Online
Teaching Vita
Education
Ph.D.
Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science, George Mason University, May 2020.
Dissertation Title: The Loop Trail Quest: Use of a Choice-based digital simulation,
interactive video, and booklet to analyze decision-making of park visitors
MPH
Global Health | Health Services Administration & Planning
School of Public Health,
University of Hawaii, 1999.
BA
English
Wesleyan University
Academic Appointments
August 2018 – present.
Associate Professor (Term)
School of Integrative Studies
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
George Mason University.
August 2016 – May 2018.
Instructor
Environmental Science & Policy Department
College of Science
George Mason University
August 2013 – May 2016.
Adjunct Faculty
Global and Community Health Department
College of Public Health
George Mason University
August 2019 – present.
Affiliate Faculty
Institute for Sustainable Earth
George Mason University.
Teaching Experience
Courses Taught
INTS 410: Contemporary Health Issues: Intersections of Science, Health, and Society (Mason Core)
Online: Synchronous & Asynchronous
INTS 210: Sustainable World (Mason Core)
Online: Synchronous & Asynchronous
INTS 249: Digital Literacy
Online: Synchronous & Asynchronous
DSGN 101: Introduction to Design Thinking (University Flagship)
Online: Synchronous & In-Person
INTS 204: Leadership Theory and Practice
Online: Asynchronous
INTS 391: Understanding Integrative Studies
Online: Synchronous
INTS 275: Systems Thinking: Health, Medicine & Society
In-Person
EVPP 337: Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries
In-Person
GCH 205: Introduction to Global Health
In-Person
GCH 405: Global Health: History and Systems
In-Person
GCH 465: Community Health Capstone
In-Person
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Courses Developed as Mason Core and/or Minor
DSGN 101: Introduction to Design Thinking
INTS 410: Contemporary Health Issues: Intersections of Science, Health, and Society
Academic Mentorship
Venkatechari, R. (May 2023-present). Doctoral Committee Chair, Environmental Science & Policy Department, George Mason University.
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Al-rusawi, M. Patriot Green Fund faculty mentor, (May 2023-present). Bioremediation of Mason Pond, George Mason University.
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Chih Hao Huang (January 2022-February 2025). George Mason University PhD student engaged as a game data analyst for prediction, classification, and clustering of adolescent girl gamers' behaviors for impacting health outcomes. Student supported to present at an international conference. See conference presentations and publications.
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Patrick Baxter (June 2021-July 2022). George Mason University PhD student engaged to support the development, statistical data analysis and interpretation of an impact evaluation study design of a digital game. Student supported to present at an international conference.
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Cruz-Gonzalez, A., Dolkun, M., & Tareq, A. (Fall 2022). Patriot Green Fund faculty mentor, "Grub-n-go", George Mason University. Awarded $500 mini grant for a communal refrigerator to reduce food waste.
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Baig, S., Cook, A., Elmewafy, K., Hassan, M., & Jacobsen, G. (Fall 2022). Patriot Green Fund faculty mentor, "Swap and Hop", George Mason University. Awarded $500 mini grant for a pop-up thrift store.
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Hanna, K. (April 2021). 2021 CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium, George Mason University. Clean & Green Campaign (Application of the Design Thinking process) [Abstract]. Virtual presentation.
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Ashby, E. (Summer 2019 – Spring 2020). George Mason University graduate student engaged as data scientist and research assistant for field research in support of the Loop Trail Quest Research Study (see peer-reviewed publication list and co-authorship).
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Butler-Cefalo, A., Delos, M., & Trock, N. (Summer 2019). George Mason University undergraduate students hired and trained as data collectors for research support of the Loop Trail Quest Research Study (see peer-reviewed publication list and acknowledgement of students).
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Donlon-Moyer, D. (Summer 2019). Undergraduate student hired and trained as research coordinator for research support of the Loop Trail Quest Research Study.
Rhoades, B., & O’Neal, R. (April 15, 2019). 2019 CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium, George Mason University. Using the Design Process for a 'Bottom-Up' Climate Adaptation Model [Abstract].
