PastSpeakersfortheUSAScience&EngineeringFestivalX-STEMSymposiumandNiftyFiftyProgram

AliciaAbella,Ph.D.–ThisresearchscientistatAT&Tisonthecuttingedgeofusheringinsomeofthemostadvancedtechnologydesignedtohelpuscommunicatefasterandmoreefficientlywitheachother.Butsheisalsonotedforherotherachievements:helpingtomotivateandmentorthenextgenerationoffemaleandminorityresearchers!(NiftyFifty2012)KylerAbernathy–LetthisrenownedbiologistfromNationalGeographicintroduceyoutotheCrittercam--theminiaturehigh-techcamerathatisgivingresearchersamazinglooksintotheprivatelivesofwildanimals!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)MarcAbrahams–"Laughnow,thinklater!"isthecredoofthisnationally-knownsciencefunnymanwhonotonlyholdsadegreeinmathematicsfromHarvardbutiseditor-founderofsciencehumormagazineAnnalsofImprobableResearch,andfounder-MCoftheannualIgNobelPrizeCeremony!(X-STEM2014)ColinAdams,Ph.D.–Letthisnotedmathematiciantakeyoudeepinsidetheage-oldmysteryofknotstoshedlightonsomeofthemostcontemporaryproblemsinmathandscience!(X-STEM2014)NadineAfari–UndertheleadershipofHTE@USC,discoverfromthisexpertattheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniahowaneweraofinterdisciplinaryteamworkisbringingtogetherexpertsandinnovatorsinfieldsrangingfromscienceandmedicinetoartandbusinesstosolvechallengingproblemsinhealthcare!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)AaronAlford,Ph.D.–Discoverhowthisnotedresearchscientistandco-founderofPaleoQuestturnedhischildhoodloveof"findingcrittersinthewoods"intoamissioninpaleontologytorecoverandidentifymarinemammalsfromourdistantpastanddonatethesespecimenstoK-12schoolsasteachingaids.(X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2016/2017)AlisaAllen–Sheservesasavitalconsultanttotheenergyindustryonmattersrangingfrompetroleumcoketocleanfuelissues.Whereistheindustryheading,andwhatarethechallenges?Discoverfirst-handfromthisexpertwiththeTexas-basedfirm,JacobsConsultancy.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)AlejandroSánchezAlvarado,Ph.D.–Discoverhowthisresearcherisusingtheplanarian--aflatwormwithremarkableregenerativepowers--tostudybetterwaysinwhichphysicianscan

repairhumantissue,organsandbodypartsthatcannotbenaturallyreplacedwhendamagedbytraumaordisease!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)PaulAnastas,Ph.D.–He’sknownasthe“FatherofGreenChemistry.”Learnofthetirelessandgroundbreakingeffortsofthisleadingchemisttocreateamoresustainablesociety.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)LorenAnderson,Ph.D.–DelveintothemysteriesofmassivestarsandGalacticHllregionsinourgalaxy--twoofthemostleast-studiedrealmsofastrophysics--withthishigh-profilephysicistfromWestVirginiaUniversity!Learnhowhe,armedrecentlywithanotablegrantfromNASA,isprovidingfascinatinginsightsintothesemysteriesforthefirsttimeinthisfield.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)JackAndraka–This15year-oldhighschoolfreshmanfromBaltimorehassetthemedicalsciencecommunityabuzzbydevelopinganinnovativediagnostictestthatdetectspancreaticcancermoreaccurately,quickerandcheaperthanexistingtests.Discoverhowhedidit!(X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)NatalieAngier–ShewonaPulitzerPrizeforherlucid,fascinatingsciencewriting,andnowdiscoverwhatdrivesherinherprolificjournalisticcareertoimprovescienceliteracythroughherwork.(NiftyFifty2012)LenAnnetta,Ph.D.–He’sapioneerindesigningandintroducinginteractivecomputergamesintotheclassroomtohelpexciteandmotivatekidsinmathandscience.Hearfromhimwhat’sonthehorizoninthisnewgenreofclassroomlearning!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)AnoushehAnsari–OnSeptember18,2006,shecapturedheadlinesaroundtheworldasthefirstfemaleprivatespaceexplorer,andalsoearnedaplaceinhistoryasthefourthprivateexplorertovisitspaceandthefirstastronautofIraniandescent.Discoverhowthisserialentrepreneurisnowhelpingtodrivecommercializationofthespaceindustry,andaschairmanofProdeaSystems(acompanysheco-founded)sheisfocusingonbringingthepoweroftheinternettoconsumersworldwide,simplifyingtheirdigitallivingexperience.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)MiquelAntoine,Ph.D.–LearnhowthisJohnsHopkinschemistisusingtheburgeoningfieldofmassspectrometrytohelpdevelopamorerapidmethodofidentifyingunknownmicrobesthatcouldbereleasedduringactsofbioterrorism.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)SinanAral,Ph.D.–Howstrongareyoursocialnetworks?Discoverfromthissocialscientistwhythisquestioniscriticalthesedays–fromtherelationshipswefosterviaemailtoface-to-facecommunication–inourfast-pacedinformationage.(NiftyFifty2012)RobertArmiger,Ph.D.–Creatingtheworld’smostadvancedbionicarmisindeedadauntingtask,butlearnhowthisbiomedicalengineeratJohnsHopkinsUniversityisdoingjustthat,andintheprocess,helpingtoimprovethequalityoflifefornumerousamputees.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012)

AndrewAugustin-Letyourimaginationgoasthisaward-winningcreatorofsuchgamesasSuperUbieLand,TeamNotionandcharactersforTheSims3Pets,takesyouinsidethefascinatinghigh-techworldofgamedesigning!(X-STEM2017)TinaBahadori,Ph.D.–GetinsidethejobofthisleadingchemicalsafetyscientistfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)assheandherresearchersexploremoreeffectivewaystoassess,predictandpreventourexposuretoharmfulchemicals–fromthefoodweeattothebuildingsinwhichweliveandwork!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)CelesteBaine–FindoutwhythisbiomedicalengineerandnoteddirectoroftheEngineeringEducationServiceCentersaysthattherehasneverbeenabettertimethannowtopromoteengineeringandotherSTEMfieldsamongtoday’sstudents.Hearabouttheprominentrolesheisplayinginthisendeavor!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)RubenBaler–LearnfromthisprominentresearcherattheNationalInstituteonDrugAbuse--WhatisBrainImagingandwhatcanitteachusaboutDrugAddiction?(NiftyFifty2016/2017)ShubhamBanerjee-This13-year-oldstudentsetthetechworldabuzzin2014withhisinventionofaviable,low-costBrailleprinter--builtfromLEGOs!Learnhowthisinspiredhimtolaunchhisownstartupfirm,attractingseedmoneyfromthelikesofIntelandothers!(X-STEM2016)PatriciaBath,M.D.-GrowingupinHarlem,shehadtheundyingdreamtobecomeaphysician.Learnhowshenotonlyfulfilledthatdream,butalsomademedicalhistoryastheinventorofthesurgicalprocedureanddevicethatrevolutionizedhowcataractsareremoved!(X-STEM2016)DeborahBass,Ph.D.–ThenextMarsRovermissionscheduledfor2020byNASA'sJetPropulsionLaboratorywillbeoneofthemostcomprehensiveexplorationstodateoftheRedPlanet,includingansweringkeyquestionsaboutthepotentialoflifeonMars.Learnfromthemission'sDeputyScienceLeadhowsheandhercolleaguesatJPLaregearingupforthechallengesofthishistoricroverexpedition!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)BonnieBassler,Ph.D.–LearnhowthisrenownedPrincetonUniversitymicrobiologistisbreakingthesecretcodeofbacteria–openingthedoortodiscoveringhowmicrobescommunicateandinteractwitheachother!(NiftyFifty2010)DaynaBaumeister,Ph.D.–She’sapioneerintheemergingfieldofbiomimicry,servingasnotededucator,entrepreneur,researcher,anddesignconsultantinhelpingothersexploreandusenatureasaviablemodeltosolvesomeofthemostcomplexproblemsfacingscienceandengineering.Learnhowherworkisimpactingscienceexplorationonaglobalscale--fromFortune500companiesintheU.S.toSTEMinstitutionsinsuchcountriesasSpain,SouthAfricaandTurkey.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)EbenBayer–LearnfromthisyounginnovatorhowbubblewrapandStyrofoamareabouttobecomeobsoleteifhehasanythingtodowithit.He’screatedaneweco-friendlymaterialmadefrommushroomsthatisreplacingtraditionalproductpackaging.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)

BruceBayly,Ph.D.–He'sanotedprofessorofMathematicsattheUniversityofArizona,buthe'sequallyknownthesedaysfortakingscienceandmathontheroadtoexcitethousandsviathePhysicsFactoryandtheArizonaMathematicsRoadshowwhichhefounded.Catchhisunforgettableinteractiveperformances!(X-STEM2014)StayceBeck,Ph.D.,M.P.H.-AttheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)sheisresponsibleforassuringthesafetyandqualityofmedicaldevicesusedbymillionsofpeoplewithdiabetes.Learnfirst-handoftherigorousprocessthattheseandotherlife-savingproductsgothroughattheFDAbeforeandaftertheyreachtheconsumermarket!(NiftyFifty2016/2017)AngelaBelcher,Ph.D.–Learnwhydevelopingpowerfulbiodegradableelectriccarbatteriesandcomputersthatwon’tcrashduetospilledliquidsonthekeyboardaremorethanjustpipedreamsinthelabofthisscientist!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)JoshuaBell,Ph.D.–FascinationawaitsyouasthisnotedSmithsoniananthropologisttakesaudiencesinsidethemysteriesofPapuaNewGuinea’sancestralpast,plusSmithsonian’sefforttosavethe6,000endangeredlanguagesspokenbytheworld’sindigenouscommunities!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)JeffreyBennett,Ph.D.–Hisachievementsinscienceandastronomyincludehelpingtodevelopthehighly-acclaimedVoyageScaleModelSolarSystemexhibitontheNationalMallinWashington,DC,andcreatingandwritingthepopularchildren’sseries"ScienceAdventureswithMaxtheDog."Learnhowthiseducatorisinspiringstudentsandteachersalikeinthewondersofscienceandspaceexploration!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)DavidBerman,M.D.,Ph.D.-Learnfromtherenownedphysician-scientistandexecutiveatMedImmunewhatthelatestinimmuno-oncologyresearchisrevealinginthefightagainstcancer!(X-STEM2016)AndrewBerry,Ph.D.–HearhowthisnotedHarvardevolutionarybiologisttraversesisolatedregionsoftheworldinthenameofDarwiniansciencetostudyrarespeciesofbats,butterflies,ratsandaphidsinordertoidentifyatthemolecularlevelkeyeventsinourrecentevolutionarypast.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)FredericBertley,Ph.D.–Inhiscareer,hehelpeddevelopanHIVvaccineatHarvardandledlife-savinghealthimprovementsinHaitiandTheSudan.NowdiscoverhowheisusingthatsamespirittoignitesciencediscoveryexcitementattherenownedFranklinInstitute!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2015)MelinaGerosaBellows–She'sknownas"TheChangeAgent"atNationalGeographicwhereshe'sengineereddramaticturnaroundstoNG'sBooks,KidsandFamilydivisions.Discoverfromthishigh-poweredexecutiveandauthorwhatmakesNationalGeographicchildren'spublicationssuchasNGKidsandNGBooks,sowildlypopularworldwide!(X-STEM2014)MatthewBobrowsky,Ph.D.–HearofthegroundbreakingdiscoveriesinastronomythatthisleadingastrophysicistattheUniversityofMarylandismakingusingtheHubbleSpaceTelescope,andoftheexcitingscienceoutreachwithstudentsandteachersheconducts!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2016)

DavidBolinsky–Takeajourneyinsidethemindofthisnotedbiologicalsciencesanimatorandthemakingofhishighly-acclaimedsciencefilm,TheInnerLifeoftheCell”.Inaddition,gettoknowtheaward-winningworkofhiscompany,XVIVOScientificAnimation,whichprovidescompellingvisualproductionsinawiderangeofindustries--frompharmaceuticalandbiotechtoeducationandbroadcasting.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)SusanBontems–JustaskthestudentsthatthisprofessorofChemistryhastaughtandyou’llbetoldofheruniquewayofconnectingwithlearnerstohelpmaketheprinciplesofsciencecomealive.Hearandexperienceherexcitingteachingtechniques!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)SethBorenstein–AsasciencewriterfortheAssociatedPress,hecoverseverythingfromglobalwarmingtoSpaceShuttlelauncheswithclarityandverve.Hearwhatadayinthelifeislikeforthisbusy,well-knownjournalist!(NiftyFifty2010)PenelopeBoston,Ph.D.–Thisworld-renownedgeologist-microbiologisthasmadeacareeroutofexploringthemysteriousmicrobiallifethatthriveincaves.Discoverwhyshesays:“Deepinsidecaves,there'sabiologythatislikenootheronEarth!”(NiftyFifty2013/2014)RichardBoyd–Welcometothevirtualworldofthiscomputergamingpioneerwhose3-DvisualizationtechniquesarebeingusedforeverythingfromHollywoodmoviestohelpingtrainpilots!Learnwhyhethinkscomputergaming’snextfrontieriscreatingvirtualK-12classroomstohelpmotivatekidsinmathandscience!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012)KobieBoykins–Hegrewupasaself-admitted¨spacegeek,¨enthralledbyStarTrekandlongingtobuildinterstellarspacevehiclesthatexplorethemysteriesoftheuniverse.Learnhowthisdynamicyoungmechanicalengineer(aformercollegiatehockeyandbasketballplayerwithapenchantformotorcycleracing)isfarfromgeekyashelivesouthisdreamatNASA’sJetPropulsionLaboratorydesigningkeycomponentsoftheCuriosityMarsRover!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)TerenceBoylan–He’sknownnotonlyasanaccomplishedsinger-songwriterinthemusicworld,butalsoasoneofthe“RocketBoysoftheNIH”whocontinuetosparkpersonalcommitmentsinmedicalandscienceresearch.Hearhisamazingstory!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)KippBradford–IfyoueverwonderedaboutthepoweranddirectionoftheMakerMovement,youonlyhavetolookattheyoungcareerofthisbiomedicalengineerandinventor.Inthepastdecadehehasfoundedorco-founded3keyhightechstartupcompaniesinthefieldsofmedicaldevices,transportationandconsumerproducts.Discoverwhatdriveshim,andwhyhebelievesMakersarepoisedtosolvesomeoftheglobe'smostpressingchallengesinhightechnology!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2016)CynthiaBreazeal,Ph.D.–Discoverhowthisleadingsocialroboticistiscreatingintelligenthumanoidrobotsthatwillchangeourworld--aidinghumansinahostofsituationsfromeducationandphysicalperformancetofamilycommunicationandhealth.(NiftyFifty2012)

