John Medina
Brain Scientist
Wherever the very latest neuroscience intersects with real-world challenges facing the workplace, classroom..
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Full Bio
Wherever the very latest neuroscience intersects with real-world challenges facing the workplace, classroom, homelife or healthcare, and our everyday lives, you’ll find energizing insights from brain scientist John Medina. His client-customized presentations, based on his own research and the findings of others share a common takeaway: How to optimize the performance of the performance of the human brain by improving practices, interactions and environments. Whether you’re looking to maximize productivity, enhance creativity and innovation, improve learning and engagement, design brain-healthy spaces, make better hiring choices, or understand teenage behavior, Dr. Medina unlocks solutions and explains the fascinating inner-workings of the human brain with his trademark humor and enthusiasm.
Acknowledged as one of the most engaging and crowd-pleasing speakers in the world of neuroscience, Dr. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine (Department of Bioengineering). His research interests focus on the genes behind brain development and psychiatric conditions. He was the Founding Director of the Talaris Research Institute, studying how infants encode and process information at the cognitive, cellular and molecular level.
Dr. Medina spent most of his professional life as an analytical research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research related to mental health. These interests – and the ability to speak about them in plain English – span the entire range of the human experience, traceable by the 10 books he’s written. These include: early childhood (Brain Rules for Baby), adolescence (Attack of the Teenage Brain) and post-secondary life/adulthood (Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving at Work, Home and School). Many have been celebrated as standard handbooks for understanding the brain and optimizing its performance. One of them, the New York Times bestselling Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving at Work, Home and School, has been translated into more than 20 languages and selected as a textbook at numerous universities. His latest book, Brain Rules for Aging Well, describes how to keep the organ sharp and fit as we get older.
Dr. Medina has recently expanded his professional interests into the corporate world, from tech business practice to architecture and healthcare. He regularly speaks on topics ranging from increasing management effectiveness to designing creative brain-friendly office buildings, from unconscious bias and sexual harassment training to how to give non-boring presentations.
Partnering with the Seattle-based Venture Worxs organization, Dr. Medina regularly speaks on topics speculating what the future of work will look like if evidence-based practices – rooted in the cognitive neurosciences – are taken seriously in workplace design.
He and his team work collaboratively with clients to understand his audiences and tailor his presentations to fit specific interests and challenges. Dr. Medina’s high-energy keynotes consistently receive high ratings and resounding applause. As one corporate chair praised “He was the talk of the conference – a rare combination of brilliance and engaging presentation style.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Returning to the Office is Hard Work. Here’s How to Make It Easier
The Adolescent Brain: Attack of the Teenage Brain: Teaching the Adolescent Learner
The Aging Brain: How to Keep Your Brain Sharp After 50: Brain Rules for Aging Well
Videos
Brain Rules - John Medina
Nobody's Born Sexist Teaser Video - John Medina
Books
News
Testimonials
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