معرفی
Mary H Poffenroth is a Lecturer in Biological Sciences at San José State University (SJSU), where she has taught over 20,000 students since 2007. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, an M.A. in Media Psychology, an MSc in Science Communication (Imperial College London), and an M.S. in Biological Sciences (SJSU). Her research focuses on fear science, media psychology, and science communication. She designed and implemented five online general education courses at SJSU, including Biology 10, and created an outdoor volunteer program involving 5,000 students. A Salzburg Global Fellow, she has spoken at TEDx London, Harvard, and SXSW, and her work appears in outlets like TIME, Forbes, and National Geographic.
- Education: Ph.D. Psychology (Fielding Graduate University), M.A. Psychology (Fielding), MSc Science Communication (Imperial College London), M.S. Biological Sciences (SJSU)
- Research Interests: Fear science, innovation, climate change communication, media psychology, and organismal ecology of mammals
- Affiliations: SJSU, NASA Ames Research Center (early career), LinkedIn, Twitter, and her personal website
Her current book, Brave New You, explores neurohacks to manage fear and live courageously. She advises organizations on fear-based decision-making and hosts workshops on innovation and team resilience. Her work bridges science communication with practical tools for personal and professional growth.
Mary’s advocacy spans fear science education, mental health, and science literacy, with a focus on empowering underserved communities through accessible, evidence-based strategies.