DavidBrin,Ph.D.–Thesubjectmatterofthisworld-renownedauthor,researcherandspeakerrangesfromscienceandspacealienstopopcultureandthefutureofGoogleGlasses.Learnwhathiswork,includinghismanybestsellingbooks,aretellingusaboutthetechnologicalrevolutionthatischangingourlives!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)JohnBrophy,Ph.D.–AsapropulsiontechnologyexpertfortherenownedJetPropulsionLaboratory(JPL),thisengineerhasworkedonsomeofthenation’smostambitiousspaceexplorationprojects.Learnabouthiscurrentproject--theAsteroidInitiativewhichisusingaroboticspacecrafttocaptureasmallnear-EarthasteroidandredirectitsafelytoastableorbitintheEarth-moonsystem!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)ReginaldBrothers,Ph.D.–Atatimewhenthenationstandsreadytorespondswiftlyandeffectivelytomilitaryandsecuritythreatsaroundtheworldatmoment'snotice,hispositionasDeputyAssistantSecretaryofDefenseforResearchattheU.S.DepartmentofDefenseiscriticalinassuringthatwehavethenecessaryscienceandtechnologicalinnovationtoaccomplishthemission!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2015)EricBrown,Ph.D.-ThisprominentmicrobiologistattheFoodandDrugAdministrationisespeciallyknownforrevolutionizinghowtheFDAidentifiesandtracksmicroorganismsthatcausefoodbornediseases.GetreadyashetakesyouinsidehowdangerousfoodbornepathogenstrainssuchasSalmonellaandE.coliaredetected,andhowhisworkensuressafetyofthefoodweeat.(X-STEM2017)RickBrown–Earlyinhisteachingcareerthiseducatordiscoveredthatstudentslearnsciencebestnotbyreadingaboutit,butactuallydoingitthroughexcitinghands-onvenues.LearnhowthisapproachledhimtoestablishScienceEdventures,awildlycreativeandeffectivescienceoutreachprogramthatimmerseskidsinSTEM-basedprojects,inspiringthemtothinklikescientistswhileworkingwithschoolcurriculumtoteachthemimportantscientificprinciplesandfundamentals!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)BlakeBullock–Learnfromthisexciting,plain-speakingastronomerfromNorthropGrummanhowtheJamesWebbSpaceTelescope--thenext-generationtelescopebeingdevelopedtoreplaceHubble--willstandtonotonlyimpactourunderstandingoftheuniverse,buthelptofurtherestablishAmericaasatechnologicalleader.(X-STEM2014)DianeBunce,Ph.D.–HerresearchatCatholicUniversityofAmericadealswithwaystoimprovethewayteachersteach,andstudentslearn,chemistry.Hearhowherworkishelpingtodemystifyandhumanizescienceforall!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)HaroldBurgess–Dealingwithinformationoverload?LearnhowourbrainsdeterminewhatwecanignoreandhowfishoffercluesonthehumanbrainfromthistopresearcherattheNationalInstituteofChildHealthandHumanDevelopment,NationalInstitutesofHealth.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)ThomasBurke,Ph.D.,MPH–Howenvironmentallyhealthyisournation?DiscoverfirsthandfromtheresearcherwhoservesastheScienceAdvisorfortheU.S.EnvironmentalAgency(EPA)ashetakesyouinsidethelatestadvancesinthebattleagainstairandwaterpollution,workplacetoxinsandotherenvironmentalhealthissues.(NiftyFifty2015/2016)

ChuckCadle,Ed.D.–AlthoughSTEMeducationholdsthekeytomanyofthehigh-techskillsneededforsurvivalinthe21stcentury,notenoughofourstudentsaremasteringthesetalents,portendingseriousproblemsforourcountry,saysthisnotededucatorandCEOofDestinationImagination.Discoverhowhisnon-profitinstitution,throughachallengingarrayofoutreachprograms,isworkingonthefrontlineswithschoolstoturnaroundthecrisisinSTEMproficiency.(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)RobertCarey–He'stheU.S.DefenseDepartment’sPrincipalChiefInformationOfficer.LearnhowthiskeyofficialatthePentagonisleadingtheefforttoconsolidateandstandardizeAmerica’sDefenseinformationtechnologyandstrengthenitscybersecurity!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)AlyssaCarson-This13-year-oldandherdreamtobecomethefirstpersononMars,willbothamazeandinspireyou!Learnhowsheispreparingandhowherquestiscapturingnationalattention!(X-STEM20150AlisonCarr-Chellman,Ph.D.–WhyareboystuningoutanddroppingoutofschoolatalarmingratesinAmericatoday?ThisisjustoneofthepressingquestionsthatthisnotedresearcherandadvocateineducationisexploringassheworkstobringaboutmeaningfulchangeinthewayK-12educationisdelivered.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)DavinCarr-Chellman,Ph.D.–WhatistheimpactofFacebook,videogames,textingandotherinternettechnologiesonthesocialandeducationaldevelopmentoftoday’sstudents?Thisleadingeducatorandresearchertakesyouinsidetheseimplicationsandwhatwecandotohelpyoungpeoplebecomemoreastutetechnologicalconsumers!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)ShaneCaswell,Ph.D.–Headtraumarepresentsoneofthemostseriousconcernsinsuchhigh-contactyouthandscholasticsportsasfootball,soccer,lacrosseandrugby.Discoverhowthisnationally-recognizedresearcherinSportsMedicineatGeorgeMasonUniversityismakingaward-winninginroadsintopreventing,diagnosingandmanagingconcussionsandotherheadinjuriesintherough-and-tumblesportsofK-12athletics!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)AlisonCernich-AsDirectoroftheNationalCenterforMedicalRehabilitationResearch(NCMRR),Dr.Cernichoverseesavariedportfolioofresearchprojects,trainingprograms,andrehabilitationresearchinfrastructurenetworksitesaimedatimprovingthecareofindividualswithphysicaldisabilitywhorequiremedicalrehabilitation.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)TimChartier,Ph.D.–ThismathematicianatDavidsonCollegeiswidelyknownforhisexpertiseinnumericallinearalgebra,butlearnalsohowheiswowingstudentsandthepublicnationwideinmathematicsviahistalentinmimeandothercaptivatingdemonstrations.Discoverhowmathprinciplescanbeusedineverydaylife--rangingfrompredictingthenextAcademyAwardwinnerstocreatinganear-perfectNCAAMarchMadnessBracketincollegebasketball!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)ParagChordia,Ph.D.–AsdirectorofGeorgiaTechUniversity'sMusicIntelligenceLab,hewasapioneerinestablishingthelinkbetweenmusicexposureandcreativity,andstudents'performanceinmathandscience.Discoverhowheisnowusinghisresearchexpertisetodevelophigh-techcomputerappsthathelpeveryonecreatetheirownmusic!(X-STEM2014)

AndrewClark,Ph.D.–Hedesignedsomeofthemostsophisticateddeep-seaexplorationvehicles.Nowdiscoverhowhe,aspresidentofHarrisMaritimeCommunicationServices,isbringingoceantechnologytosomeoftheworld’smostunderservedareas.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)KathrynClark,Ph.D.–ThecriticalrolesheplayedasNASAChiefScientistafterthetragicaccidentoftheSpaceShuttleChallengerin2003ledtothesuccessfulresumptionoftheshuttleprogramin2005.LearnhowhercurrentinvolvementasascienceeducatorandoutreachinnovatorisinspiringcountlesslearnersinSTEM!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)MaryCleave,Ph.D.–She'srankedwithSallyRideandothersforherpioneeringachievementsinspaceflightasaNASAShuttleastronautandscientist.DiscoverhowthetwoShuttlemissionsofthisenvironmentalengineerreinvigoratedhereffortstoprotecttheEarthanditsatmosphere!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2016/2017)KimCobb,Ph.D.–ThisprominentclimatologistwillregaleyouwithstoriesaboutherforaysintoremoteareasofthetropicalPacifictobetterunderstandhowclimatechangesofthepastmayimpactglobalwarmingpatternsofthefuture.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)AnneCohen,Ph.D.–She’sascientistattheWoodsHoleOceanographicInstitutionwhoishardatworksavetheworld’scoralreefsfromgrowingglobalacidity.Learnaboutthisleadingbiogeochemist’sresearchonclimatechangeanditsimpactonlifeintheocean.(X-STEM2016)Baratunde“Bara”Cola,Ph.D.–ThisprofessorofMechanicalEngineeringandformercollegefootballstarwasrecentlyhonoredbyPresidentObamaasoneofthenation'spromisingyounginnovatorsforhisgroundbreakingworkintheemergingscientificfieldofexploitingenergytransportprocessesatthenanoscale.Discoverwhyhefeelsnano-engineeredenergytechnologyisthenextexcitingfrontier!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)FrancisCollins,Ph.D.–He’sknownforhislandmarkdiscoveriesingeneticsandforleadingtheHumanGenomeProjecttocompletion.NowdiscoverthechallengeshefacesasheheadstheprestigiousNationalInstitutesofHealth!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)NancyConrad–LearnhowherConradFoundation(namedforherlatehusbandApolloastronautPeteConrad)ismakingadramaticimpactininspiringyoungstudentstousescience,engineeringandentrepreneurshiptofindviablesolutionstosomeofthemostdauntingchallengesfacingustoday--frombioscienceandrenewableenergytoaerospaceengineering!(X-STEM2014)CarlosContreras–HearrivedintheU.S.withhisfamilyatage12seekingabetterlife.Todaythisengineer-turned-financial-expertheadsU.S.EducationinitiativesforIntelCorporationwherehedevelopsprogramstoassurethatstudentshavethenecessarymathandscienceskillstobesuccessfulinaglobaleconomy.Learnwhatitwilltakefortomorrow'syounginnovatorstothriveinthiscompetitiveenvironment!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2013/2014)ElizabethCottrell,Ph.D.–TakeajourneytothecenteroftheEarthasthisnotedSmithsoniangeologistexploreswithyouherlatestfindingsonvolcanoes,theEarth’scoreandmantle,andotheraspectsofourplanet’sevolution!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)

KyleCranmer,Ph.D–LetthisrenownedphysicisttakeyoudeepinsidehisworkattheLargeHadronCollider(theworld’smostpowerfulparticleaccelerator)insearchoftheHiggsBoson--thesub-atomicparticlethoughttobeabuildingblockoftheuniverse!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)EmilyCross-This11th-grader--asthewinningpresenteratSigmaXi´sprestigiousStudentResearchConferencein2016andafirst-placespecialawardwinnerattheIntelInternationalScienceandEngineeringFairin2015--isalreadyforgingaremarkablefutureinscience.Discoverwhatkeepherinspiredandfocusedonherscientificpursuits!(X-STEM2017)AprilCroxton,Ph.D.–HearthesavvyadvicethatthisNOAAmarinebiologisthasforyoungstudentswhoaspiretoenterthefieldofscience.Herwordsofwisdomcertainlyworkedforherontheroadtocareersuccess.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)LindaCureton–AstheformerChiefInformationOfficeratNASA,shewasthespaceagency'sgo-topersononawiderangeofchallengesrelatedtoInformationTechnologyinthespaceage–frominformationstoragetosocialmediaandcybersecurity!Discoverwhatit'sliketokeepNASAanditsscientistsandemployeesonthecuttingedgeofIT.(NiftyFifty2013/2014)FranklinDamann,Ph.D.–LearnhowthiscuratorattheNationalMuseumofHealthandMedicineisusinghisskillsasananthropologisttobreathelifeintomedicalandanatomicalartifactsofthepast,therebygivingusafascinatinglookintoerasofscientifichistory!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)RitankarDas–GraduatingfromUCBerkeleyinjust3yearswithadoublesciencemajor,discoverhowthisamazing19-year-oldscientistandcurrentPh.D.studentlaunchedaglobaleffortatage16tomotivatedisadvantagedyouthsinSTEM,nowreaching75millionpeople!(X-STEM2015)SarahDas,Ph.D.–LetthisrenownedclimatologistfromWoodsHoleOceanographicInstitutiontakeyouinsidehergroundbreakingresearchinfrigidGreenlandwheresheisgainingremarkableinsightsintothemysteriesofglaciermeltingandclimatechange!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)SatyanDevadoss,Ph.D.–PreparetobecaptivatedasthisleadingmathematicsprofessorfromWilliamsCollegedemonstrateshowheblendsconceptsofalgebraandgeometrywitharttomakeloftyprinciplesofmathcomealiveforstudents!(X-STEM2015)TylerDeWitt–Talkaboutthinkingoutsidethebox!ThishighschoolteacherandPh.D.studentinMicrobiologyatMITisquicklyemergingasaleadinginnovatorinscienceeducation--inspiringmanywithhisfreshapproachestoclassroominstructionandcurriculainscience,technology,engineeringandmath.(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2015)CrystalDilworth–DiscoverhowthisrecentCaltechdoctoralgrad(whoisalsoaprofessionalchoreographerandformerdancerwhotrainedatthefamousAileySchoolinNYC)isonapersonalmissiontobreakdownlong-heldstereotypesofscientistsasgeeksandnerds.HerworkisgivingcouragetomanyyoungSTEMlearnerstoshunsuchstereotypeswhileteachingthemhowtoeffectivelycombinetheirpassionforsciencewithotherpersonalinterestsinnon-scienceareas.(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2015)

