Courtesy of Ron Gdovic, Ph.D.

Curiosity Expert: Ron Gdovic, Ph.D.

IT Entrepreneur & University of Phoenix Faculty Member

• University of Phoenix on YouTube
• "Is Broadband a Fundamental Human Right?"
• "Can Society Truly Communicate in 140 Characters or Less?"

Ronald Gdovic brings more than 20 years of experience to the classroom for the University of Phoenix's College of Natural Sciences, College of Information Systems & Technology and School of Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and also has a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

Ron is the Founder of BuzzSwat and is focused on the explosive growth of social media as a disruptive technology for corporate intelligence, security, and brand management. BuzzSwat turns social media chatter into social media intelligence.

Most recently, Ron was the president of a successful leading-edge public company specializing in online marketing and product development. Prior to that, he held the distinguished position of Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Information Technology and Society at Carnegie Mellon University. He was also the executive director of a progressive technology company resolved to establish Greater Pittsburgh as the leader in advancing social, educational and economic development agendas through innovative use of information technology.

Ron was a Faculty Editor and is currently a member of the National Advisory Board for I/S A Journal of Law and Policy, which is an interdisciplinary journal of research and commentary concentrating on the intersection of law, policy, and information technology published by The Ohio State University.

He has launched several companies in varied industries ranging from telecommunications to industrial materials to land and natural resource management and development. He remains an active leader on the boards of these organizations and today is focused on sustainable development of natural gas resources in the U.S.

Ron also assisted the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Infrastructure Administration with programs to expand broadband access and spur economic growth under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He is considered an authority in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and telecommunications infrastructure and policy and is a member of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Technology Leaders Association.

Ron has appeared as a visiting scientist on the Discovery Channel's MythBusters series and hosts a talk show about outdoor sports and recreation called Adventuradio.