Dr David Spiegel is a psychiatrist and researcher who is well known in both national and international circles. He is a leading expert on hypnosis's clinical and therapeutic use; he also specializes in stress, pain, anxiety, cancer progression, and response to trauma.

Dr Spiegel holds several positions at Stanford University School of Medicine, including Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Across a career spanning more than 40 years, Dr Spiegel has published 13 books, over 400 journal articles, and over 170 book chapters. He has received many prestigious awards for his work, while his research has been funded by organizations including the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Cancer Institute.

Dr Spiegel is a former president of the American College of Psychiatrists and was invited to deliver a talk at the World Economic Forum at Davos in 2018.