DanielleDixson,Ph.D.–Coralreefs,oftencalledthe“rainforestsofthesea,”areseriouslydecliningworldwide.PreparetobeinspiredasyoulearnwhatthisnotedbiologistfromGeorgiaTechisdoingtoshedlightononeofthemostimportantecologicalchallengestoday!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)LauranceDoyle,Ph.D.–ThisastrophysicistatthefamedSETIInstitutebegantheorizingaboutthehabitabilityofplanetsaroundotherstarslongbeforethediscoveryofthefirstplanetbeyondoursolarsystem.Learnhowheisnowusinghisexpertisetoanalyzeastronomicaldatatosearchformysteriousextrasolarplanetsinthenetherregionsofspace!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)KirkDreier–Discoverhowthisleadingnaturalistandbotanist–inanageofiPods,cableTV,Facebook,Twitterandotherdistractionsforkids–usesthepowerofhands-onbiologytogetstudentsoutdoorstoexplorenatureforpleasureandknowledge!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2013/2014)AlvinDrew–ThisUnitedStatesAirForceofficerandformercombatpilotisoneofthelastNASAastronautstoperformaspacewalkaspartoftheShuttleDiscovery'smissiontotheInternationalSpaceStation.Learnhowinspace,hestartedthe“StorytimeinSpace”readingprogramforchildren!(X-STEM2014)BenDubin-Thaler,Ph.D.–You’veneverrealizedhowmuchscientificdiscoveryisavailableonabus,butyou’llbecomeabelieverwhenthisinnovativebiophysicistintroducesyoutohisBioBus,theamazingmobilesciencelabthatiswowingkidsthroughoutNewYorkCity!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)DougDuncan,Ph.D.–AsdirectoroftheprestigiousFiskePlanetariumattheUniversityofColorado,he’soneofthemosthigh-profileastronomersandsciencecommunicatorsinthecountry.Discoverwhatdrivesthisinnovatorashestrivestobringthewondersofastronomytostudentsandthepublicinexcitingways--fromthemysteryoftotaleclipsestothespectacleoftheNorthernLights!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)Maj.Gen.SharonK.G.Dunbar–SheservesinthedualcapacityasCommanderoftheAirForceDistrictofWashington(AFDW)andthe320thAirExpeditionaryWing,headquarteredinAndrews,MD.Discoverthekeyrolehightechnologyplaysinherdutieswhichincludetrainingandequippingcombatforcesforaerospaceexpeditionaryendeavors!(X-STEM2014)SylviaEarle,Ph.D.–Thislegendaryoceanographerhasbeendubbed“HerDeepness”bytheNewYorkTimes,anda“HeroforthePlanet”byTimemagazine–andforgoodreason.Discoverhowhertireless,groundbreaking,andoftencourageousworkdeepbelowtheseaisraisingconsciousnessworldwidetosavetheplanet'smostpreciousresource–theocean!(X-STEM2014)BobEkman–ThisformercomputersoftwareengineerforIBMandLockheedMartinisnowmotivatingkidsinroboticsandrocketrythroughinnovativescienceoutreachprogramsinMaryland.Learnfromhimashedemonstrateshissecretsforengagingyounglearners!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012)JenniferElisseef,Ph.D.–Eachyearthelowavailabilityofdonortissuefortransplantationgrowsmoreacute.DiscoverhowthisrenownedtissueengineeringscientistatJohnsHopkinsishelping

medicineaddressthecrisisbyexploringwaystogrowhumantissue--suchasskin,bonesandcorneas--inthelaboratory!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)KarenElkins,Ph.D.–ThisnotedinfectiousdiseaseimmunologistattheFDAishelpingtoleadthewayindesigningbettervaccinestocombatMycobacteriumtuberculosisandotherresistant,disease-causingbacteriaimpactingusonaglobalscale!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)EricaEllingson,Ph.D.–Inherresearchexploringtheoriginsoftheuniverse,thisprominentastrophysicistattheUniversityofColorado-Boulderworksinthemysteriousrealmsofdarkenergyandgalaxyclusters.Learnwhathergroundbreakingworkisrevealing,andoftheexcitingoutreachprogramsshehasinitiatedtoinspiretomorrow'sminoritytrailblazersinastrophysics!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)ChristopherEmdin,Ph.D.–Thiship,excitingprofessorintheDepartmentofMathematics,ScienceandTechnologyatColumbiaUniversityhasgainednationalattentionforhisgeniusinconnectingkidsinsciencethroughtherhythmandbeatofurbanhip-hop!DiscoverSTEMinanewwaythroughthemagicofwritingsciencerapsandengaginginsciencerapbattles!(X-STEM2016)SarahEno,Ph.D.-AnotedphysicistattheUniversityofMaryland,sheispartofanelitegroupofexplorersworldwideinvolvedinthefamousLargeHadronCollider(LHC)particleacceleratorprojectatCERNontheFrench-Swissborder.Discoverfirst-handwhatthisundertakingistellingusabouthowtheuniversestartedandwhatitismadeof!(NiftyFifty2016/2017)AprilleEricsson,Ph.D.–Thisinnovativeaerospaceengineerisatthecutting-edgeofsomeofthemostambitiousendeavorsatNASA’sGoddardSpaceFlightCenter.Learnfromherwhatthefutureofspaceflightholds,andhowstudentscanprepareforsuchchallengingcareers!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2015,NiftyFifty2016/2017)MarcusEriksen-Fromhiscaptivatingseagoingexpeditionstohisempoweringworld-renowned5GyresInstitute,discoverhowthisnotedresearcheriscallingattentiontotheproblemofplasticpollutionplaguingourworld´soceans.(X-STEM2017)DanielEvans,Ph.D.–LetthiseminentastrophysicistfromtheHarvard-SmithsonianAstrophysicalObservatorytakeyouinsidehisresearchashehuntsthenetherregionsofspaceforelusivesuper-massiveblackholes!Learnthelatestinsightsthatscienceisrevealingaboutblackholesandtheirprofoundinfluenceoncosmologicalevolution.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)RutheFarmer–ThisleaderattheNationalCenterforWomenandInformationTechnology(NCWIT)wasrecentlyhonoredbytheWhiteHouseforherworktoincreasefemaleparticipationintechnologyandengineering.LearnhowshealsolaunchedtechnologicalinitiativeswithsuchpowerhousesasIntel,LegoRoboticsandFIRSTRoboticstoheightenmotivationinSTEM(science,technology,engineeringandmathematics).(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)FalonFatemi-Atage19,shebecametheyoungestemployeeatGooglewhereshewasresponsibleforstrategizingthecompany´sentranceintosuchmarketsasEuropeandAfrica.Nowasfounder

andCEOofhercompany,Node,sheisredefiningthewaywebinformationisorganized,resultingingreatertailoredandpersonalizationofthisinformationforusers.(X-STEM2017)AnthonyFauci,M.D.–Learnhowthishighprofilephysician-scientist,asDirectoroftheNationalInstituteofAllergyandInfectiousDisease,servesasakeyadvisortotheWhiteHouseandotherarmsofthegovernmentonawiderangeofhealthissuesfromtheglobalAIDSepidemictobioterrorism.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015,NiftyFifty2016/2017)BobakFerdowsi–You’llrememberhimastheyoungNASAflightdirectorwhosportedthecoolmohawkhairdoinJPL’smissioncontrolcenterastheroverCuriositymadeitshistoricdescentontoMars.Nowmeetthisinspiringsystemsengineerashetellshowhis“mohawkexperience”catapultedhimintothenationalspotlight,andaboutthemanyexcitingcareersthatawaityoungstudentsinspacescience!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2017)MaryFernandez,Ph.D.–LearnhowthisnotedAT&Tcomputerscientistisdevelopingtextmessagingtechnologythatwillenablefirstresponderstomoreeffectivelycontact,locateandpotentiallysavevictimsofdisastersandcatastrophes!(NiftyFifty2012)ChrisFischer–GetreadyforanunforgettableexperiencewiththisExpeditionLeaderandFoundingChairmanofOCEARCHashetakesyoudeepinsidetheworldoftheGreatWhitesharkusingOCEARCH´samazingGlobalSharkTracker!(X-STEM2016)PaulFleisher–FromparasitesandbadweathertotheBigBang,discoverhowthebooksofthisnotedscienceauthorandeducatorareinspiringyoungstudentsacrossthecountryaboutthemysteryofscience.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)MarilynFogel,Ph.D.–Herfieldworkingeoscienceshastakenhertothefar-flungcornersoftheglobe,includingtheBermudaTriangleandthecoldMars-likelandscapesofNorway.DiscoverhowtheworkofthisCarnegieInstitutionscientistissheddingnewlightonhowtheplanetbegan.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)SarahFortune,M.D.–Learnhowthenovelresearchapproachofthisphysician-scientistishelpingtozeroinononeofmoderndaymedicine’smostdauntingquestions:whythebacteriumthatcausestuberculosisisoftenresistanttoantibioticsandthebody’simmunesystem.(NiftyFifty2012)JamesFowler,Ph.D.–Letthisleadingpoliticalscientistandmedicalgeneticisttakeyouinsideaworldwherebiologicalscienceconvergeswithcontemporarypoliticalandsocialnetworkbehavior!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)ClaireFraser,Ph.D.-Herpioneeringdiscoveriesinmicrobiologyledtotheemergenceofanewfieldofstudy--microbialgenomics.Nowdiscoverhowshe,asDirectoroftheInstituteForGenomeSciencesattheUniversityofMaryland,iscontinuinghergroundbreakingworkinthisfrontiertoimpacthumanhealth.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)NjemaFrazier,Ph.D.–Thissavvynuclearphysicisthastheresponsibilityofhelpingtoassurethatthenation’snuclearweaponrystockpilesaresafeandatthereadytoprotecttheU.S.against

nuclearattack.Learnhowherjobentailsnotonlyphysicsbutknowledgeofahostofotherdisciplinesincludingengineering,metallurgyandcomputerscience!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)StephenFrick–ThecareerachievementsofthisformerNavyfighterpilotandNASAastronautincludecommandingtheSpaceShuttleAtlantis.DiscoverhowhisloveofspaceflightisnowtakingonnewdimensionsinhiscurrentpostatLockheedMartinSpaceSystems!(X-STEM2016)SusanMarieFrontczak–Re-livethelifeandtimesofNobelPrize-winningscientistMarieCuriethroughthedramaticpresentationof“MANYA:ALivingHistoryofMarieCurie”asthisexcitingstorytellerportraysthefamousresearcherwhodiscoveredradiumandradioactivity.(NiftyFifty2010)GregGage,Ph.D.–BeforeearninghisPh.D.inNeuroscience,thisnotedbrainscientistwasanelectricalengineerwholovedtinkeringwithallthingselectric.Discoverhowhe'smoldedthispassioninto"BackyardBrains"--anexcitingserviceineducationwhichprovideseveryonefromkidstogradstudentsinsciencewithcoolneuroscienceexperimentkitsandtoolstohelpthembetterunderstandtheelectrophysiologyworkingsofthebrainandnervoussystem!(X-STEM2014,X-STEM2015,X-STEM2016)DavidGallo,Ph.D.–Findoutwhatlifeislikedeepbelowtheoceanasthisrenownedoceanographer(whoco-ledtheTitanicexploration)revealsthewondersofhisfascinatingunderseajourneys.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)RichardGarriott–Heartheexcitingstoryofthiscomputervideogamepioneerwhoaccomplishedhislifelongdreamofspacetravelin2008whenhebecamethesixthprivatecitizentojourneyintoEarth’sorbit.(NiftyFifty2012)LoriBethGarver–ShebecameinterestedinspacewhileworkingforformerSenatorJohnGlennandservedastheleadcivilspacepolicyadvisorforObama’s2008presidentialcampaignbeforebeingappointedtohercurrentpostofDeputyAdministratorofNASA.LearnfromthisleadingspacepolicyexpertaboutthefuturedirectionofNASAasitchartsanewcourseinboththegovernmentalandcommercialsectors!(NiftyFifty2012)SylvesterJamesGates,Ph.D.–Learnhowthedesiretopursuephysicsbeganateightyearsoldforthisrenownedscientist,leadinghimlatertogroundbreakingresearchinsuchcutting-edgeareasassuperstringtheory,supersymmetryandsupergravity.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)TimothyGay,Ph.D.–Areyourstudentsintimidatedbythestudyofphysics?LetthisnotedprofessorandresearchphysicistattheUniversityofNebraskaclarifykeyconceptsofthisdisciplineinexcitingways--fromNewton'sLawtoairresistanceandatoms--byusingthegameoffootballasamodel!Aformercollegefootballplayerhimself,hehasusedthisapproachsuccessfullyinhisclassroom,atNebraskaCornhuskersfootballgames,andevenonanNBCTVrealityshowwithrockerTommyLee!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)AdamGazzaley,M.D.,Ph.D.–Whatimpactismobiletechnology(withitsfrequentdistractions,disruptionsandmulti-tasking)havingonourbrain'sabilityinmemory,learningand

attention?Explorewiththisrenownedneuroscientistthelatestfindingsonwhatresearchisrevealing!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)JohnGedmark–LearnfromthisengineerandformerexecutivedirectoroftheCommercialSpaceflightFederationhowprivatecompaniesaredestinedtoassumeNASA’sroleofbuilding,launchingandoperatingfuturespaceexplorationcraft.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)MortonAnnGernsbacher,Ph.D.–Discoverhowthisleadingcognitiveneuroscientistwentagainstprevailingtheoriesinsciencetodemonstratethatspeechdifficultyinsomeautisticchildrenstemsfrommotorplanningdeficits,notfromintellectuallimitationsorsocialimpairmentinsuchchildren!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)WilliamGilly,Ph.D.–Getreadyforanunderseaadventureasthisprominentmarinebiologisttakesyouinsidehisresearchofgiantsquid–thevoracious,fast-movingseapredatorthatishavingseriousecologicalimpactonothersealifeinthePacific.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)RoscoeGiles,Ph.D.–Thishigh-profiletheoreticalphysicistatBostonUniversityhasmadeacareerofusingsophisticatedparallelcomputerstosolvesomeofthemostdauntingproblemsinphysicsandmaterialsscience.Butlearnwhyheisalsonationallyrecognizedforanotherpursuit:workingindynamicwaystoincreasethenumberofwomenandminoritiesincomputationalscienceandotherSTEMareas!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)LarryGladney,Ph.D.–Thisrenownedphysicistiswidelyknownforresearchthatdelvesdeepintothemysteriesofthecosmos,includingtheoriginoftheuniverse.HearaboutthepivotalmomentinhischildhoodthatturnedhisinteresttophysicswhilegrowingupontheroughsideofEastSt.Louis,IL.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)JenniferGolbeck,Ph.D.–WhatdoesouronlineinteractionwithFacebookandothersocialmediasayaboutus?Andhowcanwebettersafeguardourprivacywhenusingthem?GetanswersfromthisfascinatingUniversityofMarylandcomputerscientistwhoisnationally-knownforherexpertiseinonlinebehavior!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2017)RebeccaGoldin,Ph.D.–Weallknowhowpowerfulstatisticscanbe,butalsohowtheycanbemanipulatedandmisinterpreted.DiscoverhowthisnotedmathematicianatGeorgeMasonUniversityiskeepingawatchfuleyeonhowthenewsmediaisusingstatsintheirstoriesaboutscience,healtheducationandotherfields.Intheprocess,sheisalsoeducatingthepublichowtobemorecriticalsciencenewsconsumers.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)JeffGoldstein,Ph.D.–What’sreallyinvolvedintheartofengagingstudentsinscienceandotherareasofSTEM?DiscoverfromthisnotedastrophysicistandscienceeducatorthesecretsthatmakehimoneofthemostsuccessfulmotivatorsinSTEMinthenation!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)JordanGoodman,Ph.D.–LetthisrenownedparticleastrophysicistfromtheUniversityofMarylandgiveyouanunforgettablelookintotwoofhisfascinatingresearchprojects--onelocatedhighinthemountainsofNewMexico,andtheotherdeepbelowthedauntingiceoftheSouthPoleStation.