Imadi, D. (April 30, 2018). 2018 CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium, George Mason University. The Importance of the Environment and Energy Infrastructure in long-term stabilization of Post-Conflict Communities: A Case Study into Raqqa [Abstract].
Service
Global & National
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Member, IPB Network (invited) Implementing Best Practices, World Health Organization (2019 to present)
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President’s Malaria Initiative, Strategic Behavior Change Communication Working Group (appointed) (2015-2019)
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Dean’s Advisory Board Member (appointed), Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado. (January 2023 – present)
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University
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Invited Reviewer, Office of Faculty Affairs & Development, Faculty Success Framework (Nov 2025)
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Faculty member, Patriot Green Fund, (2023-present)
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Affiliate Faculty, Institute for Sustainable Earth (August 2019 – present)
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Member, Design Thinking Committee, Provost Initiative (2019 – 2022)
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Invited Reviewer, Office of Institutional Assessment, “Critical Thinking Assessment” (Summer 2015).
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Departmental
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Member, School of Integrative Studies, Teaching and Intellectual Life Committee (2024-present)
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Member, School of Integrative Studies Assessment Committee (2022-2023)
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Reviewer, Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Entrepreneurship (2018-present)
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Member, School of Integrative Studies Sustainability Committee (2018-2020)
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Member, School of Integrative Studies Curriculum Committee (2020-2022)
Peer-Reviewed Publications on Digital Learning Innovations
Raj, A., Shankar, L., Dixit, A., Saha, A., Battala, M., Khan, N., Ayyagari, K., Saggurti, N., & Howard, S. (2025). Enhancing reproductive health among adolescent girls in India: results of an individualized RCT to study the efficacy of the go Nisha go mobile game. Reproductive health, 22(1), 48.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-025-02005-1
Raj, A., Quilter, I., Ashby, El, Dixit, A., Howard, S., (9 January 2023), Psychographic profiling — a method for developing relatable avatars for a direct-to-consumer mobile game for adolescent girls on mobile in India, Oxford Open Digital Health https://doi.org/10.1093/oodh/oqad001
Shankar L., Dixit A., Howard S., (18 April 2023), A Design-Led Theory of Change for a Mobile Game App (Go Nisha Go) for Adolescent Girls in India: Multimix Methodology Study, JMIR Publications: Advancing Digital Health and Open Science https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e43085
Saha, A., Dixit, A., Shankar, L., Battala, M., Khan, N., Saggurti, N., Ayyagari, K., Raj, A., Howard, S. (14 September 2023), Study Protocol for an Individually Randomized Control Trial for India’s first roleplay-based mobile game for reproductive health for adolescent girls. BMC Reproductive Health Journal https://reproductive-health
journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-023-01665-1
Huang, C.H., Mohandas, N., Raj, A., Howard, S., Batarseh, F., (2023) Data-driven healthcare indicators via precision gaming: with application to India. Data & Policy
Howard, S., Buttke, D., Lovejoy, T., Clark, K., Ashby, L., Aguirre, A., (1 June 2020), The Loop Trail Quest: Use of a Choice-based digital simulation, interactive video, and booklet to analyze decision-making of park visitors, Journal of Environmental Communication. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2021.1927129
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Journal and Grant Reviewer
Journal of Environmental Communication (Fall 2024) (Spring 2023)
Studies in Family Planning (Fall 2023)
Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University, Fellowship Proposal: “The Policy Experience in Equity, Climate and Health” (Summer 2022)
NEH Grant: Digital Storytelling (Fall 2021)
Invited Talks and Presentations on Digital Learning Innovations and Design Thinking
Conference Keynote
Gaming to Uncover Unseen Links Between People, Animals, and Ecosystems. (2025, November 6) 2025 One Health Conference Celebration, One Health Institute, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Design Thinking Solutions and Approaches: Other than mothers. (2017, November 14) Social Action Integrative Learning, George Mason University. Annual Hunger Banquet.
