Joseph E. Ravenell, MD, is the Associate Dean for Diversity Affairs and Inclusion at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. He is also the director of diversity in research at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, and an Associate Professor at the Department of Population Health.
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., a Professor of Psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution was declared a “scientific entrepreneur” from the American Association of Psychology. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek piublished 17 books and 250+ publications. Her newest book Making Schools Work: Bringing the Science of Learning to Joyful Classroom Practice (2022) is the first education book co-written with teachers, administrators and scientists.
Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D., is the Dean of NYU’s College of Arts & Science and a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at the Center for Neural Science at NYU. Her work focuses on understanding how aerobic exercise can be used to improve learning, memory, and higher cognitive abilities in humans. Her TED Talk has over 16M views and her most recent book, Good Anxiety, was chosen for the Next Big Idea Club.
Velma L. Cobb, Ed.D., CPCC, ACC, is an Associate Professor at Touro University’s Graduate School of Education in New York, where she also directs the Lander Center for Educational Research. With over 35 years of experience across education, nonprofits, and government, she’s an ICF-certified leadership coach, CARE Mindfulness facilitator, and a licensed Bigger Game© trainer.
Natalie Brito, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at NYU. Her research explores how social and cultural contexts shape the trajectory of brain and behavioral development, with the goal of better understanding how to best support caregivers and create environments that foster healthy development.
Gigliana Melzi, Ph.D. is a Professor of Applied Psychology at NYU, who specializes in studying how cultural and linguistic practices influence the development and learning of young children from US Latine communities. Dr. Melzi’s recent work focuses on early STEM education for Latine children within family contexts.
Alexis D. Riley, Ph.D., is a teacher-educator, writer, and Stevie Wonder enthusiast. She is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at New York University-Steinhardt in the Teaching & Learning Department, in the Science Education Program. Alexis’ research has prioritized the legacy, innovations, and healing of Black women teachers by placing their instinctual and improvisational teaching skills at the center of science education.
Lorraine Martinez Hanley has been a diversity practitioner, an activist, and an educator for over 30 years. She is the Director of Professional Growth and Studies at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland and the Lead Researcher for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL).
Glenn Whitman is a History teacher and Executive Director of the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Glenn is the co-author of Neuroteach: Brain Science and the Future of Education.
Lauren Vega O’Neil, M.Ed., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Portland State University where she teaches in the Bilingual Teachers Pathway Program and the elementary licensure program. Dr. Vega O’Neil specializes in self-regulation, social-emotional development, and culturally-sustaining practices for both elementary-aged students and teacher candidates.
Christine M. McWayne, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. She is an applied developmental psychologist and a community-based educational researcher whose work has centered on fostering better understandings of the early social and learning successes of young children growing up in urban poverty.
Laura McGlinchey Akesson is a Ph.D. student in the Physics and Astronomy department at George Mason University with special interests in identity and belonging in Physics. She taught high school Physics, Math, and Biomedical Engineering/Design for 22 years in public, private, and international schools, most recently serving in the US Department of Energy as an Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow ‘22-’23.
Marsha Wallace is currently the Assistant Principal at The Salk School of Science in Manhattan. Prior to becoming assistant principal, Marsha has been an National Board certified educator for the past 29 years with a focus on STEM and special education in the middle grades. She was also a lead teacher with Urban Advantage, a coalition of NYC’s cultural institutions; and a master teacher Math For America.