Oakley is the author of “Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed, and My Sister Stole My Mother’s Boyfriend” and at 7:30 p.m. today she will be at Schuler Books & Music, 2820 Towne Center Blvd., to speak and sign copies.

Oakley, who has been an associate professor of engineering at Oakland University since 1998, said her background has made her curious about the neurological connection to moral affliction.

“This book is for everyone who has known someone that has hurt them for no real reason,” Oakley said.

Her findings link past studies of neuroscience to evil, relating deception and moral character to genetics and environment in a way Oakley said is comprehensive for anyone.

Oakley links the fall of Enron, Hitler’s regime and Kosovo dictator Slobodan Milosevic to her sister who stole her mother’s boyfriend and fled with him to Paris. She said she found possible common answers for their vindictiveness.

Oakley said she dedicates her book to those who wonder how someone could do such evil things to good-natured people.

The emphasis on the incident with Oakley’s family draws Oakley very intimately into this study, causing her to relate the situation to world dictators and morally challenged individuals alike.

“Essentially, some people naturally are unable to be trusted, although they appear to be rational actors,” Oakley said. “The reality is that some are just wired differently. There are many different genes that play a role just as the concept of nature versus nurture, so a lot of times they can’t help it.”