Conference Panels Chaired/Moderated:
Howard, S., Mohandas, N., Ayyagari, K., Batarseh, F., 2020 Global Digital Health Conference, Panel Moderator, A Game of Choice, Not Chance: Designing a Direct-to-Consumer Mobile Game with and for Girls in India, Washington, DC (virtual), December 9, 2020.
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Howard, S. (Chair), Banerjee, S., Serious Games and Avatars to Influence Real World Behavior Change, Global Digital Health Forum, December 9, 2019, N. Bethesda, Maryland.
Howard, S. (Chair), Livermore, M., Schneider, A., Practicing Design-thinking: Case Studies from Asia and Africa. Accepted symposium presentation at the NCSE’s 18th National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy and the Environment: The Science, Business, and Education of Sustainable Infrastructure: Building Resilience in a Changing World. January 23-24, 2018, Washington, DC.
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Conference Papers accepted/presented
Howard, S., Shankar, L., (2023, December 4-7). Creativity and Rigor at Play: The Application of a Multilayered Theory of Change to an award-winning role play game [Oral Presentation]. Global Digital Health Conference, Bethesda, MD.
Howard, S., (2023, December 4-7). Failing Fast: Lessons from Designing and Developing a USAID-funded Digital Game for Adolescents in India [Oral Presentation]. Global Digital Health Conference, Bethesda, MD.
Raj, A., Howard, S., (2023, December 4-7). Implementing a game-changing evaluation model to suit fussy researchers and serious game developers [Oral Presentation]. Global Digital Health Conference, Bethesda, MD.
Mohandas, N., Howard, S., (2023, December 4-7). Big Boys Do Cry: Researching and designing a digital game for Indian boys [Oral Presentation]. Global Digital Health Conference, Bethesda, MD.
Howard, S., Huang, C.H, Cucuzza, L. (2023, September 19-21). Go Nisha Go [Oral Presentation and Exhibit]. Ed Games Expo, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC.
Howard, S., & Ashby, E. (2023, June 5-9). Park Visitors Behaving Badly [Oral Presentation]. Conference on Communication for the Environment, International Environmental Communication Association, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Shankar, L. & Howard, S. (2022, November 14-17). Application of a multi-layer theory of change for an innovative mobile game to promote agency for adolescents in India [Oral Presentation]. International Conference on Family Planning, Johns Hopkins University, Pattaya, Thailand.
Ayyagari, K. & Howard, S. (2022, November 14-17). ‘Try-again’: Simulating real-world contraceptive decision making with ‘win/loss’ outcomes through a Game of Choice, Not Chance [Oral Presentation]. International Conference on Family Planning, Johns Hopkins University, Pattaya, Thailand.
Mohandas, N. & Howard, S. (2022, November 14-17). Design testing of an innovative mobile game intervention for adolescent girls in India [Oral Presentation]. International Conference on Family Planning, Johns Hopkins University, Pattaya, Thailand.
Lalita, S. & Howard, S. (2022, December 5-9). Shaping a Theory of Change for a Strategic Pathway to Empower Girls’ Choices through Digital Media [Oral Presentation]. International Strategic Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit, Johns Hopkins University, Marrakech, Morocco.
Mohandas, N. & Howard, S. (2022, December 5-9). Can a role-play-based game empower girls by nudging contraceptive negotiation with their boyfriends? [Oral Presentation]. International Strategic Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit, Johns Hopkins University, Marrakech, Morocco.
Ayyagari, K. & Howard, S. (2022, December 5-9). Collaboration not competition: How a digital gaming platform helps integrate and share essential sexual and reproductive health resources for adolescents [Oral Presentation]. International Strategic Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit, Johns Hopkins University, Marrakech, Morocco.
Howard, S. (2022, December 5-9). The Loop Trail “Quest”: Use of a choice-based digital game to analyze decision-making of park visitors [Poster presentation]. International Strategic Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit, Johns Hopkins University, Marrakech, Morocco.