Botheffortsareintendedtobetterunderstandthehigh-energycosmicrayswhichhittheEarth!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)TheodoreGray–Explorethecuttingedgeoftechnologywiththisinnovator!HedevelopedtheleadingcomputationalsoftwareWolfram|Alpha,inadditiontobeingacolumnistforPopularSciencemagazine,andthecreatorofamazingperiodictableofelementsseenonMythBusters,HannaMontana,andelsewhere!(X-STEM2014)JordanGreen,Ph.D.–Cancerisonekeyresearchareawherethereisgreatneedforimprovedtherapeutics.DiscoverfromthisleadingbiomedicalengineeringscientistatJohnsHopkinsUniversityhowheisusingthelatesttechniquesintheemergingfieldofnanobiotechnologytocreatesmarterdrugandgenetherapiestotreatawiderangeofcancers--andsavelives!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2017)CarolGreider,Ph.D.-ThisprominentmolecularbiologistatJohnsHopkinswontheNobelPrizein2009forherdiscoveryofthekeychromosomalenzyme,telomerase.Learnaboutthispioneeringresearcher'schallengingroadtoherbreakthroughdiscovery.(X-STEM2016)HelenGreiner-GrowingupinLondon,England,shewasachildhoodsciencewhiz,laterdevelopingafascinationforsciencefiction,R2D2androbotics.DiscoverhowthesepassionsledtohercreatingthecompanyiRobot(agloballeaderinmobilerobots),andmostrecentlyCyPhyWorks,theamazingentrepreneurialstart-upthatisleadingthewayindevelopingfuturisticflyingrobots(knownasUnmannedAerialVehicles)forcommercial,civil,andmilitarydefenseapplications!(X-STEM2016)SaulGriffith,Ph.D.–Thisnotedinventorandentrepreneurfocusesoncreatingpracticalthingsweallcanuse–fromlow-costeyeglassesandcartoonsthatteachkidsscience,toakitethattowsboats,andnewwaystogeneratepower.You'llbeblownawaybywhathe'sthinkingofnext!(X-STEM2014)JohnMaceGrunsfeld,Ph.D.–Learnfirst-handfromthisfive-timeSpaceShuttlecrewmemberwhatgoesonatliftoffandinothercriticalareasofaShuttlemission!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)PaulGuèye,Ph.D.–AsastudentgrowingupinDakar,Senegal,hewasknownas“Mr.Questions”becauseofhisinquisitivenature.Learnhowthisnotedphysicistisnowusinghiskeencuriositytodelvedeepintosomeofthemostdauntingquestionsinthestudyofhowatomsfunction.(NiftyFifty2010)BenjaminGulak–HedesignedhisrevolutionaryUnoIIIelectricvehicleasaseniorinhighschool(acreationthatwasnamedamongthetop10inventionsbyPopularScience),butdiscoverwhatexactlydrivestheimaginationofthis22-year-oldinventorandentrepreneur!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)AlbertoGutierrez,Ph.D.–WelcometotheeraofPersonalizedMedicine--anemergingageofmedicalscienceinwhichdrugsandothertreatmentsaretailoredtoyourindividualgeneticmakeup.MeetandheartheFDAscientistandadministratorwhoisattheforefrontofapprovingandregulatingthetechnologyofthisexcitingfrontier,andnegotiatingthechallengesthatitpresentsinthefuture!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)

JoyHakim–InourchallengingInformationAge,whatarethebestwaystoengagestudentsintheexcitementofscience?Discoverfromthisprolificsciencenarrativestorywriterhowsuchstoriesnotonlyfascinateyoungreaders,butalsoyieldimpressivelearningresults!(NiftyFifty2012)MarnieHalpern,Ph.D.–Withapassionforresearch,thisbiologistattheCarnegieInstitutionforScienceinBaltimore,ismakingamazinginroadsintothestudyofthebrainandnervoussystembystudyingthetinyzebrafish.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)MargaretHamburg,M.D.–SincebeingappointedCommissioneroftheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)byPresidentObamain2009,thisinnovativemedicalresearcherandpublicpolicyexpertischartingnewcoursesinprotectingpublichealthinawiderangeofFDAinitiatives–fromthefoodsweeattothemedicineswetake.Learnhowherreformsimpactusall!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)HeidiHammel,Ph.D.–LetthisleadingplanetaryastronomerandHubbleTelescopescientisttakeyoudeepinsidethemysteriesofplanets,includingherfavoritecelestialbodies–UranusandNeptune(twoofthefarthestplanetsfromEarth).LearnalsohowsheishelpingtobuildthenextbigspacetelescopeafterHubble!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)ChristyHansen-AsaNASAmanagerheraccomplishmentsaremany,includingservingasacertifiedastronautEVA(extra-vehicularactivity)instructor,andworkingonprogramsinvolvingtheInternationalSpaceStation,SpaceShuttleandtheHubblespacetelescope.HerpresentworkincludesmanagingairbornesciencemissionsthatstudyEarth’ssystemsallovertheplanet.NowhangonasshetakesyouinsideoneofhermostchallengingandexcitingNASAassignments:theambitiousIceBridgeProjectsetinAntarctica!(X-STEM2017)PatrickT.Harker,Ph.D.-the11thpresidentandchiefexecutiveofficeroftheFederalReserveBankofPhiladelphia.Inthisrole,PresidentHarkerparticipatesontheFederalOpenMarketCommittee,whichformulatesthenation'smonetarypolicy.(X-STEM2017)BernardHarris,M.D.–ThisphysicianservedasaNASAastronautfrom1990to1996,includingflyingaboardSTS-55(SpacelabD-2),Columbia,andasPayloadCommanderonSTS-63in1995(inwhichhebecamethefirstAfricanAmericantowalkinspace).Learnofhisperspectiveonthefutureofspaceflight,andofhiscareertransitiontoChiefExecutiveOfficerandManagingPartnerofVesaliusVentures,Inc.,aventurecapitalfirmfocusedonearly-stagecompaniesinmedicalinformaticsandtechnology.(X-STEM2014)DotHarris–Knownforherreputationasatrailblazerintheenergyindustry,thisengineer-entrepreneurwasrecentlyappointedbyPresidentObamaasDirectoroftheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy'sOfficeofEconomicImpactandDiversity.DiscoverthroughthisposthowsheishelpingtoprepareandempowerwomenandminoritiesforthechallengingSTEMworkforceoftomorrow!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)GeorgeHart,Ph.D.–He'snotonlyanotedmathematicianbutalsoarecognizedsculptorandvisualartist.LearnhowheiswowingK-12andadultaudiencesacrossthecountrybycombiningthesedisciplinestodemonstratethe¨beauty¨ofmathematicsbasedonhisstunningworksofgeometric-inspiredsculptureandother3Dconstructions!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2016)

MatthewHartings,Ph.D.–Letthisnotedchemistwithayenforeverythingculinaryrevealthesecretstodeliciouscookingfromanuncommonperspective:chemistry!Discoverwhyhis¨ChemistryofCooking¨courseatAmericanUniversityisnotonlywildlypopularamongstudentsforexplainingchemistryinexcitingways,buthowtheyalsocomeawayfromhisclasswithamazingsecretsformakingtheperfecticecream,macaroniandcheeseandotherdishes.(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)CindyHasselbring–ThisveteranhighschoolteacherofmathematicsrecentlycompletedhersecondappointmentasanAlbertEinsteinDistinguishedEducatorFellowattheNationalScienceFoundationinWashingtonwhereshehelpedshapenationaleducationpolicyinSTEM(science,technology,engineeringandmathematics).ShenowservesasDigital/STEMLearningOfficerfortheMarylandStateDepartmentofEducation.Gainfirst-handinsightfromherintowhereSTEMisheadinginournation‘sschools!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)NanHauser,Ph.D.–Hearhowtheworkofthispassionatescientist-conservationistintheremotetropicalregionoftheCookIslandsisleadingtopromisinginroadstostudyandsavetheendangeredhumpbackwhale!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)RobertHazen,Ph.D.–Goback4.5billionyearsagowiththisworld-renownedgeophysicistasherecreatesanddescribes(basedonhisacclaimedresearch)howtheEarth’ssurfaceevolvedintowhatweknowitastoday.Hisfindingswillastoundyou!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)JillHeinerth-Oneofthefewwomenintheworldtorisetoprominenceinthefieldsofunderwaterexplorationandcavediving,thisadventurerwilltakeyoudeepbeneaththesurfaceofsomeofthemostdangerousandfascinatingwaterylocationsontheplanet!(X-STEM2017)MartinHendry,Ph.D.–You´llneverlookatblackholes,explodingstarsandtheBigBanginsamewayagainafterthisworld-renownedastrophysicistfromtheUniversityofGlasgowtakesyoudeepinsideLIGO´srecentgroundbreakingdiscoveryofgravitationalwavesintheuniverse!(X-STEM2016)HomerHickan–TheHollywoodfilm,OctoberSky,wasbasedonhishighlyacclaimedbook,RocketBoys,andhisskillasanaeronauticalengineerforNASAwasvitalinbuildingspacecraftandtrainingastronautstoworkinspace.Discoverhowhislife'sjourneythroughengineeringandwritinghaveyieldedfascinatingresults!(NiftyFifty2012)CharlesHiggins,Ph.D.–Imaginearobotwiththesightandmotiondetectionabilityofamothordragonfly.Welcometotheworldofinsect-inspiredroboticswiththisnotedelectricalengineerandneuro-researcher!Learnmoreaboutthisemergingfieldandwhereitistakingroboticsinthefuture!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)DarrenHiggins,Ph.D.–You’llmarvelatthisyoungHarvardmicrobiologist,whoisalreadyknownfordevelopingaviablevaccineforthedeadlybacteria,Listeria,andco-foundingtheamazingstartupGenoceaBiosciences!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)StephanieHill-Wanttoimpactpeople´slives?DiscoverfromthisprominentengineerandexecutiveatLockheedMartinthemanywaysyoucanchangetheworldthroughengineeringandotherSTEMfields,andwhymorewomenandminoritiesareneededinthesecareers!(X-STEM2017)

SupriyaHobbs–Althoughjustfreshoutofcollege,thisyoungengineerismakingheadlinesasCEOandCo-founderofMissPossible,anexcitingnewlineofdollsandappsjustlaunchedtoinspireyounggirlsinengineering,basedonsomeofthemostnotedwomeninnovatorsinSTEM!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)JohnHoldren,Ph.D.–WhatisitliketoserveastheScienceAdvisortothePresidentoftheUnitedStates?GainperspectivefromthisnotedaeronauticsandplasmaphysicsresearcherwhoworksasthesenioradvisortoPresidentObamaonscienceandtechnology!(X-STEM2014)JasonHolt–You'veundoubtedlyseenorheardoftheexcitinggroundbreakingcreationsdevelopedbythisengineerandserialentrepreneuratGoogleX--unforgettableimmersiveexperiencessuchasGoogle'sLiquidGalaxy,andStreetView.Nowmeetthisinnovatorandlearnthestorybehindhiscreations!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)TristanHübsch,Ph.D.–HangonasthisnotedphysicistandmathematicianfromHowardUniversitytakesyouonajourneythroughthreeofthemostexcitingandchallengingrealmsofphysics:thestringtheory,high-energyparticlephysics,andsupersymmetry!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)RobertHufnagel,M.D.,Ph.D.–AsclinicalfellowattheOphthalmicGeneticsandVisualFunctionBranchoftheNationalEyeInstitute,heisconductingcuttingedgeclinicalandlaboratoryresearchofgeneexpression,moleculargenetics,cellbiology,andmolecularinteractionsimportanttotheeyefortheprevention,diagnosis,andtreatmentofdiseasesaffectingtheeyeandthevisualsystem.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)TenayaHurst–AsfounderofthecompanyRogueMaking,she’soneoftheleadingevangelistsintheMakerMovement.HerunforgettableworkshopsintheartandscienceofcreatingwearabletechdeviceswillshowyouwhytheMakerMovementisamongthehottestpursuitsinSTEM!(X-STEM2016)NizarIbrahim,Ph.D.–He’soneofthefastestrisingpaleontologistsontheinternationalscenetoday.Lethimtakeyouinsidehismostnotedachievements,includingthediscoveryofoneofthelargestdinosaurboneseverunearthedinNorthAfrica!(X-STEM2016)BarringtonIrving–Hemadehistoryin2007bybecomingtheyoungestpersontopilotaplanesoloaroundtheworld(andthefirstAfricanAmericantoaccomplishthisfeat).Nowdiscoverhowheisfurtherinspiringkidsinaeronauticalsciencebydevelopingthefirst-everflyingclassroomthroughhisnon-profitorganization,ExperienceAviation!(X-STEM2014)ShonIsenhour–He'sahigh-techtroubleshooter,anengineerwhocollaboratesacrossawidespectrumofindustries--frompharmaceuticaltopetrochemical--toinvestigateandfindsolutionstohowmanufacturingcompaniescanproducetheirproductsmoreefficiently.HearhimasheimmersesyouintothegrowingfieldofReliabilityEngineering!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)IrwinJacobs,Ph.D.–Meetthismild-manneredformerMITengineeringprofessorwhoco-foundedthetelecommunicationsgiantQualcomm.Learnhowitstechnology(bornfromhissingleidea)is

usedoncellphonesworldwideandisrevolutionizingthenextgenerationofdigitaldevices!(X-STEM2015)ErichJarvis,Ph.D.–Usinginnovativeresearchtechniquesthatoftendefyconvention,thisleadingneurobiologistisdemonstratingwhatthesongbirdcanrevealabouttheevolutionofhumanlanguageandlearnedbehavior!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)GregoryH.Johnson-ThisaeronauticalengineerwasanastronautontwoSpaceShuttlemissionsandservedasadecoratedAirForcecombatpilot.Discovertodayhowhe,asPresidentandExecutiveDirectorfortheCenterfortheAdvancementofScienceinSpace(CASIS),isidentifyinginnovativewaystoapplyscientificresultsfromtheInternationalSpaceStationtobenefitlifeonEarth!(X-STEM2017)JamesH.Johnson,Jr.,Ph.D.–AsoneoftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency’stopscientists,heisattheforefrontofusingthelatestinscienceandengineeringtechnologytoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironmentfrompotentialhazards.Discoverfromthisexpertthepracticalthingsweallcandoeachdaytobecomebetterprotectorsandstewardsoftheplanet!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)KirkJohnson,Ph.D.–LettherenowneddirectoroftheSmithsonianNationalMuseumofNaturalHistoryunveilthescientificwondersofthislandmarkmuseum,andwhatittakestobeaworld-classpaleontologist!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)VeronicaJohnson–Thispopularon-airmeteorologistatNBC4inWashington,DCsaidshewould'vebeenastormchaseracrosstheGreatPlainsifshehadnotsettledonacareerinTVweathercasting.Getreadyasshetakesyoudeepinsidethemysteriesofthunderstorms,tornadoes,hurricanesandothercataclysmicmeteorologicoccurrencesofMotherNature!(X-STEM2016)ThomasD.Jones,Ph.D.–What'sitliketoliftoffonaShuttlemissionboundfortheInternationalSpaceStationwith6millionpoundsofthrustbeneathyou?HangonfortherideofyourlifeasthisnotedplanetaryscientistandformerNASAastronauttakesyoudeepinsidehis11-yearcareerasaleadingspaceexplorer!(X-STEM2014)StellaKafka,Ph.D.–ExploretheloftyheightsofspacewiththisnotedastronomerfromtheCarnegieInstitutionofWashingtonasshetakesyouintoherresearchexamininghowspaceweatheraroundstarsaffectsextra-solarplanetaryworlds!(NiftyFifty2010)JamesKakalios,Ph.D.–WhatcanwelearnaboutphysicsfromsuperheroessuchasSpidermantheFlash?Plenty,saysthisnotedresearcherandauthorof“ThePhysicsofSuperheroes”.Discoverwhathemeans!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)DeanKamen–He’ssometimescalledamodern-dayEdisonforthesheernumberandimpactofhisinventions--whichrangefromtheSegwayhumantransporterandrevolutionaryroboticprostheticarmtotheiBOTbattery-poweredwheelchair.Butinadditiontohiscreations,gettoknowthemanwhofoundedFIRST,theamazingoutreachmovementwhichisinspiringkidsinroboticsandotherSTEMareaslikeneverbefore!(X-STEM2015)

