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Speaker Listing

Pedram Daneshgar, Ph.D.

He received a Ph.D. from University of Florida.

Expertise: Dr. Danesghar can speak on Ecology and Botany, invasive species, ecosystem restoration, and rare species.

Association(s): School of Science

Presentation(s):

Endangered species

Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups

Fruits and Flowers

Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School

Invasive species

Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups

Restoration

Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups

Lisa Dinella, Ph.D.

Her research program is housed at the Gender Development Laboratory at Monmouth University, where she studies the social and interpersonal factors that influence individuals academic and career pursuits. She received a Ph.D. in Family Science, with concentrations in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development from Arizona State University.

Expertise: Dr. Dinella can speak on the following topics: gender identity, academic achievement, and career development.

Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Presentation(s):

The Power of Pink: Does the Color of a Toy Really Matter?

This talk discusses the marketing strategy of selling pink and blue toys for girls and boys. The consequences of labeling toys as “girl toys” or “blue toys” are discussed.

Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups

Princesses and Superheroes as Role Models: The Media Influence on Children and Young Adults

This talk discusses recent scientific findings on how kids and young adults incorporate princesses and superhero characters into their thoughts about being a girl or a boy.  The role of media and marketing is included in the talk.

Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups

Research in Schools

This talk reviews current tactics and strategies to unite school stakeholders and researchers in ways that benefit both groups.

Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University

Women, the media, and Body Image

Talk discusses the role of media in young girls’ lives, and their perceptions of themselves and their bodies.

Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups

Masculinity Development in Adolescence

This talk is designed to provide an overview of current research in the area of masculinity development for young men. It covers relevant (and sometimes controversial) topics such as the impact of media and cultural scripts on young men’s perspectives of what it means to be a man, sexual orientation and identity, and bullying/victimization.

Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups

Psychology of the Twilight Series

This talk shows how marriage and family therapy techniques can be applied to families, using the Twilight Series’ families (the Swans, Cullens, and werewolf clans) as models.

Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups

Noah Hart Jr., Ed.D.

He received an Ed.D. from Rutgers University.

Expertise: Hart can speak on the following topics: megatrends, organization governance; strategic planning and organization development; corporate social responsibility; workplace relationships and workplace development; the evolving environment for colleges and universities; evolving college student development practices; ethics, diversity and social responsibility; career counseling; and professional coaching.

Association(s): Leon Hess Business School

Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Karen Pesce, Ph.D.

She received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.

Expertise: Dr. Pesce can speak on the following topics: environmental microbiology; impacts of human activities on the environment; and teaching science through authentic learning.

Association(s): School of Science

Presentation(s):

Environment and Human Health

Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, Community Groups

How Microbes Rule The World

Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Community Groups

Practical Applications of Authentic Learning in the Sciences

Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups

Joe Rapolla, MBA

Joe Rapolla is the music industry program director and chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts at Monmouth University. A recognized music industry innovator, he built and led integrated marketing departments at Universal and Warner Music Group. He also helped build a direct-to-consumer marketing agency and a social research agency, and ran marketing for the video game division of Def Jam Enterprises. He has directed programs for top talent, such as Madonna, Bon Jovi, U2, Green Day, and Sting, and has partnered with the world’s leading entertainment, media, and consumer brands and agencies. He has earned multiple Gold Records for his work at the music companies. He is also a performing songwriter and producer. He has released three studio CDs and film soundtrack, collaborates with top writers and artists in NYC and Nashville, and continues to perform locally and abroad. He received an MBA from Monmouth University.

Expertise: Music industry, entertainment, digital media, digital marketing, social marketing streaming, business strategy, engagement marketing, direct to consumer marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM).

Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Kenneth Womack, Ph.D.

Womack is an internationally renowned Beatles authority, having published numerous books devoted to the band’s life and times, including a two-volume biography of famed Beatles producer George Martin. His latest Beatles-related works include the bestselling books “Solid State: The Story of Abbey Road and the End of the Beatles” (2019), “John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life” (2020), and “Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans” (2023). Over the years, he has shared his work with public libraries and community organizations across the nation, including audiences at Princeton University, Harvard University, the Smithsonian Institution, the Grammy Museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the 92nd Street Y. He has served as an expert commentator for the BBC, NPR, ABC’s 20/20, Fox Business’s “American Built,” MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” and NBC’s “Access Hollywood.”

Expertise:

Womack offers multimedia presentations about a wide range of subjects, including the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and popular music.

Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School