Richard H. Thaler, born in 1945, is an esteemed economist and the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Known for his pioneering work in behavioral economics, Thaler's research challenges traditional economic theories by incorporating psychology and human behavior into economic analysis. His groundbreaking book 'Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness,' co-authored with Cass Sunstein, popularized the concept of libertarian paternalism. Thaler's work has had a profound impact on both academia and public policy, earning him the 2017 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.