معرفی
Mary Poffenroth is a Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at San Jose State University within the College of Science. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Fielding Graduate University and advanced degrees in biology, psychology, and science communication from Imperial College London and San Jose State University.
- Ph.D., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University
- M.A., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University
- MSc, Science Communication with Merit Honors, Imperial College London
- M.S., Biological Sciences, San Jose State University
Her research and professional work focus on the intersection of fear science, media psychology, and science communication. She specializes in how media and augmented reality can be used to reduce non-clinical fear, particularly among historically underserved students in online classrooms. Her work has been featured in major media outlets including TIME, Forbes, Science, Entrepreneur, and National Geographic.
Mary is a sought-after speaker and educator, having delivered talks at TEDx London, Harvard, and SXSW. She is the author of Write Present Create: Science Communication for Undergraduates and Brave New You, where she shares neurohacks and strategies for transforming fear into courage and innovation. Her public engagement includes workshops, immersive experiences, and media appearances that translate complex psychological and biological concepts into accessible, actionable tools.
She began her science career at NASA Ames Research Center, working on payload experiments for STS-107, and has taught over 20,000 students since 2007 in courses such as Biology 10, Biology 21, and GLST 167. While her public output is extensive, no peer-reviewed research articles are listed in the provided materials.
Mary has received recognition as a Salzburg Global Fellow, underscoring her impact in global dialogue and leadership. She does not appear to supervise formal graduate students or lead a research lab, but her educational initiatives and speaking engagements have influenced thousands across academic, corporate, and public audiences.
- Salzburg Global Fellow
Mary Poffenroth is an active educator and science communicator, contributing to innovation in teaching, emotional resilience, and public understanding of science. Her work bridges academia and public impact, emphasizing courageous living, effective communication, and the science of fear.