RebeccaKamen–Theboundariesbetweenscienceandartarenotasblurredasyoumightthink.Discoverwhyasthisnotedartist-sculptorandEmeritusProfessorfromNorthernVirginiaCommunityCollegetakesyouinsideherrenownedcollectionofscience-inspiredworks!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)MichaelKassner,Ph.D.—LearnabouttheambitiousoutreachplansinSTEMthattheOfficeofNavalResearchisemployingtomeetthechallengeofattractingtomorrow’sinnovatorsinscienceandengineering.(NiftyFifty2012)DacherKeltner,Ph.D.–Whataretheoriginsofouremotions--feelingssuchashappiness,loveandcompassion?GainexcitinginsightasthisrenownedsocialpsychologistfromUCBerkeleytakesyoudeepinsidethebiologicalandevolutionaryrootsofthekeyemotionsthathelpdefineusashumans,andhowtheyimpactsocialinteraction!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)KevinJ.Kinsella–Thispowerhouseontheventurecapitalstart-upscenewillshowyouthepowerofthinkingbiginlaunchingpromisingbusinessesinlifesciencesandtechnology!Heshouldknow:he’sstartedmorethan100suchenterprises,includingZynga–themakersofthephenomenalvideogameFarmVille.HeisalsoknownforusinghisbusinessacumeninproducingtheTonyAward-winningBroadwaymusical,JerseyBoys(andforco-producingtheGrammyAward-winningOriginalCastRecordingofthatproduction).(X-STEM2014)RebeccaKlemm,Ph.D.–Thosestuffy,boringmathematicalconceptsandprincipleswillliterallytakeonanexcitinglifeoftheirownundertheskillfuldirectionofthisformermathematicseducator.YounglearnerswilljumpforjoywhentheyinteractwithDr.Klemm(akaTheNumbersLady)andthefun,engagingtroupeofanimatednumericalcharactersinherprogram,NumbersAlive!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)HeatherKnight–Delveintothefuturisticworldofsocialroboticswiththisinnovativegraduatestudentwhoisdevelopingrobotsthatperformstand-upcomedy,homecompanionshipandothersocialinteraction!(NiftyFifty2012)NancyKnowlton,Ph.D.–Theworld’scoralreefsaredisappearingatanalarmingrate.LearnfromthisrenownedSmithsonianbiologistandcoralexpertwhysheisveryconcerned–andwhythiscriticalecologicalsituationshouldconcernyouaswell.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)DonnaKocak–LetthisnotedengineeratHarrisGovernmentCommunicationSystemstakeyoudeeptodiscoverhowmarinetechnologyisrevolutionizingthestudyoftheoceanfloor!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)JimKohlhaas–Whatarethechallengeswefaceinincreasingourenergyefficiencyaroundtheworld?HeartheintriguinganswersfromtheVicePresident,CommercialSolutionsatTheSIOrganization,Inc.ashedescribestheroleengineeringisplayinginharnessingsuchtechnology.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)

RobertoKolter,Ph.D.–ExplorewithDr.Koltertheworldofbiofilms,apromisingareaofmicrobiologywhichinvestigateshowbacteriaandothermicrobesliveandfunctionintheirmicroscopiccommunities.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)KarenKosiba,Ph.D.–Hearfirst-handfromthismodern-daystormchaserwhatitwasliketoparticipateinVORTEX2,thelargest-everresearchprojecttoexplorewhatcausesdevastatingtornadoes.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)McKenaKovar–Don’tmissthisyoungengineerfromOceaneeringInternationalasshetakesyouinsideherchallengingjobofdesigningtoolsthatrepairequipmentinsubseaoilfieldslocatedmorethan10,000feetbelowthesurface!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)SeemaKumar–HowcanAmericaattractandmaintainmoreinnovators?ExplorethequestionwiththisprominentsciencecommunicatorwhocurrentlyservesasVicePresidentofInnovation,GlobalHealthandPolicyCommunicationatJohnson&Johnson.Herthought-provokingsolutionswillinspireyou!(X-STEM2015)EastonLaChappelle–Meetthis18-year-oldinventorwhodevelopedafuturisticandaffordableneural-controlledprostheticarmthatstandstochangethelivesofnumerousamputees.Plus,discoverhowhecreatedhisroboticinventionalmostsolelythrough3Dprinting!(X-STEM2015)RobertLang,Ph.D.–Discoverfromthisrenownedphysicistandorigamiexpertwhatthecenturies-oldartoforigamicanrevealaboutthemysteriesofmathematicsandscience!(X-STEM2015)Corinna¨Cori¨Lathan,Ph.D.–Inspiredbythephysicalchallengesastronautsmustovercomewhileinorbit,thishuman-performanceengineerfoundedherowncompanycalledAnthroTronix,whichtodayisdesigningsomeoftheglobe’smostadvancedhuman-inspiredassistivetechnologies.Discoverhowherroboticsandcomputer-basedproductsareassistingeveryonefromchildrenwithdisabilitiestomilitarysoldiers!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)ConradLautenbacher,Jr.,Ph.D.–Providingaplatformforscientificaccuracyanddiscussiononthetimelyissueofclimatechange--isitpossible?LetthisretiredNavyViceAdmiraltellyouhowhediditwithnationsaroundtheglobeduringhistenureasAdministratorofNOAA!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)ErinLavik,Ph.D.–Advancingthedevelopmentofartificialbloodplatelets,andfurtheringthetreatmentoftraumaticbraininjuryandglaucomaarejustsomeofvitalresearchendeavorsofthisbiomedicalengineer.Hearheramazingstory!(NiftyFifty2012)SeanLawton-ThisnotedmathematicianatGeorgeMasonUniversityisnotonlyconductinggroundbreakingresearchthathasapplicationsinsuchfrontiersas3Dprintingandvirtualreality,butisalsoonamissionthroughhiswildlypopularoutreachactivitiestoexciteK-12studentsaboutthepowerofmathematics.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)DiandraLeslie-PeleckyPh.D.–Buckleupasthisnotedphysicist(whopennedthebookThePhysicsofNASCAR)takesyouonfull-throttlejourneythroughthescienceofracecardrivingandotheraspectsofspeed!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)

JoelLeonard–Maintenancetechnicianjobssuchasmechanic,welderandairconditioningtechnicianoftencarrythestigmaofbeingmenial'greasemonkey'jobs.Butlearnhowthisself-described"MaintenanceEvangelist"ischangingthatimagebymotivatingyoungpeopletopursuethesewell-paying,vitalpositionsinhightechnology!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)AlanLeshner,Ph.D.–HeservesasChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScience(AAAS)andExecutivePublisheroftherenownedSciencemagazine.Discoverthechallengeshefacesinhelpingtobridgethegapbetweenscienceandthegeneralpublic.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)CharlesLimb,M.D.–Inhisquesttodiscoverhowthebraincreatesandperceivesmusic,learnwhatthissurgeon-researcherandmusicianislearningfromjazzandhip-hopartists.(NiftyFifty2012)AlbertYu-MinLin-Discoverthisexciting,innovativeyoungscientistandhisambitiousnewcompanycalledPlanet3aimedatpresentingtheentireEarthasalivedigitallearninglaboratoryplatforminyourclassroom!(X-STEM2017)GeoffreyLing,M.D.,Ph.D.–DiscoverhowthisrenownedspecialistinbrainandspinalcordinjuryisrevolutionizingthedevelopmentofhighlyfunctionalprostheticlimbsforreturningwoundedsoldiersandothersthroughhisworkattheDefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA).(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2016)

ChrisLinthwaite–Whilerecoveringfromanautoaccidentatage12,thishigh-profileexecutiveofbiotechnologygiantLifeTechnologiesbecamefascinatedbyhowbonesbreakandrepairthemselves.Today,hehelpsdeveloplife-savingdrugsandtherapiesatthisglobalcompanywithcustomersinmorethan160countries.(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)

HodLipson,Ph.D.–Findoutfromthisnotedengineerwhathisbiologically-inspiredrobotscantellusaboutourownevolutionashumans.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)MarioLivio,Ph.D.–DelveintothemysteriousworldofBlackHoles,supernovasanddarkenergywiththisworld-renownedphysicistfromtheSpaceTelescopeInstitute!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)BeauLotto,Ph.D.–Discoverfromthisiconoclastinneuro-researchandscienceeducationhowagroupofprimaryschoolstudentsinhissciencelearningventureachievedtheunbelievabletaskofhavingtheirresearchprojectresultspublishedinaninternationally-recognizedpeer-reviewedsciencejournal!(NiftyFifty2012)DaisyPistey-Lyhne–LearnhowthiseducatorwiththeAllianceforClimateEducationmakessciencestickinthemindsofhighschoolstudentsthroughtheuseofhip-hopmusic,animationandhumor!(NiftyFifty2010)GaryMachlis,Ph.D.–OurNationalParks,withtheirnaturalbeauty,aresteepedinscience.HearfromtheParkService’sfirstScienceAdvisor,howheisturningthesenationaltreasurersintoplacesofscientificdiscovery.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)

SanjayMacwan–ThisAT&TTechnologyandInnovationexecistakingthecompany'sspiritofinnovationtothenextlevelthroughacollaborativeeffortwithventurecapitalistsandstartupcompaniesintechnology.Hearwhyheismakingnews!(NiftyFifty2012)AnnMakosinski-Thestoryofthisamazing18-year-oldstudentwillinspireyou!Attheageof15,shegainedinternationalattentionforherinventionoftheHollowFlashlight--aflashlightthatrunsofftheheatofthehumanhand.Discoverwhatthisinnovationmaymeanforfutureenergy-savingtechnologies!(X-STEM2016)KostaMakrodimitris,Ph.D.–Learnhowthistrulymulti-disciplinarianscientistisusinghisskillsinchemistry,publichealth,bioinformatics,computationalscienceandotherareastoassurethesafetyandefficiencyofnewdrugsandmedicaldevices!(NiftyFifty2012)StanMaloy,Ph.D.–GetthelatestinsightsintotheworldofmicrobiologistsandtheirtoolsofsciencewithDr.Maloy,andlearnwhythesescientistsareknownasfront-linedefendersintheexpandingbattleagainstgermsandbacteria.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)ErikaMatunis,Ph.D.–LetthisnotedcellbiologistatJohnsHopkinsMedicalSchooltakeyouinsidehergroundbreakingresearch:howstemcellsrenewanddifferentiate,andwhatthismeanstosheddingnewlightonhowcellsdivideduringreproduction!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)CamsieMcAdams–CanyoumotivateK-12studentssuccessfullyinmaththroughrapmusic,creativewritingandbrownies?WellthisSTEMDirectorforDCPublicSchoolsis!Hearherexcitingstory.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)AlanMcCormack,Ph.D.–DiscoverhowthisveteraneducatorandpresidentoftheNationalScienceTeachersAssociationisusingmagicpresentationsbasedontheHarryPotterphenomenontoignitestudents’excitementinscience!NiftyFifty2012,(X-STEM2014)MauraMcLaughlin,Ph.D.–Learnhowthepioneeringworkofthisnotedastrophysicistinstudyingpulsarsandgravitationalwavesishelpingtochangethewayscienceviewstheuniverseandthelawsthatgovernit.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)JamesMcLurkin,Ph.D.–Thisdynamicyoungroboticsinnovator,whowasnamedoneofTimemagazine'stop5engineers,isknownfordevelopingthepromisingnewgenreofroboticscalled¨antrobots¨basedoninspirationfromhisantfarm.Discoverhowtheseantrobotsareprovidingexcitinginsightsintoartificialintelligenceandtheconnectionbetweenengineeringandbiology!(X-STEM2015)MarciaMcNutt,Ph.D.–FromservingasDirectoroftheU.S.GeologicalSurveygovernmentagencytohercurrentpostasEditor-in-ChiefoftheprestigiousjournalScience(twopostsinwhichshebecamethefirstwomantobeappointed),thisprominentgeophysicistisknownforhergroundbreakingachievements.LearnhowaseditorofSciencesheisusinghervastexpertisetoinfluencethedirectionofhowsciencediscoveryiscommunicatedinawiderangeofresearchfrontiers!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)