Howard, S. (2022, April 21). The Loop Trail “Quest”: Use of a Choice-based digital simulation, interactive video, and booklet to analyze decision-making of park visitors [Virtual oral presentation]. 2022 Spotlight on National Park Resources in the National Capital Region.
Howard, S., Batarseh, F., Shankar, L. (2021, October 5). Unlocking girls’ potential through gameplay [Virtual oral presentation]. YTH (Youth Tech Health) Live Global 2021.
Ayyagari, K., Howard, S. (2021, May 25). Bridging in-game decisions and choices with real life access to FP/RH information, products, and services [Virtual oral presentation]. Global Health Science and Practice Technical Exchange Conference.
Howard, S., Ayyagari, K. (2021, May 5). Unlocking girls’ potential through gameplay: How mobile games empower girls to make confident choices, develop strong voices, and gain ability to share their own futures [Virtual oral presentation]. Global Digital Development Forum.
Howard, S., Banerjee, S. (2020, August 3). Game of Choice, Not Chance: Building an immersive decision-making tool for adolescent girls in India. [Interactive virtual workshop] Youth Tech Health (YTH) Conference, San Francisco, California.
Howard, S. (2020, October 13). Synergies between entrepreneurs, academia, and the private sector to create social impact. [Virtual oral presentation]. FIESA 2020.
Howard, S. (2020, September 14-16). Gaming for Youth Engagement and Teacher Training. [Panel Discussant].mEducation Alliance Virtual Symposia.
Howard, S., Oser, R., Joyce, M., Adcox, O., (2018, December 8-9) Playing Games to Save Lives – Bringing Serious Gaming to Behavior Change [Interactive Workshop oral presentation]. 2018 Global Digital Health Forum, Washington, DC.
Howard, S., Aguirre, A. (2018). Loop Trail “Quest”: Use of choice-based digital games to analyze the feedback effect of park visitor behavior on wildlife, ecosystem, and human health. [Accepted abstract]. Planetary Health Annual Meeting, Edinburg, Scotland.
Howard, S., Aguirre, A. (2018) Loop Trail “Quest”: Use of choice-based digital games to analyze the feedback effect of park visitor behavior on wildlife, ecosystem, and human health. [Accepted abstract.] NACCB Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.
Howard, S., Pederson, B., Cogswell, L., Wakefield, C., Shah, N. (2017, September). The Global Malaria Behavior Framework: a discovery and decision-making tool to accelerate results. [Oral Presentation]. Annual Meeting of the Roll Back Malaria Communication Working Group Convening 2017, Dakar, Senegal.
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Invited Talks
GameChangers2024. Delhi, India (2024, January 18). Failing Fast to Succeed Sooner[Invited and sponsored talk].
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dean’s Advisory Board. (2024, Feb 21). Bridging the Classroom to the World [Invited talk].
USAID Working Group on Strategic Behavior Change. (2023, December 12). Creativity and Rigor at Play: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Go Nisha Go [Invited talk].
CARE International. (2023, December 13). Creativity and Rigor at Play: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Go Nisha Go [Invited talk].
USAID Brown Bag Series. (2021, February 23). A Game of Choice, Not Chance [Invited talk]. Presented at the US Agency for International Development, Bureau for Global Health, Washington, DC.
Environmental Science and Policy Department, College of Science, George Mason University. (2020-2021). Seminar Series [Invited talk]. "The Loop Trail Quest": Use of a Choice-based digital simulation, interactive video, and booklet to analyze decision-making of park visitors (postponed due to COVID).
University of Mar del Plata / US Embassy in Argentina and George Mason University, Office of International Enrollment and Partnerships. (2020, October 13). [Webinar] Social Entrepreneurship.
Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Wesleyan University. (2019, May 24). WESEMINAR Funders and Founders [Panel Discussant].
Population Services International in collaboration with USAID. (2019, December 21). National Conclave (India): Catalyzing Adolescent Health Outcomes through Technology [Panel Discussant].
College of Humanities and Social Science, George Mason University. (2019, November 11). [Design Challenge facilitation.]
