Schools

from Preston Hollow People April 2022

by People Newspapers

Sports

HOW DO OUR BRAINS REACT TO INTROVERTS?

St. Mark’s student uses neuroscience, interviews to study biases

By Greg Nielsen

People Newspapers

St. Mark’s School of Texas senior Zubin Metha sees himself as an introvert living in a world in love with extroverts.

People tend to be “attracted to the familiar,” he said, but his question is: “Why can’t I just be who I am?”

During the 2019 summer break, his search for answers prompted him to study unconscious personality bias. Working with Michelle Adams, founder of Marketing Brainology in Plano, he’s combined electroencephalogram (EEG) test results and interviews with business and government leaders to study how people react to introverts.

Adams and Metha used the EEGs, which detect electrical activity, to see how people’s brains reacted in certain situations.

The tests appeared to provide evidence of an unconscious bias against the introverted and a desire for the familiar, Metha said.

He used interviews to see if and how that played out in real life.

Mehta sent out 100s of emails. He didn’t always get a response, but those who did reach back would often put him in contact with others who would help.

Many did video interviews

Zubin Mehta, and his father, Nimesh Mehta, sit for an interview with Michelle Adams, founder of Marketing Brainology in Plano. Zubin Mehta and other participants in his research got electroencephalogram (EEG) tests to see how their brains reacted to various

personalities. (PHOTOS: COURTESY ZUBIN MEHTA)

for his website. And his interview subjects weren’t small time. He talked to the likes of former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, Toyota Motor CFO Tracey Doi, and Illuma Labs CEO Milind Borkar.

Mehta was surprised to learn how many of the leaders he talked to considered themselves introverted. Introverts acting extroverted to get noticed or get by proved a recurring theme. “People will take on assumed behaviors to get to a goal,” Mehta explained, but added, “I’ve found zero ex-

Why can’t I just amples of extroverts being be who I am? introverted (to Zubin Mehta get ahead).” It’s a lot of work to conduct interviews, go to school, and do all the other activities associated with being in high school, Mehta said. “It helped that it started over summer break because there was less to do, but you make time for what you’re passionate about. If it means I miss a social or sporting event here or there, it’s OK.”

Mehta wants to keep doing the interviews with leaders because those make the neuroscience aspect of the project relatable and the information easier to process, he said.

Mehta also hopes his project will help younger people, not just by showing them how to interact with others but also by encouraging them to realize their value, he said. “I’ve definitely grown confidence from the experience.”

CHECK IT OUT

Visit zubinmehta.me to learn more about Zubin Mehta’s research and view his interviews with various leaders.

Personalities And Pluralism: Empathy Provides Path to Inclusion

When we think of leadership, we generally think that extroversion rules. Most of us are encouraged to be outgoing, talkative, enthusiastic, and make every effort to fit into an extro-

ZUBIN MEHTA verted persona to be viewed as leaders, raising the question, “Aren’t personalities a part of the pluralism of we?”

My science-based electroencephalography (EEG) study indicated that people, both introverted and extroverted, are drawn towards extroversion.

The same study indicated a preference to masquerade to fit in over identifying as an introvert, as it’s often seen as a weakness.

Concerned that masquerading to extroversion creates an echo chamber and the loss of diversity in thought, I began uncovering insights through leadership interviews.

I interviewed Dr. Stephanie Knight, dean of the Simmons School of Education at SMU, who described to me how “academia has favored extroverts; those who talk most get noticed, but not necessarily have the best idea.”

To change that, “You must model what

Zubin Mehta interviewed Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brenda T. Rhoades of the Eastern District

of Texas. (PHOTO: COURTESY ZUBIN MEHTA)

civil discourse looks like,” says Collin Igoe, Upper School head at St. Mark’s School of Texas.

Shyam Venkat, CIO at Pepsi, explained: “there is lots of focus on racial (and) gender diversity which are important, but often thought diversity takes a backseat.”

This got me thinking about what we have learned about human diversity from our past leaders and how that applies to our future.

In fact, “Introverts have made great leaders; many of our forefathers are classically introverts,” said Genevieve Collins, who ran for Congress in 2020.

And these differences are a part of our future, so “putting people in boxes takes their potential away,” explained Mehran Assadi, CEO for National Life Group.

To get the best out of people, “embrace personality differences,” said Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brenda Rhodes of the Eastern District of Texas.

To succeed, we need EMPATHY to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to the forefront.

E — Engage with new rules that break the paradigm by determining personality types.

M — Meet people where they are versus having them try to match your personality.

P — Pause to process. Allow 30 seconds to process before responding to questions.

A — Alternatives. Change from verbal to whiteboard responses.

T — Take a break. Offer a restroom break for the introvert to recharge.

H — Humanize the communication process from monologue to connection.

Y — YOU are the person that has the power to change the process — use it!

As Sean Woodroffe, chief people officer for TIAA, summarized for me, “The juxtaposition of introversion and extroversion … requires special effort to cope with situational context on the part of introverts and extroverts.”

For change to occur, we must find ways to connect with people and encourage them to participate.

That is inclusion.

Zubin Mehta is a senior at St. Mark’s School of Texas.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP: Laboratory prototypes use infrared light to illuminate hidden objects. (PHOTO:

FLORIAN WILLOMITZER/NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY) Elizabeth G. Loboa, Zhong Lu, and R. Gerald Turner; Kelvin and Jessica Beachum’s art collection includes The Night is Our Friend, oil on canvas by Dominic

Chambers. (PHOTOS: COURTESY SMU)

Researchers at SMU and Northwestern University are working on Synthetic Wavelength Holography, a technology that uses cameras to record high-resolution images and holograms of objects beyond standard lines of sight.

