Mariale Hardiman, Ed.D. is the Assistant Dean for Urban School Partnerships and Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at The Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She also led the School of Education as interim dean from January through September 2010. Hardiman is co-founder and director of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education’s Neuro-Education Initiative. This cross-disciplinary program brings to educators relevant research from the brain sciences to inform teaching and learning through regional conferences, national summits, a professional development series, and a graduate level certificate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching. Her research and publications focus on enhancing educational practices through techniques that foster innovation and creative problem-solving for all students. Dr. Hardiman’s work has also led to the creation of partnerships within the University and community such as a leadership academy for Baltimore City Schools and collaborations with organizations that support the development of schools and communities in Baltimore. Before joining Johns Hopkins in 2006, Hardiman served in the Baltimore City Public Schools for more than 30 years. As the principal of Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, she led the school to its designation as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. With the use of the Brain-Targeted Teaching Model that Hardiman developed, the school was recognized by the Kennedy Center as a School of Distinction for arts programming and arts integration. Hardiman presents nationally and internationally on topics related to the intersection of research in the neuro- and cognitive sciences with effective teaching strategies, including meaningful integration of the arts. Hardiman earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Loyola University Maryland, and her doctorate in education from The Johns Hopkins University.