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Fall Admissions Event. (2018, October 21). Professor-Student Spotlight.
The National Park Service, Great Falls, Maryland. (2017, April). Volunteers in the Park Speaker Series. [Speaker] Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, Great Falls Visitor’s Center.
The MedX Program, George Mason University. (2016, November). Global Health 'Gurus' [Invited panelist].
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Symposia: Alive and Thrive Stunting Reduction Forum. (October 2013). [Invited speaker] Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Convening: Yielding Returns by Integrating Health and Agriculture Demand Generation Convening. (December 2013). [Sponsored Speaker]. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Guest Teaching
Application of Design Thinking and Game-Based Learning Principles to Build Girl’s Agency in India: Go Nisha Go. MIEH 610. Global Health Program Planning and Evaluation, Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland, Spring 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Applied Leadership and Public Health Practice
1995 - Present
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Co-Founder & Managing Director
Howard Delafield International, LLP. (HDI)
Washington, DC
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Combine theories from the behavioral and social sciences with design thinking, game-based learning, data science, social marketing, emerging mobile technologies, and market-based approaches in the operations and management oversight of a small, women and diversely owned global consultancy driving innovation to positively impact lives.
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Focus on social, health, and environmental challenges of vulnerable and underserved populations globally. Expertise includes adolescent reproductive health, infectious diseases, nutrition, water & sanitation, maternal health, child survival, democracy & governance, and One Health.
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Create workstreams and manage workflows to ensure effective collaboration between and among developers and designers, social science researchers, data scientists, behavioral change specialists and marketing and communication professionals.
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Selected clients include USAID, KfW (German Development Fund), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, FHI360, Care International, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, Tetratech, the Manoff Group, and Chemonics.
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Cumulative grants and contracts total over $35 million. Experience in over 25 countries spanning South Asia, South-East Asia, East Africa, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Middle East and US.
Grants
Curriculum Impact Grant, Office of the Provost
AY 2018/2019, Grant implementor/Core Course Designer. Member of the Design Thinking Minor Committee to Implement Grant, $28k
Curriculum Impact Grant, Office of the Provost, AY 2018/2019
Grant co-author, conceived of and developed course modules to reflect professional development needs of sustainability professionals; co-wrote, revised, and solicited department and college feedback for successful grant. Environmental Science & Policy Department, George Mason University. $15K
Adolescent Reproductive Health Nepal, CARE USA, 2021-2025
Project Director
Managed global team to develop a digital narrative game, and accompanying web portal, social media marketing $6.1m (external to Mason)
Direct-to-Consumer Approaches to Fertility Awareness, A Game of Choice, Not Chance, USAID, 2018-2025
Project Director/Principal Investigator
Managed global team to design, develop, market, and evaluate award-winning digital narrative games, Go Nisha Go, and Go Bro to foster adolescent health. $9.9m (external to Mason)
Nominations, Awards, and Honors
Recipient, (2025)
George Mason University Presidential Faculty Excellence Award for Social Impact
Fairfax, VA.
Recipient, (2023-2024)
USAID, DigiAward
Washington, DC.
Recipient (2024)
Global Health Innovation Award
Mumbai, India.
Recipient, (November 2023)
Best Serious Game
GALA (Academic Category), Dublin, Ireland.
Recipient, (June 2023)
Best Learning Game, Games 4 Change
New York, New York.
Nominee, (June 2023)
Best Significant Impact Game, Games 4 Change,
New York, New York.
Recipient, (Spring 2019)
Career Connection Faculty Award, University Career Services,
George Mason University.
Commendations
Outstanding Performance (Fall 2014, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021).
High Student Course Evaluation Ratings for Mason Core
Office of the Provost
George Mason University.
Recipient, (Spring 2017)
Adjunct Teaching Distinction Award
George Mason University
Stearns Center for Faculty Teaching & Excellence.
“Thank-a-Teacher” Recognition by Students
(AYs 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Stearns Center for Teaching & Faculty Excellence
George Mason University.
Centennial Challenge Award (2016)
National Park Service.