Brian Wansink is a consumer behavior researcher and former professor who explores the hidden factors that influence eating habits. He is best known for his work on environmental and psychological cues that lead to mindless eating behaviors. His book "Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think" presents research on portion sizes, packaging, and social influences on food consumption. Wansink founded the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, where he conducted numerous studies on eating behavior. Though his career has been controversial due to research methodology concerns, his work popularized awareness of unconscious eating patterns and environmental design's role in dietary choices.