Conor Russomanno


Conor Russomanno is an entrepreneur, creative technologist, and lecturer, specializing in the development of advanced human-computer interfaces. He is the co-founder and CEO of OpenBCI, a company dedicated to open source innovation of brain-computer interface technologies. Conor is also a teacher, having taught graduate level courses at Parsons School of Design and NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Early life

Conor Russomanno was born in Livingston, NJ, but spent his childhood growing up in Northern Virginia. After attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Conor was recruited to Columbia to play NCAA college football. After playing college football for 1 year, Conor quit and joined Columbia's rugby club, CURFC. He then served as the club's president and was voted first-team All-Ivy Fullback as a senior.

Career

As an undergraduate at Columbia University, Conor studied civil engineering & engineering mechanics while teaching computer graphics and developing Unity-based virtual environments under NSF funding. Conor later discovered brain-computer interfacing as a Design & Technology MFA student at Parsons School of Design. After graduating from Parsons, Conor led two successful Kickstarter campaigns, raising close to $500,000, allowing him to develop OpenBCI. Conor has also worked as an adjunct faculty at Parsons School of Design and NYU's Interactive Telecommunication Program, where he has taught Creative Coding, Brain Hacking, Designing Consciousness, and a number of other courses. He now teaches a course titled "Neuromachina: Man & Machine" at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Conor now serves as a "Something In Residence" in the ITP program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

Speaking Engagements & Workshops