JessicaMeir,Ph.D.–Sincechildhood,shedreamedofbecominganastronaut.NowdiscoverhowthatdreamhasbecomearealityforthismarinebiologistandrecentgraduateofNASA´srigorousastronauttrainingprogram,andhowshecouldpossiblybeselectedtobeamongthefirsthumanstotraveltoMars!(X-STEM2016)Spyridon(Spiros)Michalakis,Ph.D.-ExplorethefutureofphysicswiththisamazingquantumphysicistfromCaltechUniversitywhoservedasscientificadvisorfortheHollywoodmovie,Ant-Man.(X-STEM2016)M.ColemanMiller,Ph.D.–HearthisrenownedastronomerfromtheUniversityofMarylandashedescribesinfascinatingdetailthekeyroleblackholesandneutronstarsplayinthedevelopmentofgalaxies.Hisstudiesarealsoindicatingthatresearchmaysoonenableustoseestarseatenbyblackholesanddetectvariationsinspace-timecausedbythesemysteriousentities.(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)StephenMitroff,Ph.D.–Theemergingfrontierofvisualcognitionisbeingappliedinmyriadways--frompotentiallife-savingsituationsinmedicineandairportsecurity,toenhancingtrainingofhigh-performingathletes.Discoverfromthisnotedcognitivescientistwhathisgroundbreakingresearchinthisfieldisrevealing,includingabouttheperilsoftextingwhiledriving,andhowvideogamingisbeingusedbymedicine,securityandotherprofessionstosharpenvisualaccuracyduringon-the-jobsearchtasks.(NiftyFifty2015/2016)CatherineMohr,M.D.–Shebeganhercareerdevelopingalternative-energyvehiclesandhigh-altitudeaircraft,butdiscoverwhysheisknowntodayforadifferenthigh-techpursuit:creatingthenextgenerationofsurgicalrobotsandroboticprocedures!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)ErikaMontague,Ph.D.–ThisnotedoceanographeratOceanGate,Inc.hasplumbedthedepthsoftheseainthelatestsubmersiblevehiclesandevenservedasamemberofJamesCameron’sDeepseaChallengeteam,butlearnwhatfascinateshermostabouttheworldbeneaththeocean!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)RubenMorales–LearnhowthisTritechInternationalengineerandformerNavalsubmarineristacklingsomethemostchallengingsubseamarketstoday,includingEnergy,DefenseandUnderwaterVehicles!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)AngelaLeimkuhlerMoran,Ph.D.–WhenthisnotedprofessorofMaterialsEngineeringattheU.S.NavalAcademyisnotteachingmidshipmen,sheisdeeplyinvolvedwithheraward-winningoutreachprogramstoinspireK-12studentsinSTEM.Learnthesecretsofhowsheismotivatingtheinnovativeleadersoftomorrow!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)CorrieMoreau,Ph.D.-ThisprominentevolutionarybiologistatChicago´srenownedFieldMuseumofNaturalHistorytransformedherchildhoodloveofantsintoaresearchfocusthatissheddingfascinatinglightontheevolutionanddiversificationofthesecreatures!(X-STEM2017)FrankMorgan,Ph.D.–ThisprofessorofMathematicsatWilliamsCollegecarriesloftycredentials--includingbeingknownforprovingmath’sfamous¨DoubleBubble¨conjecture.Butdiscoverfirst-

handhowheisequallypassionateaboutmotivatingyoungstudentsinmathematicsinexcitingwaysthroughhisaward-winningteachingandoutreachtechniques!(X-STEM2015)S.BrentMorris,Ph.D.–HewrotehisPh.D.dissertationonthemathematicsofcardshuffling,nowdiscoverhowheisexcitingandmotivatingkidsintheconceptsofmathandcomputersciencethroughcardtricks!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)KamNg,Ph.D.–Learnfirst-handofhisplansandchallengesincarryingouttheNavy’sambitiousinitiativesinSTEMtohelpattractthenextgenerationofyounginnovators.(NiftyFifty2012)MatthewNordan–Scientificdiscoverytodayisintimatelytiedtobusinesssavvy.Learnwhyfromthisnotedentrepreneurwhotrainedinscientificresearchandwhoco-foundedLuxResearchin2004andnowservesasvicepresidentatthecapitalinvestmentfirmVenrock.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2013/2014)MarkNorell,Ph.D.–Thisscientist,CuratoratNewYork’sfamousAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory,isoneoftheworld’sforemostpaleontologists.Getreadyforadventureashesharestheexcitementofuncoveringhistoricspecimensofmeat-eatingdinosaursfromMongolia’sGobiDesertandotherremotelocationsoftheworld!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)KennethOlden,Ph.D.–Ourenvironmentispossiblymoreimportantthangeneticsindeterminingourhealth,saysthisprominentenvironmentalscientist.AsadirectorwiththeU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),heisleadinganefforttocombinesciencewithactivecommunityengagementinempoweringcitizenstotakemorecontrolofenvironmentalfactorsthatimpacthumanhealth.(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015) KathieOlsen,Ph.D.–She'saneuroscientistwhowentontoserveasChiefScientistforNASA,andastheDeputyDirectorandChiefOperatingOfficeroftheNationalScienceFoundation(NSF).Andnow,headingherownscienceandtechnologyconsultingfirmknownasScienceWorks,she'llgiveyoutimelyinsightintohowscientificexpertiseisusedtomakealastingimpactinsciencepolicy.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)Tolulope“Tolu”Olugboji,Ph.D.–GrowingupinhisnativecountryofNigeria,thisUniversityofMarylandgeoscientistexcelledatusingthecomputertosolvedauntingproblemsinmathandphysics.Getreadyforhands-onexcitementashedemonstrateshowhishigh-techcomputermodelsaretodaystudyingseismicactivitydeepbeneaththeEarth’ssurface!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)CharlesOrgbonIII-Hefoundedtheyouth-runenvironmentalorganizationcalledGreeningForwardasawebsiteatage12.NowdiscoverhowthisUniversityofGeorgiastudenthastransformedtheorganizationintoadynamicglobalnetworkofyoungenvironmentalchangemakerswhoareimpactingawiderangeofissues--fromwaterconservationtowasterecycling.(X-STEM2017)MichaelOrrison,Ph.D.–Althoughheisknownnationallyforhisresearchintotheloftyfrontiersofmathematicaltheory,thismathprofessoratHarveyMuddUniversityisequallyrespectedbystudentsforhisabilitytoconnectmathematicsinexcitingwaystosucheverydaytopicsasart,historyandmusic.Discoverwhyhis¨MathematicsofVoting¨courseisconsistentlyoneofthemostpopularamonghislearners!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)

JasonOsborne–Hangonasthisco-founderoftheexcitingnaturalscienceexplorationorganizationknownasPaleoQuesttakesyoudeepunderwaterinsearchofnewspeciesofsharks,whalesandothermarinemammalsfromourancientpast!(X-STEM2014,X-STEM2015)JenniferOuellette–Intimidatedbyscienceandmathasastudent,shehassincerisentobecomeoneofthenation’smostnotedsciencewritersandauthors.Discoverheruniqueandintriguingwritingstyleofcommunicatingthatscienceisindeedeverywhere!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)KarenPanetta,Ph.D.–Learnhowthisengineeringprofessorandhernationally-acclaimedoutreachprogramcalled“NerdGirls”ischangingthewaymanyK-12femalestudentslookatengineeringanditsmanycareeropportunities.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)ElizabethParry–Learnfromthisnotedexpertininquiry-basedclassroomtechniqueshowtowowstudentsthroughmotivatingexperiencesinscienceandengineeringthatthey'resuretoremember!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)DanaPerkins,Ph.D.–LearnhowshemadethetransitionfromabenchscientistinmicrobiologytoakeygovernmentpolicymakeronbioterrorismandbiosecurityattheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)MarkPerks,Ph.D.–ThiseducatorattheUniversityofMarylandhastaughtchemistryfromcentralPennsylvaniatoWestAfrica.Learnhowthesedifferentexperienceshavecontributedtohisuniquestyleofmakingthewonderandcomplexitiesofchemistrycomealiveforstudents!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)JonPerry-Discoverhowthisartist-whohascreatedanimatedvideosforsuchgiantsasNASAandtheNSF--isnowexcitingviewersworldwidewithhisanimatedworksinhisnewwebsiteventurecalledStatedClearly.Youwon’tbelievehowintriguinghemakesgeneticsandevolution!(X-STEM2016)EmanuelF.“Chip”PetricoinIII,Ph.D.–He’soneoftheworld’sleadingexpertsintheemergingbiotechfieldofproteomics.LearnhowthisfrontierisbuildinguponthesuccessoftheHumanGenomeProjecttoopenupnewvistasintheearlydetectionandtreatmentofcancer!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)DarryllPines,Ph.D.–Learnfromthis¨cando¨engineerandDeanoftheprestigiousClarkSchoolofEngineeringattheUniversityofMarylandwhatAmericamustdotomaintainitsgloballeadershipinengineering.Inaddition,discoverhowmanyvisionaryapproachesthathehasledandimplementedarealreadybearingfruitinattractingandretainingengineeringstudents.(NiftyFifty2015/2016)BrianaPobiner,Ph.D.–LetthisnotedpaleoanthropologistandscienceeducatorfromtheSmithsoniantakeyouonanunforgettablejourneyintoourevolutionarypastassheexploresthelivesofourancestorsandhowtheyinfluencedourpenchantformeat-eatingandotherdietaryhabits!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)JeffPotter–Thiscomputersoftwareengineer’swildlypopularbook,CookingFor

Geeks--deemedbytheWashingtonPostasoneofthemostusefulbooksonunderstandingcooking--isamust-readforanyoneinterestedinthescienceofculinaryarts.Discoverhowthisself-describedgeekcombineshispassionforscienceandcookingtoeducatestudentsandthepublicaboutthejoysofsatisfyingthepalate!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)CiaraProctor–Solvingtechnologicalproblemsandovercomingpersonalchallengesarecharacteristicsthataremakingthisrecentcomputersciencegradoneofthecountry'srisingyoungwomenincomputingtowatchinthefuture!AchievementsinherburgeoningcareeralreadyincludewinningtheprestigiousAspirationsinComputingAwardgivenbytheNationalCenterforWomenInInformationTechnology(NCWlT),andservingasasoftwaredeveloperforChicago’snotedIMCFinancialMarkets--oneoftheworld’smostactiveproprietarytradingfirms.(NiftyFifty2015/2016)StevenProjan,Ph.D.–ThistopscientistatMedImmuneishelpingtodiscoveranddevelopanewgenerationofantibioticsandvaccinestobattlethegrowingspreadofresistantbacteriaaroundtheworld--andsavecountlesslivesintheprocess!(X-STEM2015)MicheleWeslanderQuaid–She’soneofthetopinnovatorsintechnology,andalsoamongthenation’smostpassionateSTEMadvocates.DiscoverhowinherpositionasChiefInnovationEvangelistatGooglesheisinspiringcountlessyounglearnerswithhermotto:¨Studentsarenevertooyoungtochangetheworld!¨(X-STEM2015)AlfredoQuiñones-Hinojosa,M.D.–ThiseminentneurosurgeonandresearcheratJohnsHopkinsSchoolofMedicinesays:“Myhandsusedtopickweedsasanimmigrantinthiscountry.Nowtheyperformbrainsurgery.”Hearhisamazingstory!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)MargaretRace,Ph.D.–HowcanscientistsbestavoidintroducingharmfulmicrobesfromotherplanetstoEarthduringspaceexploration?DiscoverhowthisastrobiologistattheSETIInstituteisattheforefrontofansweringsuchquestionsintheemergingfieldofPlanetaryProtection!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)AinissaRamirez,Ph.D.–Learnhowthisnotedmaterialsscientist,throughhergroundbreakingresearchin‘smart’metalsandsolders,ishelpingtorevolutionizethewayalloysareusedineverythingfromcellphonestolife-savingmedicaldevices.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)CarolReiley–LearnhowthissavvyPh.D.studentincomputerscienceisattheforefrontofusheringinanewfrontieroftechnology:teleoperatedroboticswhichisenablingsophisticatedhumanoidmachinestohelpperformeverythingfromsurgeryandspaceexplorationtodisasterrescue!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)BobReiss–Thisworld-traveledjournalistandauthorwilltellyouwhythecurrenticemeltclimateconditionsintheArcticrepresentbothchallengesandpitfallsforAmerica!(X-STEM2014)KarenRennich–WhyarebeepopulationsintheU.S.decliningatanalarmingrate,andwhatcanbedoneaboutit?Learnhowtheworkofthisengineer/beekeeper,asExecutiveDirectoroftheBeeInformedPartnership,isrevealingfascinatinginsights!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)

MelissaRhoads–Theabilitytocapture,manageandanalyzehugeandcomplexsetsofdataisatremendouschallengebyanymeans,butdiscoverhowthisdataanalyticsstrategistatLockheedMartinishelpingtoleadtheefforttoharnessbigdatatoimprovecybersecurity,diseasedetection,energymanagementandotherfields!(X-STEM2014)LauraRichman,DVM,PhD–Thisnotedveterinarianscientistandmolecularvirologistlaunchedhercareer18yearsagobyidentifyingamysterious,fatalvirusthatwaskillingelephants.Learntodayhowsheissavinghumanlivesbydevelopinghigh-techmedicinesthroughherworkintranslationalscienceatbiotechleaderMedImmune.(X-STEM2014)ClayRobinson,Ph.D.–Digdeepandgetyourhandsdirtyinthescienceofsoilwiththisrenownedenvironmentalscientist,betterknownbyK-12studentsinhisoutreachendeavorsas¨Dr.Dirt.¨Discover--throughhisexcitingandclassichands-onexperimentsandgames,whyhesays:¨Soilisnotjustdirt--Soilislife!¨(X-STEM2015)GriffinRodgers,M.D.–Discoverhowthisphysician–asdirectoroftheNationalInstituteofDiabetesandDigestiveandKidneyDiseases(NIDDK)--isleadingthefightagainstsomeofthemostseriousillnessesaffectingpublichealthtoday.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)WendyA.Rogers,Ph.D.–Recentstatisticsrevealwhatmostofusalreadyknew:Weasapopulationarelivinglonger,andthegenerationsafteruswillstandtolivelongeryet.Explorewiththisleadingresearcherhowherlabisstudyingtechnologies,includingassistiverobotics,tohelpolderindividualsmaintaintheirindependentlives,andtoagesuccessfully.(X-STEM2014)JamesRohr,Ph.D.–Whatcanengineerslearnfromdolphinsandotherfishabouthowtodesignbettersurfaceandunderwatervessels?Alot,saysthisnotedengineeringphysicistforSPAWAR.DiscoverhowheisusingsuchprinciplesinshipdesignfortheU.S.Navy!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)SteveRolston,Ph.D.–Thisphysicistin1999ledtheresearchgroupthatcreatedthefirstultracoldplasmas(gasesofionizedatoms)thattodayarehelpingscientistsbetterunderstandplasmafoundinwhitedwarfstarsandinteriorsofplanets.Discoverthegroundbreakingworkinquantumphysicsheisnowspearheadingasco-directorofthenotedJointQuantumInstitute!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)ChantelleRose–Shehasbeenselectedasamongthefirst7K-12teacherstoparticipateintheTeachersinSpaceprogram’ssuborbitalflightsinthenext2-3years.Learnhowthisaccomplishedscienceeducatorispreparingtobringtheexcitementofthisadventurebacktoherstudents!(NiftyFifty2012)RobieSamantaRoy,Ph.D.–HowisAmericadoinginmaintainingitscompetitiveedgeintechnology,includingattractingthebestandthebrightestinSTEM?ThisnotedLockheedMartinexecprovidestimely--andsurprising--insight!(X-STEM2015)KennethScheel–ThisnotedgamedeveloperinventedsuchtoysasthefamouswoodconstructiongizmocalledKEVAContraptions,andtheexcitingFlingSocktoy.Getinsidethemindofthisprolific

