Ricardo Valerdi PhD

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor at the University of Arizona. Through his work developing teams that think clearly and decide confidently, he has helped a variety of organizations make better decisions including SpaceX, the US Army, Major League Baseball, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association.

He is also a passionate advocate for STEM education for young learners. He founded the nonprofit Science of Sport, which has impacted over seven hundred thousand students by reframing math and science through the lens of sports.

Ricardo enjoys life in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, their three kids, and two energetic dogs. They keep him grounded, laughing, and forever busy—which he considers the best kind of teamwork.