Michael A. DiSpezio

Born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Michael is a former marine biologist and lab assistant to Nobel Laureate, Albert Szent-Györgyi. While working in the research lab, he discovered his passion for writing, teaching and edutainment. He has written and performed/hosted for organizations that include Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson, Sterling Publishers (imprint of Barnes and Noble), National Geographic, Disney, PBS, MTV, The Weather Channel, Children's Television Workshop, Department of Energy, Discovery Channel, and Discover Magazine. Michael's specialty is in creating engaging and motivating products for a range of audiences, especially urban and under-served student populations. After leaving the research lab, he taught at the Boston University School of Nursing, before accepting teaching posts at several New England independent day schools. During that time, he segued from part time magazine writing and photography into developing both print and non-print educational resources. Most students in the US have used Michael's textbooks as part of their educational experience through the K-12 environment. They are also quite familiar with his range of trade books that not only allow students to create understanding, but motivate and engage them beyond the reading experience. In addition, his face is familiar to them as host to the JASON Project broadcasts along with dozens of classroom videos on topics of STEM and engineering!