Michael Mannino is a distinguished academic and professional with a multifaceted background in neuroscience, philosophy, and astrophysics. Currently serving as the Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center at Miami Dade College, he provides leadership and oversight for all AI initiatives at this major educational institution. His role includes developing industry partnerships, programs, and curricula, leveraging his extensive interpersonal skills and deep expertise in artificial intelligence.

With a Ph.D. in neuroscience and complex systems, Michael possesses a profound understanding of scientific, mathematical, statistical, modeling, and coding skills. His research in computational cognitive neuroscience focused on large scale brain networks and their role in cognitive processes such as decision-making, attention, and perception. This work incorporated sophisticated concepts like self-organization, emergence, pattern formation, nonlinear dynamics, chaos theory, information theory, and time series analysis.

Michael’s graduate work in philosophy has equipped him with exceptional writing, critical thinking, logical reasoning, ethical consideration, and communication skills. He specializes in various philosophy domains, including the philosophy of mind and consciousness (with a focus on embodied cognition), philosophy of science, moral philosophy, philosophy of economics, and philosophy of religion.

As an adjunct professor, he imparts his knowledge in philosophy, critical thinking, psychology, and comparative religion at Miami Dade College. His foundational education in astrophysics and space sciences, coupled with his experience at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, add to his diverse and rich academic profile.

Michael’s passions are eclectic yet interconnected, focusing on brain-related studies (including AI, brain-computer interfaces, cognitive enhancement, and neurotechnology), fitness and functional movement in relation to embodied cognition, critical thinking, philosophy, ethics, science communication, public speaking, science policy, and literacy.