Imagine seeing around a corner without having to go over and look.

It works by computationally transforming real-world surfaces into imaging portals to then indirectly illuminate hidden objects and intercept the tiny fraction of light scattered by them.

“Our current sensor prototypes use visible (or invisible) infrared light, but the principle is universal and could be extended to other wavelengths,” said Northwestern’s Florian Willomitzer, who’s working with SMU’s Prasanna Rangarajan on the research. “For example, the same method could be applied to radio waves for space exploration or underwater acoustic imaging.”

They hope to develop NonLine of Site (NLoS) cameras that are compact, fast, and easy to use.

Such cameras could allow users to get images through fog and use facial identification around corners and barriers. Applications could include early-warning navigation systems for vehicles and industrial inspection in tightly confined and potentially dangerous spaces and medical imaging.

Kelvin and Jessica Beachum lent 10 paintings to SMU’s Hamon Arts Library for an exhibit open through May 22 in Mildred Hawn Gallery.

“We are sharing these pieces from our collection to bring recognition to the artists,” said SMU graduate Kelvin Beachum, an offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals. “We believe that their brilliant work and shared insights will start a conversation and bring people together in a new way.”

“Narrative as Reality: A World Reimagined/ Selections from the Jessica and Kelvin Beachum Family Collection” showcases work from several artists, including Dominic Chambers, Ryan Cosbert, and Robert Hodge, who also are engaging with students in studio art and U.S. civil rights history classes.

“A glimpse into the Jessica and Kelvin Beachum Family Collection reveals an artistic world of hope, Black joy, reality, and aspiration,” curator Valerie Gillespie said.

Champions of science

Elizabeth G. Loboa, SMU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Zhong Lu, the Shuler-Foscue Chair in SMU’s Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences, have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

“The AAAS recognition from their peers is well deserved, and SMU is fortunate to benefit from their expertise and commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scientific discovery,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said.

The AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, is recognizing the scientific and social achievements of 564 individuals across 24 scientific disciplines.

Honored by King of Spain

SMU President R. Gerald Turner received the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Católica, a decoration granted by King Felipe VI of Spain in recognition of extraordinary civil character and accomplishments benefiting Spain.

Santiago Cabanas, ambassador of Spain to the United States, and Julia Olmo y Romero, consul general of Spain, presented the honor on Feb. 18 at SMU’s Meadows Museum.

“Dr. Turner’s unwavering support of the Meadows Museum and steadfast support of Spain through his backing of numerous Spanish programs has enabled SMU to become a beacon for the promotion of Spanish culture in America,” said Janet Kafka, honorary consul for Dallas-Fort Worth.

– Compiled by Greg Nielsen

The National Charity League Mockingbird Chapter recently celebrated the Ticktocker Class of 2022 – 26 young women for six years of community service totaling 4,721 hours.

Those high school seniors from Dallas Lutheran School, Episcopal School of Dallas, Ursuline Academy, and Bishop Lynch, Woodrow Wilson, and W.T. White high schools have worked with these nonprofits: Community Partners of Dallas, Dickenson Place, Promise House, Paper for Water, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, The Forum at Park Lane, The Rise School of Dallas, Jonathan’s Place, and Carson Leslie Foundation.

Also, during the annual Senior Recognition program on Feb. 27 at the Dallas Woman’s Club, the league presented its Phoenix Award to Lisa Moreno and Laura Barnett.

The award honors senior mothers who best demonstrate the league’s core and a passion for serving the community.

The mission of the National Charity League is to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. – Staff report

FROM LEFT: Avery Zulick (Ursuline), Katheryn Wilson (Ursuline), Emma Whitley (Ursuline), Evie Trent (Bishop Lynch), Breanne Tehan (Ursuline), Abby Skelly (Ursuline), Riley Sauter (Bishop Lynch), Abbie Penn (Ursuline), Lyla Moreno (Bishop Lynch), Erin Kirby (Bishop Lynch), Page Hutcheson (Woodrow Wilson), Nicole Gossage (Ursuline), Tess Bowers (Ursuline), Mia Barnett (Dallas Lutheran), Chloe Flabiano (Ursuline), Hattie Higginbotham (Ursuline), Claudya Josselyn (Dallas Lutheran), Ella Mizerany (Ursuline), Lia Padian (Ursuline), Molly Progar (Ursuline), Lauren Sedwick (ESD), Caroline Syler (Ursuline), Sarah Theodore (Bishop Lynch), Judy Trigiani (Ursuline), Margaret Williams (W.T. White), and Claire

Wooley (ESD). (PHOTO: NCL MOCKINGBIRD CHAPTER)

Looking Great: Good Shepherd Pupils Transform Into Historical Figures

(PHOTOS: COURTESY AS GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL)

Theodore Roosevelt fans could have found themselves seeing double in early March as Good Shepherd Episcopal School fourth-graders dressed up for the annual Historical Figures Wax Museum.

The nation’s 26th president, an adventurous outdoors enthusiast and champion for national parks, proved a popular choice among the young pupils.

Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Anne Frank, Benjamin Franklin, Rosa Parks, and a beloved Marvel Comics character creator also went on display on March 1.

Who needs wax dummies when creative children stand ready to fill in as living statues representing those who have made significant historical impacts or the world a better place?