creatorashedemonstrateshowhisinventionsareusedasresourcesbyyounglearnersandengineersalikeinproblem-solving,designconceptionandSTEMpursuits!(X-STEM2014)EdwardScheinerman,Ph.D.–ThismathematicianatJohnsHopkinsUniversityisknownforhisadvancesingraphtheory,butalsodiscoverhowhisinnovationsasViceDeanoftheuniversity’sschoolofengineeringarehelpingtochangethewaycreative-thinkingengineersoftomorrowaretrained!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)DavidSchenone–DiscoverhowthisinnovativeleaderatNIKE,Inc.isusingtheemergingsciencefieldofbiomimicrytohelpNikecreatesomeofthelightestandfastestsportsfootwearontheplanet!(X-STEM2014)RichardSchlegel,M.D.,Ph.D.–Meetthescientistwhodevelopedthevaccineforthehumanpapillomavirus(HPV),andlearnhowthisvaccineisworkingtoreducetheincidenceofHPV,thecauseofnearlyallcasesofcervicalcancerinwomenworldwide!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)NickSchneider,Ph.D.–Letthishigh-profileastrophysicistfromtheUniversityofColoradoBouldertakeyouinsideoneofhislatestprojects--NASA'shistoricMAVENMissiontoMars,whichwaslaunchedlastyearandisduetoarriveattheRedPlanetintheFallof2014.LearnhowheledthedesignoftheMAVENroboticexplorer'ssophisticatedImagingUltraVioletSpectrographtechnologytostudyMartianupperatmosphereforthefirsttime!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)MatthewP.Scott,Ph.D.-ThisrenowneddevelopmentalbiologistandpresidentoftheesteemedCarnegieInstitutionforSciencewillfascinateyouashetakesyouinsidehisspeakers’topic:WhyDoYouLookLikeYourParents?TheStoryofGenesThatControlHowYouGrew,andtheHistoryofLife.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)JosephSchwarcz,Ph.D.–MeetDr.Joe!LearnhowthisprofessorofchemistryfromCanada’sMcGillUniversityuseshismulti-facetedskillsasachemicalscientist,magician,foodexpertandmotivationalspeakerincommunicatingsciencetokidsinfascinatingways!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2016/2017)LouieSchwartzberg–Thiscinematographerisworld-renownedforusinghisskillinhigh-speedcamerastouncoverfascinatingaspectsofnature’shiddenbeauty–wondersnotnormallydetectedbythehumaneye!(X-STEM2015)KatherineSerrano–Hearfromthisbiomedicalengineerwhysheadvisesyoungsciencestudentstolearnaforeignlanguageandtoparticipateinresearchopportunitieswithmentorswhileincollege-twoextrastepsthatwillmakethemmorecompetitiveinthechallengingfieldsoftechnology.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014),NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)CarloSequin,Ph.D.–Learnfromthisrenownedelectricalengineeringandcomputerscientisthowheusesthelatestin3Dandcomputationalresearchtocreatestunningworksofsculptureandgeometricabstractart!(X-STEM2014)KimberlyFlaggSellers,Ph.D.–LetthistrailblazingstatisticianandmathematiciandemonstratehowthepowerofStatisticsismakingadifferencegloballyinawiderangeofareas--fromhelping

scientiststrackincidenceofdiseaseandpopulationtrendstounderstandingthestockmarketandmigratorypatternsofwhales,birdsandotherwildlife!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2015)Padmanabhan(Padhu)Seshaiyer,Ph.D.–ThisprofessorofMathematicalSciencesisonapersonalmissiontochangetheoften-negativeperceptionyoungstudentshaveaboutmath.Discoverthemotivatingtechniquesheusestoturnmathhatersintomathlovers!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2015,NiftyFifty2016/2017)AnatShahar,Ph.D.-GetreadytoexploretheEarth’smysteriousoriginswiththispioneeringgeologistfromtheCarnegieInstitutionforScience.Shegainedscientificacclaimin2016forrecreatinginthelaboratorytheapproximateintensepressuresthatexistedatEarth’scorewhentheplanetwasformed!(NiftyFifty2016/2017)ArthurShapiro,Ph.D.–Delveintothefascinatingworldofthescienceofvisualillusionswiththisinternationally-knowncognitiveneuro-scientistfromAmericanUniversity.Discoverwhathisworkisteachingusabouthowopticalillusionscantricktheeyeandbrainintheperceptionofreality,andhowthisresearchisbeingappliedintherealworld--rangingfromdevisingmoreeffectivediagnosticmethodsforeyeconditions,toexplainingwhyacurveballissohardtohit!(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2015/2016,X-STEM2017)BethShapiro,Ph.D.–DelveintothepastwiththisdistinguishedevolutionarybiologistasshetakesyouinsidetheemergingfieldofancientDNAwherescientistsarediscoveringfascinatinginformationaboutourpastfromthegenesofextinctanimals.(NiftyFifty2013/2014)J.MarshallShepherd,Ph.D.–WhensuchnotablesasNASA,CongressandtheDepartmentofDefenseneedinsightintomysteriousclimateandweathersystems,theyturntothismeteorologyresearchscientist.Lethimsharehisexpertisewithyouonweatherphenomenarangingfromhurricanesandthunderstormstoclimatesystemsstudiedviasatellite,radarandhigh-techcomputermodels!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)MichaelShermer,Ph.D.–Whydohumanstendtobelievemyths,conspiraciesandthelike?ThisnotedauthorandpublisherofSkepticMagazinesaysthehumantendencytobelievestrangethings--fromalienabductionstodowsingrods--boilsdowntotwoofthebrain’smostbasic,hard-wiredsurvivalskills.Learnwhattheyare,andhowtheygetusintotrouble!(X-STEM2014)MicahSherr,Ph.D.-Fromcombatingcomputerhackingtosecuringoure-votingandmilitarydefensesystems,learnfromthisprominentGeorgetownUniversityresearcherofthechallengesheandothercomputerscientistsfaceinkeepingtheworldofcyberspacesafer.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)KennethShields-LearnhowthisSTEMexecisengagingAmericaintheexciting,groundbreakinginnovationsoftheInternationalSpaceStation(ISS)throughhisworkwithentrepreneurs,scientistsandK-12schoolsalike!(NiftyFifty2016/2017)SabrinaSholts,Ph.D.-LearnhowthisnotedSmithsoniananthropologist(whobecamehookedonacareerinthisfieldafterherfirstanthropologyclassinhighschool)isusingthestudyofbonesto

shedlightontheconnectionsbetweenhumanandenvironmentalhealthfromthedistantpasttopresentday.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)SarahShomstein,Ph.D.–Inanageofinformationoverload--characterizedbyringingcellphones,theinternet,24/7newschannelsandmulti-tasking--ourbrainsarechallengedlikeneverbeforetoprocessinformationforefficientdecision-making.Learnfromthiscognitiveneuroscientistwhatherresearchisrevealingabouthowthebrainmakesdecisions,andhowourbrainishelpingusrespondandadapttolifeintheinformationage!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)SethShostak,Ph.D.–Arewetheonlyintelligentlifeforminthegalaxy?ExplorethisandothercontroversialquestionsinastronomywiththisseniorastronomerfromtherenownedSETIInstituteinMountainView,CA!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)SiddharthaSikdar,Ph.D.–Pain.Theworditselfmakesuscringe.Butforthisnotedbioengineer,learnhowpainisamajorfocusofresearchashislabatGeorgeMasonUniversityusesthepowerofbiophysicstodevelopnewdiagnosticultrasoundtechniquestotreatanddiagnosechronicpain--anafflictionthatimpactsmillionsofAmericanseachyearandcoststhenationover$300billioninlostproductivityannually.(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)SeymourSimon–He'sbeendubbedbytheNewYorkTimesasthebestauthorofsciencebooksforchildren.Discoverthesecretbehindhisprolific30-yearcareerhowwithconsistencyheproducesbooksthatengageandexciteyoungreadersinanastonishingrangeofsciencetopics.(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)EmilianaSimon-Thomas,Ph.D.–Cantheexpressionandpracticeofgratitudeinourdailylivesactuallyenhanceourhealthandthewell-beingofthosewithwhomweinteract?LearnfromthesciencedirectorofUCBerkeley’sgroundbreakingGreaterGoodScienceCenterhowtheemergingscienceofgratitudeissheddinglightontheamazingbenefitsofhappinessandthanksgiving.DiscoveralsohowEmilanawillco-instructanunprecedentedfree8-weekonlineclass--opentolearnersworldwide--inthe¨ScienceofHappiness¨,whichstandstobetheworld’slargestonlinecourse!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)HayatSindi,Ph.D.–Strivingtoovercomeculturalandgenderbarriersinhernativecountry,discoverhowthisprominentresearcherandentrepreneurcametoco-foundabiotechcompanythatischangingthefaceofhowdevelopingcountriesdiagnosedisease.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015)SteveSmalley–LearnwhythisprojectengineerwithNorthropGrummansays,“Inacountrydrivenbytechnology,weneedmoreinventorsandengineers!”(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)MarySnitch–Shecallsit“thatmomentofsparksandlightning”–thatspecialmomentwhenastudentdecidesonhisorhercareerdirection.LearnhowthisdirectoratLockheedMartin’sWashingtonOperationsishelpingstudentsfindthatmomentthroughtheSTEMoutreachendeavorssheisinvolvedwith.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012)

DarleneSolomon,Ph.D.–ThisseniorexecutiveandtechnologyofficerforAgilentTechnologiestakesyouinsidefuturisticinnovationsonthehorizontoshowhowbiologyischangingeverything.You’lllearnhowbiologyandengineeringarecomingtogethertoaddresschallengessuchasfeedingtheworld,healingdisease,protectingtheenvironmentandmakingenergyrenewable.(X-STEM2014)SusanSolomon–DiscoverhowthissuccessfulattorneyandhealthcareadvocatebecameinspiredtoestablishtheNewYorkStemCellFoundationinherapartmentandnurturethisorganizationtowhereitisoneoftheworld’sleadingnon-profitentitiesinstemcellresearchtoday!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)AnneSpence,Ph.D.–ThisleadingengineerattheUniversityofBaltimoresaysthatthebestskillanengineercanhaveisaninquisitivemindforproblem-solving.Discoverhowsheisusingthisapproachinoutreachprogramstoinspireandmotivatemorefemalestothefield.(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012)MarcSpiegel–HetravelstheU.S.andtheworldasastorytellerandactortowowkidsandotheraudiencesaboutthelifeandscientificaccomplishmentsofAlbertEinstein.Experiencetheexcitementofthemanwhogaveuse=mc2inSpiegel’sdramaticstorytellingproduction,“EinsteinAlive!”(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)RichardSpinrad,Ph.D.–AsChiefScientistoftheprestigiousNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),hehasoneofthemostdiverselychallenging--andexciting--jobstodayinscience.Discoverwhy!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)EllenStofan,Ph.D.–HerfatherwasarocketscientistintheearlydaysoftheU.S.spaceprogram,andtodaysheismakinghermarkonthisfrontieraswell--firstasagroundbreakingplanetarygeologiststudyingtheterrainsofMars,VenusandSaturn'Moon,andnowastherecently-appointedChiefScientistatNASA.DiscoverthisfascinatingleaderinspaceexplorationandthefuturesheforeseesforNASAandspaceflight!(X-STEM2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)

RamanSundrum,Ph.D.–Thiscelebratedparticlephysicist(famousforhiscollaborationinthegroundbreakingRandall-Sundrummodelsinphysics)isprovidinginsightintosomeofthemostmysteriousrealmsofhisfield,includingwarpedspaceandparalleluniverses!Bethereashetakesyouintotheseworldsandshowswhatscienceisrevealing.(NiftyFifty2015/2016)

LauraTaalman,Ph.D.–LearnwhythiscreativeprofessorofMathematicsatJamesMadisonUniversity--withherinterestinSodukopuzzles,3Dprintingandknottheory--isconsideredoneofthemosteffectivematheducatorsinhighereducationandSTEMoutreachtoday!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)

JamesTanton,Ph.D.–Discoverfromthisnotedresearchmathematicianandmatheducator(whofoundedthewildlypopularThinkingMathematicswebsiteandbookseries)howtoaddzing,curiosityandexcitementtoclassroommathematicsinunforgettableways!(NiftyFifty2013/2014

RichardTapia,Ph.D.-ThisrenownedmathematicianatRiceUniversitywasawardedtheNationalMedalofSciencein2011forhispioneeringworkinoptimizationtheory,butdiscoverhowheis

equallycelebratedforhisinnovativeendeavorstoinspireminoritiesandfemalesinSTEM!(X-STEM2016)JohannaTeske,Ph.D.-DelveintotheexcitingworldofthisnotedastronomerfromtheCarnegieInstitutionforScienceassheexploresgiantandsmallplanetsofthesolarsystem,twinandhoststarsandotherplanetarybodiesusingsomeofthemostpowerfultelescopesinastronomy!(NiftyFifty2016/2017)

