia on June 5th, 1943, before eventually moving to the United States with his family. After finishing high school in California, he attended Whittier College for his undergraduate degree, before earning both his Masters and PhD in experimental psychology from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1969.

Career:
Throughout his career, Panksepp served as a professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University, Washington State University, and finally as the Baily Endowed Chair of Animal Well-Being Science at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Major Achievements:
Panksepp was widely known for his research on the emotional states of animals, and his experiments with rats played a significant role in the evolution of affective neuroscience as a field. In particular, Panksepp became famous for his study of what he referred to as the "laughter" of rats, a high-pitched noise that the animals make when they are playing with each other in a pleasurable manner. In 2012, Panksepp co-wrote the book "The Archaeology of Mind: Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotion", which explored the evolutionary origins of human emotions.

Personality and Motivation:
Panksepp was known for his passion and dedication to his work, which was driven by a deep curiosity about the emotional lives of animals. He was known for being kind-hearted and compassionate, and he cared deeply about improving the welfare of animals in captivity.

Before Fame:
Growing up as an immigrant to the United States, Panksepp faced many challenges in his early years. However, his curiosity and intelligence helped him overcome these difficulties, and he quickly excelled academically.

Family Life:
Panksepp was married to Anesa Miller, who was also a professor of psychology, and together they had three children.

Linked to Other People in the Industry:
Throughout his career, Panksepp worked closely with many other prominent scientists who shared his passion for understanding the emotional lives of animals. He was particularly close to his friend and colleague Stanley Greenspan, who was also a leading expert in developmental psychology.