The Neuroscience of Personal Excellence

Ronald Duren Jr. is an Interim Undergraduate Director and Teaching Associate Professor in the Engineering Management Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he has been a faculty member since 2016. With over two decades of industry experience, he teaches courses on topics such as Leadership Dynamics and the Neuroscience of Leadership, integrating his extensive background in engineering management, aviation, and athletics into his curriculum. Duren is also an accomplished aerobatic pilot and aircraft builder, and he has demonstrated remarkable mental resilience through completing ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons. His diverse experiences, including being a semi-professional baseball player and rodeo bull rider, contribute to his unique teaching style. He holds multiple degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management, is a published author, podcast host, and inventor with four design patents. Outside of academia, he enjoys flying his self-built aircraft and pursuing various athletic challenges, inspiring his students to approach life with enthusiasm and adaptability.