Mark Guadagnoli

Mark Guadagnoli is a Professor of Neuroscience and Neurology at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he also serves as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Director of Learning & Performance. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of the school's Intersession program, designed to enhance medical student learning, communication, life skills, and specialized curricula across the medical education continuum.

His research centers on the Challenge Point Framework, a model he developed to optimize learning and performance in high-pressure environments. This framework has been applied across diverse fields including medicine, athletics, and corporate leadership. His expertise spans cognitive psychology, memory, attention, information processing, and performance optimization. His work emphasizes how appropriately calibrated challenges can lead to durable, stress-resistant learning outcomes.

Dr. Guadagnoli has authored over 100 articles and abstracts, as well as two influential books: Human Learning: Biology, Brain, and Neuroscience and Practice to Learn, Play to Win. His research has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, Golf Digest, and on the History Channel and CBS Sports. He has presented his work at leading institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, UCLA, and USC, and internationally in Canada, China, France, Germany, and Scotland.

Scientific Awards:

• Student of the Year
• Teacher of the Year
• Faculty of the Year
• Researcher of the Year

Dr. Guadagnoli has also collaborated with elite performance groups, including the USA Olympic Elite Track and Field Coaches, PGA, and LPGA, applying his models to athlete development. He has consulted with industry leaders such as Zappos to improve learning, communication, and leadership. His interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, education, and real-world application.

No specific laboratory or research team is mentioned in the text, but his leadership in the Intersession program suggests he oversees an educational innovation team focused on medical student development.