Created by an expert tutor and a designer, Virtual Nerd gives students a new option to turn to when they need help. For a fraction of the cost of private tutoring, students gain access to hundreds of interactive step-by-step video tutorials that match up with the practice problems in their textbook. Virtual Nerd’s patent-pending e-Learning system anticipates students’ questions, so they can easily drill down to related tutorials if they get confused. The innovative design makes it easy for students to stay focused. Plus, unique reporting features mean parents and teachers can stay involved with students’ progress.
Josh Salcman
President, Co-Founder,
Chief Marketing & Technology Nerd
Josh’s education and professional experience span a rare mix of both highly-creative and highly-analytical pursuits and accomplishments. He holds a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University and an M.F.A. in Product Design from Pratt Institute. Josh led user interface design for major corporate clients as a consultant for IBM. Most recently, he led internet marketing efforts at Metaphase Design Group and helped define product design strategies for a range of corporate clients.
At Virtual Nerd, Josh’s full-time responsibilities include design and development of Virtual Nerd’s patent-pending e-Learning Platform, as well as Virtual Nerd’s business and marketing strategy. He designed and coded the beta versions of Virtual Nerd’s e-Learning Platform and will continue to oversee refinement and implementation of all products and services.
Josh is a founding officer of the Saint Louis chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America and currently serves as the chapter’s Treasurer. He is also on the Advisory Committee for the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. In his spare time, Josh is an avid (if not accomplished) road cyclist.
Leo Shmuylovich
Vice President, Co-Founder,
Chief Educational Content Nerd
As a 6th year MD/PhD Student at Washington University in St. Louis, Leo is currently working on his PhD in Physics. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 3 years and was named a Merrill Presidential Scholar, one of the University’s highest honors.
Beginning in college, Leo has devoted a significant portion of his time to sharing his passion for math and science in both private and group tutoring environments. As a tutor and lecturer for The Princeton Review, Leo taught MCAT Physics and Biology classes, as well as SAT Math classes, to hundreds of students. Leo has also worked individually with students on SAT, SAT II, AP exams, and science and math courses at both the high school and college level.
At Virtual Nerd, Leo’s responsibilities include design and development of Virtual Nerd’s educational content, as well as design and testing of Virtual Nerd’s e-Learning Platform. He has developed several automated methods for creation of content related to individual tutorials, and will continue to oversee the design, content, and semi-automated creation of Virtual Nerd’s educational offerings.
In his free time, Leo and his wife Ilana are competitive ballroom dancers. Seriously. They’re good.