Joe Dust, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
GRADUATE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL – American University
Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience PhD – College of Arts and Sciences

Joe Dust is currently a doctoral student in the Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience PhD program at AU. Before diving into the academic world, he worked as an MRI technician at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he is originally from. Joe also worked with the developmentally disabled population as a Behavior Technician, where he implemented behavioral therapy and community integration to improve social skills and quality of life. His passion for working with underprivileged youth and adults has carefully woven into his research questions about social learning in the brain, which has brought him halfway across the country to work with Dr. Catherine Stoodley!

Once a radio host at Mizzou’s college radio station KCOU, Joe is a bedroom DJ and music-making dilettante hoping to break out in the DC underground. He is also a cat dad to Meeko, loves exploring DC via ebike, and discovering new outdoor activities in the DMV area. On the off-chance that there’s some free time, he also likes to play retro games/boardgames and read Sci Fi, post-apocalyptic, and horror novels.

Joe is looking forward to blending what he knows and loves about the positive impact of community engagement into his new role as the Director of Programming & Events. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any feedback or suggestions!