PRODUCT DESIGN, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT & PARTNER SUCCESS TEAM

As Founder and Principal of Diverse Learners™ consulting, Bob brings 30+ years of experience as a neuroscientist and learning scientist with expertise in intelligent tutoring, instructional design, educational measurement, user experience design, and software development. Bob is working with Brain Explained in a variety of roles including user interface design, software development, and Founding Design Partner success team. His research and innovation efforts focus on the design and implementation of technology-based solutions, tools, and processes in education and medicine, with specific emphasis on advanced data analytics to enable adaptive and accessible solutions for neurodiverse users, including those with disabilities. Bob was a Sr. Research Scientist at CAST, the originator of UDL, and Pearson, the world's largest learning company. He has served as principal investigator on research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and private foundations.  Bob also serves as adjunct professor at Landmark College where he teaches educators about learning technologies appropriate for diverse learners. Bob received his Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT in 1992.

ILLUSTRATION

Kefira is a digital artist in the Bay Area with expertise in 2D Animation, digital illustration, comics, and storyboards. She has been working with Brain Explained, illustrating our surveys. She is a 2024 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor's in 2D Animation.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & COACHING PROGRAM DESIGN

Kara provides executive functioning coaching and academic counseling for young adults who have ADHD or dyslexia, aiming to improve academic efficiency through executive skill development. Kara is an instructional designer and writer for Brain Explained, designing the product, launching our coaching program,  and is an author on our upcoming books.  As a Learning Specialist at the Schwab Learning Center, She worked with Stanford University students suspected or diagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia, aiming to improve academic efficiency through executive skill development. She has extensive experience supporting diverse populations, including non-native English speakers, multicultural and blended families, and first-generation college students, prioritizing a coaching style that fosters self-awareness and promotes positive change to improve EF skills..

PARTNER SUCCESS TEAM

Sarah is an education strategist and applied learning and behavioral sciences consultant who helps mission-driven organizations turn research into practical, human-centered learning solutions. With 20+ years of experience,  Sarah partners with teams to design, test, and refine products and learning systems that strengthen belonging, adult capacity, and student outcomes. Sarah serves as a consulting partner to Brain Explained in product strategy and concept testing to ensure that BE tools are grounded in rigorous science, usable, scalable, and responsive to the needs of educational institutions and students. Previously, Sarah led program and organizational innovation at FuelEd, where she built and scaled professional learning models rooted in the neuroscience of relationships. She drove earned-revenue strategy and district partnerships. She also brings applied research expertise from AIR, Rockman et al., and a diverse portfolio of clients seeking clarity, coherence, and impact in their mission to improve teaching and learning.

INTERACTION DESIGN

Ardelle is an interaction designer in the Bay Area and one of the designers of the original prototype as a student UX designer at DALI Lab at Dartmouth College. She has continued to work with Brain Explained on user interface design and illustrations for the interface and surveys. Ardelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College in Studio Art, with Minors in Human-Centered Design and Digital Arts

PRODUCT DESIGN & TECHNICAL STRATEGY

Jack is a Technologist and Principal Analyst with over 30 years of experience shaping security, systems, networking, and cloud strategies for industry leaders. As founder of Paradigm Technica, Jack focuses on technology research and advisory for cybersecurity, concentrating in AI, Identity and Data Security. He’s led marketing for innovative startups, launched successful consulting ventures, and began his career as a software and hardware engineer. Recognized in the ARchitect Power 100, Jack’s insights appear in Security Boulevard, CSO, Dark Reading, TechRegister, and more. He holds degrees in Applied Math and Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon, and an MBA from Santa Clara University.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

Allison is an instructional designer with MIT and Learning Solutions. She is an international leader of Universal Design for Learning and works to bridge the connections between neuroscience and education. Allison is working with Brain Explained on the design of the product.  She is the author of Engage the Brain: How to design for learning that taps into the power of emotion (ASCD, 2018) and Unlearning: Change your beliefs and practice with UDL (CAST, 2020). She holds a Master's degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and still teaches at Lasell University.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DESIGN

Sharmilla has led higher education curriculum development, and the creation of advanced coursework as Program Chair of the Educational Therapy Certificate Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, and as a lecturer at San José State University. Sharmila is working with Brain Explained on instructional design, launching the professional certification program, and is an author on our upcoming books. Her work spans teacher preparation, educational therapy, and content development for innovative learning tools.. She is recognized for translating research into practical, effective strategies for both instructors and college students. Dr. Roy is committed to strengthening the skills of emerging educators and specialists.  Dr. Roy works in private practice as an Educational Therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing customized support to students. She has focused on enhancing math learning experiences for students with learning disabilities using Universal Design for Learning and multisensory structured instruction. Dr. Roy earned her doctorate in Special Education from The State University of New York at Buffalo.

PARTNER SUCCESS TEAM

Stu is actively involved in the Neuro Differences movement through his past work as a board member of Parents Education Network (Children’s Health Council – Silicon Valley), Dyslexic Advantage, and Charles Armstrong School for Dyslexia. He is currently a member of the Ambassadors Circle – UCSF Dyslexia Center, and he is on the advisory board for the Ivey School of Business – Neurodiversity Employment Research. Stu is working with Brain Explained as a lead on our customer success team, ensuring that colleges, workforce development organizations, and companies are leveraging the Brain Explained product line to improve student and employee retention.  Stu created and produced Microsoft’s annual Neurodiversity in the High-Tech Workforce Conference at the Silicon Valley Campus. Stu is formerly an Alliances and Partnership manager at NGINX (Part of F5 Networks) in San Francisco. His past roles included Solution Sales, Alliances Management, Technical Pre Sales and Professional Services for companies such as Microsoft, Accenture, EMC, Hyperion, PeopleSoft and Apple.

MEDIA

MJ Peters manages the BE Website and social media presence.  Currently, she is the outreach manager for Raymond’s Sourdough Breads.  She has a background in Neuropsychology and has served as a Research Specialist for theFramingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine. She is also operates a freelance music & sports photography/videography business based out of Boston & San Francisco..