The Wavelengths Book Development Team

The Hopkins authors and their writing partners work in concert with this team to verbally and visually develop each book.

The Wavelengths portfolio of books and external partner projects is developed and managed by Director of Strategic Engagement, Anna Marlis Burgard. Taking inspiration from her decades of editorial and graphic creative direction—and bringing the fruits of intellectual discovery to public, governmental, and higher education audiences—she now applies her skills to serve Hopkins researchers. From art directing logos, data visualizations, and book covers to editing the manuscripts and contributing original writing to the books, soliciting endorsements, designing media campaigns and events, and initiating and building external partnerships, she possesses the rare ability of translating complex concepts for the intellectually curious. She balances the aesthetics, narratives, business considerations, and engagement strategies that benefit not only JHU’s researchers, but the institution itself. In her spare time, Anna writes for Atlas Obscura, Chronicle Books, National Geographic Traveler, Parade, Ten Speed Press, and other media companies, and is the author and photographer for Islands of America.

Executive Editor Dr. Matthew McAdam of Johns Hopkins University Press is the acquisitions editor for the book series—an invaluable partner on the selection of authors and co-development of the book proposals. Matt’s acquisitions portfolio also includes books in the history of science, technology, medicine, and literary and ancient studies. He began in publishing after earning a PhD in philosophy from Georgetown University. A lapsed skateboarder, he now competes in marathons.

Charles Dibble has served as a senior production editor at Johns Hopkins University Press since 2019. He previously held editorial and research positions at Dumbarton Oaks, the National Gallery of Art, Brookings Institution Press, the American Research Center in Egypt, the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, and the Walters Art Museum. He has a broad publishing background, with a particular expertise in art and archaeology. An avid gardener, he lives in one of Maryland’s oldest houses, continuously occupied since 1706, with his husband and their beagle, Benjamin “Dizzy” Disraeli.  

Graphic designer Matthew Cole is the talent behind the Wavelengths logo and the books’ design. Once an intern in Anna’s Working Class Studio industry partnerships venture at SCAD, he has served as a graphic designer, art director, and/or brand strategist for the Museum of Pop Culture, the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, and the National Park Service; his brand work includes designs for Dungeons and Dragons, the Jimmy Hendrix estate, Star Trek—and Wavelengths!

Science illustrator and data visualization specialist Nicole Kit presents what could otherwise be dense stacks of information in a clear, pleasing way for the book series. Topics include deep sea mining, fungal pathogens, and the gestation of our solar system.

Are you a Hopkins researcher who’s interested in engaging with diverse audiences?
Explore participation in the program here.