DonThomas,Ph.D.–He’sbeenanastronautonfourdifferentSpaceShuttlemissions,butdiscoverwhythisengineersayshismostrewardingjobistheonehehasnow–motivatingthenextgenerationofyoungscientistsasdirectorofTowsonUniversity’sHackermanAcademyofMathematicsandScience!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)VanessaThompson–Althoughjust15yearsold,thisinnovatorisalreadymakinghermarkbothnationallyandinternationallyinagrassrootsefforttomakemathandsciencemoreengagingforyoungstudents.ExperiencehowherStorybookMath.orgwebsite,whichhasbeenhonoredforexcellencebytheU.S.Congress,ishelpingmathconceptscomealiveforyounglearnersthroughexciting,originalvideostoriesandstorybookcharacters!(X-STEM2015)KathrynThornton,Ph.D.–AsaNASAastronaut,shelogged975hoursinspace,includingmorethan16millionmilesinorbit,andbecamethesecondAmericanwomantowalkinspacein1992.DiscoverherperspectivesonthefuturedirectionsofAmericanspaceexplorationandinsightintohercurrentworkasaprofessorwiththeSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedScienceattheUniversityofVirginia.(X-STEM2014)RobertTjian,Ph.D.–Learnfromthispreeminentmolecularbiologistwhatishappeningacrossabroadspectrumintheexcitingworldoflifesciencesresearch.Heshouldknow:Dr.TjianisthepresidentofthepowerfulHowardHughesMedicalInstitute(HHMI),oneoftheworld'slargestprivatefundersofbiomedicalresearch!(X-STEM2014)Dr.RogerTourangeau,Ph.D.–Discoverfromthisleadingsurveymethodologyexpertwhyinthisdata-drivenworldtheroleofpolls,surveysandstatisticianswillalwaysbeindemand!(NiftyFifty2012)ValerieTorres,Ph.D.–She'sknownasa"bridgebuilder"atAT&T,developinginnovationsthatconnectcustomerstosomeofthemostadvancedtelecommunicationstechnologyavailable.LearnhowthiscomputerscientistishelpingtokeepAT&Tonthecuttingedge,andthechallengessheovercameasachildtoreachcareersuccess!(NiftyFifty2012)AlanTurchik–LearnhowthisyoungengineeratNationalGeographicuseshisingenuitytogiveusthestunningremoteimagesinscienceexplorationthatwehavecometoexpectfromNG!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)

StephanTurnipseed–FindoutfromthisnotedK-12educationadvocateandpresidentofLEGOEducationhowinteractive,hands-onexperiencesintheclassroomnotonlyenhancecreativity,learninganddiscoveryatearlyages,butalsobolsterchildren'scapacitytoperseverethroughfailure!Discoverwhyhesayshands-onlearningiskeytotrainingkidsforsuccessinSTEMandotherareasofthe21stcenturyworkplace.(NiftyFifty2013/2014)

KittVanderwater–“Followyourpassionwithboldnessanddetermination!”saysthistalentedyoungGooglesoftwareengineer.DiscoverthepersonalstorybehindhermessageassheinspiresyounggirlsandotherstoovercomechallengesonthewaytoSTEMcareers!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)DennisvanEngelsdorp,Ph.D–Hearthelatestfromthishighlyacclaimedbeeresearcherwhatscienceisuncoveringaboutthemysteriousdeathanddisappearanceoftheworld’shoneybeepopulation,andwhatimpactthisphenomenonishavingontheglobe’secosystem.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2014/2015,NiftyFifty2015/2016)Maj.Gen.JacquelineD.VanOvost–FromservingasanAirForcecommandpilot,tohercurrentpositionasViceDirectoroftheJointStaffatthePentagon,thismilitaryleaderknowsthekeyrolethatSTEMplaysinkeepingthenationdefense-ready.DiscoverhowsheisusingherSTEMbackground--includingherdegreesinAeronauticalandMechanicalEngineering--tomaintainAmerica'snationalsecurity!(X-STEM2016)J.CraigVenter,Ph.D.–ThescientistwholedthefirstsequencingofthehumangenomenotonlyhasplentytosayaboutthefutureofDNAresearchdiscovery,butalsoabouthowtoreallyexcitetoday'sstudentsaboutscience(sincehewasonceaboredsciencestudenthimself)!Don'tmisshisinsight!(X-STEM2014)DanVergano—AsasciencereporterforUSATODAY,hecoverssomeofthemostfascinatingandcontroversialtopics,butlearnwhythemostrewardingpartofhisjobismakingcomplexscienceinformationbothclearandaccurateforthegeneralpublic.(NiftyFifty2010)CharlesVest,Ph.D.–LearnfromthisformerpresidentofMITwherethefieldofengineeringisgoingandhowyoungstudentscanbestprepare(basedonapersonalphilosophyhe’sfollowedthroughouthiscareer.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)LydiaVilla-Komaroff,Ph.D.–Don’tmisstheopportunitytohearthisamazingtrailblazerwhoin1975becamethethirdMexican-AmericanwomantoearnasciencePh.D.intheU.S.andlaterthescientistbehindalandmarkdiscoveryindiabetes!(X-STEM2016)NoraVolkow,M.D.–Whyareyoungstersintheirteenyearsmorevulnerabletodrugaddiction?Theanswerliesinacriticalstageofbraindevelopment,saysthispioneeringresearchpsychiatristandDirectoroftheNationalInstituteonDrugAbuseattheNIH.Discoverhowadolescentscanmitigatetherisk!(X-STEM2016)SaraVolz–Thisnext-generationscientistmadenationalnews–atjust17yearsold-whenshewonthecoveted$100,000prizeinthe2013IntelScienceTalentSearchforinventingamethodtoboostthenaturaloilcontentofalgaeforalternativefueldevelopment.Learnhowsheconductedhergroundbreakingresearchfromanelaboratelaboratoryconstructedinherbedroom!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2016)ErikaWagner,Ph.D.–LearnhowthisdynamicengineerwithBlueOriginishelpingtoleadthewayinopeningcommercialspaceflighttothepubliconmultiplelevels!(X-STEM2016)

DanniWashington-Thisrisingmarinebiologistandsciencecommunicatorhastransformedherchildhoodpassionfortheseaintoexcitingoutreachendeavorsthatinspirekidsandadultsalikeaboutthewondersoftheocean.Alsodon´tmissherdynamicnewSTEMeducationalTVseries,XplorationNatureKnowsBest,whichairedlastfallonFOXNetworks!FullSeason1EpisodescannowbeviewedonHulu.(X-STEM2017)ThorsenWehr–Whenhewasjustahighschooljunior,hewaselectedtotheprestigiousSigmaXiScientificResearchSocietyforhisgroundbreakingworkinnonlinearsoundwaves.LearnhowhiscurrentresearchasacomputersciencestudentattheUniversityofWashingtonmakeshimatopinnovatortowatchforthefuture!(X-STEM2016)PeterWeijmarshausen–Discoverhowthisinnovator,asCEOofShapeways--aNewYork-basedstart-upheco-founded,ispioneeringthenewhigh-techfieldof3Dprinting.Learnhowhisadvancesinthisfrontierareenablingproductstobemanufacturedquickerandlessexpensivelynotonlybylargecompaniesbutbyaverageentrepreneursaswell!(X-STEM2014)AlyciaWeinberger,Ph.D.–Goonthehuntforextrasolarplanetswiththisnotedresearchastronomer.LearnhowhergroundbreakingworkattheCarnegieInstitutionissheddinglightonhowplanetsareformedviayoungstarsandtheirdisks!(NiftyFifty2015/2016,NiftyFifty2016/2017)DanWerthimer,Ph.D.–Arewetheonlyintelligentlifeintheuniverse?Gainfascinatinginsightsintosuchlong-debatedquestionsfromthisnotedastronomerattheSETI(SearchforExtraterrestrialIntelligence)InstituteasherevealsSETI'slatestresearchfindings!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)JamesWest,Ph.D.–Thisacousticalscientistisworld-knownforhisinventionofthefoilelectretmicrophone.Learnhowheturnedhischildhoodfascinationwithelectricityintoacareerasaworld-classinnovatorinacoustics!(X-STEM2014)PaulWest,Ph.D.–ThisinnovatorinthefieldofAtomicForceMicroscopyisusheringinanewclassofultra-powerfulmicroscopes,helpingtogiveresearchersstunningviewsofmatterlikeneverbefore!(X-STEM2014)AaronWhite,Ph.D.–Learnhowthebrainchangesduringchildhoodandadolescenceandhowthechoiceswemake–includingalcoholanddrugs-impactourbraindevelopmentfromthisSeniorScientificAdvisortotheDirectorattheNationalInstituteonAlcoholAbuseandAlcoholism(NIAAA)attheNationalInstitutesofHealth.(NiftyFifty2016/2017)HermanWhite,Ph.D.–Hesmashesatomsforaliving.Discoverwhyyou’llnevertakeforgrantedquarks,protonsandelectronsagainafterhearingthisprominentquantumphysicistfromtheFermiNationalLaboratory!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)GeorgeWhitesides–AsCEOofVirginGalactic,heisheadingthecompany’sgoaltoexpandcommercialspacetravelfromanexperienceopenonlytotheprivilegedfewtotheaveragecitizen.Learnhowthisveteranofthespaceindustryiswellonthewaytoaccomplishingthisauspiciousmission,andwhatheenvisionsforthefutureofspacetravel!(NiftyFifty2012)

GlenWhitney,Ph.D.–Hatemath?Learnhowthismathematiciangaveupalucrativecareerhasahedgefundalgorithmmanagertoestablishthenation’sfirst-everinteractivemathmuseumforkidscalledtheMathFactory!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)EdithWidder,Ph.D.–Holdontoyourseatsasthisnotedmarinescientisttakesyoudeepbelowtheoceantoexperiencethespectacularlightsofbioluminescenceemanatingfromsealife!(NiftyFifty2012)CassidyWilliams–EvenbeforegraduatingrecentlyfromIowaStateUniversitywithaBachelor’sdegreeinComputerScience,shewasalreadybeingnoticed,forvariousreasons,asanemerginginnovatorinherfield--rangingfromherreputationasawinninghackathoncompetitortoherpersuasivecomputersciencepresentationsattheUnitedNationsandtheWhiteHouse.Discoverhowsheisusingherimpressivetalentstoinspireotheryoungwomenincomputationalscience--afieldinwhichfewwomenventure.(NiftyFifty2014/2015)ZdenkaWillis–TheresearchfindingsfromthisNOAAoceanscientistareeye-opening,includingthediscoveryofcommondrugsnowbeingfoundinmarinelifeoffourshores.Discoverwhatthisportendsforthehealthofouroceans,andwhatcanbedone!(NiftyFifty2015/2016)ScottWilloughby–What'sinvolvedinthemassiveundertakingtodevelopthenext-generationspacetelescopetoreplaceHubble?FindoutfromthisnotedengineerwhoisheadingNorthropGrumman'sambitiousplanstointroducetheJamesWebbTelescopebytheendofthedecadetocaptureimagesoftheBigBangastheyappearedmorethan13.7billionyearsago!(X-STEM2014)NoahWilson-Rich,Ph.D.-ThisprominentbiologistandfounderoftheBestBeesCompanytakesyouinsidethefascinatingworldofhoneybees,demonstratingwhyweshouldallbeconcernedabouttheirendangeredplightandwhatcanbedonetosavethem.(X-STEM2017)PeterWinkler,Ph.D.–Welcometotheworldofthisleadingmathematicianwherethemysteryofmathematics,computationandnumbersareexplainedthroughthewizardryofpuzzles!(X-STEM2014)SteveWolf–Theworkofthiswell-knownHollywoodfilmstuntperformerandspecialeffectscoordinatorhasappearedinsuchmoviesasTheFirm,TheLastBoyScout,andCastAway.Now,fastenyourseatbeltsasSteve(founderofScienceintheMovies,andpresidentofSpecialFXInternational)takesyoudeepinsidethewondersofphysicsandchemistryviathemagicofstuntdemonstrations--fromamazingpyrotechnicstounbelievablevehicularcrashes!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)JeremyWolfePh.D.–Discoverfromthisnotedpsychologisthowourbrainandeyesworktogetherinamazingwaystoperformthemyriadvisualsearchtasksweconducteachday.Andlearnhowhislabisworkingwithradiologists,airportsecurityscreenersandthemilitaryinimprovingtheirvigilanceandaccuracyinthepotentiallylife-savingvisualtaskstheyconduct!(NiftyFifty2013/2014)

JoshWolfe–Learnhowthisentrepreneurishelpingtopropelfuturetechnologicaladvancesinbiotechnologythroughtheworldofventurecapitalinvestment!(NiftyFifty2010,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)RichardWrangham,Ph.D.–DiscoverfromthisrenownedHarvardUniversityprimatologist,whostudiedasagradstudentunderthefamousJaneGoodall,howhisgroundbreakingresearchinUgandawithchimpanzeesissheddinglightonkeyevolutionarytraitswhichmakeushuman,includingaggressionandourneedforsocialsystems!(NiftyFifty2014/2015)JoshWurman,Ph.D.–Discoverfirst-handfromthisoriginalstormchaserwhatit’sliketotrackandstudydeadlytornadoesacrosstheKansaslandscapeandstaredownwickedhurricanesofftheGulfofMexico!(NiftyFifty2012,X-STEM2014)DavidZahren–ThisscienceeducatorinPrinceGeorge'sCounty,MDiswidelyknownamongstudentsandteachersasthehost,writerandproducerofsuchscienceacademiccompetitionsastheScienceBowl,It'sAcademic,andGiveScienceaHand,andastheweekendweathermanforWashingtonDC'sWJLA-ABC7/NewsChannel8.Discoverhowhekeepsstudentsscience-motivatedthroughthesevenues!(NiftyFifty2013/2014,NiftyFifty2015/2016)CarlZimmer–He’sratedasoneofthemosttalentedsciencewritersinthenation.Explorewithhimthemysteriesofevolutionandneuroscienceashetakesyouonafascinatingjourneythroughhiswork,rangingfromTheTangledBank,andParasiteRex,toSoulMadeFlesh.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014)MarleneZuk,Ph.D.–Thisnotedevolutionarybiologistandauthorwilltakeyoudeepinsidethemysteryofinsects,thelifestyleofcavemenandotherevolutionaryfascinations!(X-STEM2014)AndrewZwicker,Ph.D.–Hearwhythisphysicistfeelsthatthestudyofplasmasgets“norespect”inscienceeducation,andwhathe’sdoingtochangethat.(NiftyFifty2012,NiftyFifty2013/2014,X-STEM2015)AntoniaZaferiou–Whatdomechanicalengineeringanddancinghaveincommon?Thismechanicalengineer(anddancer)--fromtheDivisionofSportsMedicineatRushUniversity--wouldbehappytoenlightenyouabouthowshecombinestheprinciplesofphysics,biomechanics,andbiologyinanunforgettablepresentation!(NiftyFifty2014/2015,X-STEM2017)AndreaZiomek,FestoCorporation–Delveintotheamazingworldofbio-inspiredinnovationwiththisgloballeaderasitdemonstrateshowit'schangingtheworldofmanufacturingwithtechnologyinspiredbythepenguin,jellyfishandotherwondersofnature!(X-STEM2016)